Australian professionals are increasingly seeking out workplaces that offer leave flexibility, staff wellbeing services and gender parity, if the latest list of Australia’s most sought-after workplaces is anything to go by.
Each year, LinkedIn Australia produces a list of the top companies most sought after by working professionals across the country, based on research that takes into account jobseeker reach and interest, engagement and retention on the professional social network.
PwC Australia has taken the number one position for a second consecutive year, topping the 2018 list. All four of the big professional services firms make the top 25, with Deloitte taking out third place, KPMG just behind in fourth position, and EY entering the list for the first time in 10th position.
The big four banks are also included in the top 25, lead by Commonwealth Bank in second position overall. Westpac follows in fifth position, NAB jumped up 10 places from last year to ninth position, and ANZ landed in 15th position.
As to why these large employers are taking out the top rankings, LinkedIn Australia says workplace flexibility is playing a part.
For example, many of the companies on this year’s list give staff flexibility when it comes to taking annual leave, such as Telstra and Qantas, which allow staff to purchase an additional two weeks of leave. KPMG, ANZ, Origin Energy and Commonwealth Bank allow employees to buy up to four weeks of extra leave and Westpac offers staff the ability to purchase up to 12 weeks of leave.
In a statement, LinkedIn Australia’s managing editor Nicolette Logue said the ability to buy and sell annual leave is a growing trend among the leading Australian companies.
“From purchasing extra holiday leave to spend time with family or cashing in unused days to boost your pay packet — it’s this freedom and flexibility that means employees are better able to balance work and home commitments and ultimately feel happier as a result,” she said.
Another common trend among the leading companies is their recent push for diversity in the workplace.
LinkedIn Australia said 57.8% of Commonwealth Bank’s staff are women, with 44.4% at manager level and above, while Westpac Group’s recent targeted recruitment campaign resulted in 140 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people accepting jobs in 2017, in addition to the bank also achieving gender parity at leadership levels.
Many of the companies in the list also promote employee wellbeing by offering a number of benefits and services to their staff. For example, Commonwealth Bank and EY offer staff access to wellbeing centres, while Macquarie Group offers hot breakfast and yoga classes.
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