90% of Hong Kong HR staff say family-friendly policies lacking, poll finds
The Equal Opportunities Commission on Tuesday urged employers to establish written policies and allow for more flexible arrangements under inclement weather, while also urging the government to introduce more types of family leave.
It gave its suggestions as part of a survey of 400 human resources professionals and 1,000 family members of workers conducted between July and October last year. About 90 per cent in the former group said their organisations lacked guidelines or policies on family-friendly employment practices.
'In Hong Kong's current competitive environment, finding or retaining a good employee actually requires a lot of effort,' said Ferrick Chu Chung-man, the commission's executive director of operations.
'We urge employers to take some friendly measures to help them retain good talent.'
According to the findings, 24 per cent to 45 per cent of human resources staff said they were unsure whether measures implemented by their employers were effective in supporting workers to look after family members, particularly those with mental health needs and children with special educational requirements, as well as the youngsters of single parents.
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