When I performed the Flex Able Certification audit with HSBC Australia, three key initiatives jumped out to me immediately as tangible proof of a genuine desire to have a workforce that reflects the diversity of the bank’s client base:
- An advocate for pay equity, HSBC Australia’s CEO Martin Tricaud has taken the Workplace Gender Equality Agency’s (WGEA) Pay Equity pledge.
- Martin has also committed to increasing the number of women in leadership positions.
- A strong commitment to flexible working practices throughout the organization.
One of the main levers for women to progress through their careers into leadership positions is genuine access to flexible work arrangements for both men and women.
“In my experience, employers who can hold their heads up high, and shout out to the world that they offer flexible work arrangements to all employees, started their journey several years before becoming Flex Able Certified. HSBC made the strategic move toward flexible work for everyone back in 2015. Their first goal was to mainstream flexible work.”
In order to achieve this, the bank rolled out training for their managers, upgraded their technology to allow the vast majority of employees to work remotely, and created and disseminated a variety of toolkits to enable their managers and employees to work through the finer details, with a HR team at the ready should anyone need guidance.
When asked, HSBC employees historically believed that flexible working was merely working from home. Whilst this is one form of flexible working, there are so many others such as working part time, changing your start and finish times for any reason as all – such as having a surf before work, or making use of an informal compressed work week to allow staff to meet their objectives, while fulfilling their potential and maintaining a healthy work and life balance.
One of the ways the bank worked to expand the range of flexible work options is through sharing the stories of how people are doing it, and why it works for them.
“Far from being a secret that you took two hours out of the day to go to a yoga class, it is celebrated and assumed that you will get your work done regardless.”
HSBC hires adults and then trusts them to get their work done.
If you have done your vision board, know your worth at work and are ready to find a company where you can have your dream career with a pathway to leadership AND have the flexibility you need, then HSBC could be the right company for you to investigate further.
Congratulations HSBC on becoming Flex Able Certified.
About the Flex Able Certification
Flexible working is not just for mothers returning to work but for those with other caring commitments, health reasons, sporting interests, people looking for an alternative to retirement and those pursuing side projects. Companies with the most engaged workforces offer flexibility and are focused on creating an inclusive culture where the reason for needing flexibility does not matter.
But how can you tell which employer is truly walking the talk when it comes to offering flexible work? WORK180’s Flex Able Certification helps job seekers know what companies place a strong focus on flexibility in addition to being an employer of choice for women.
Learn more about the Flex Able Certification here.
Flex Able Certified Employers include:
About HSBC 
HSBC is an Endorsed Employer for Women. Their workplace policies are certainly setting a standard beyond the average! CEO Martin Tricaud is a Workplace Gender Equality Agency Pay Equity Ambassador and 100% committed to creating a fair workplace. What’s on offer:
Flex Able Certified Employer
Paid parental leave → 15 weeks (primary carer) & 2 weeks (secondary carer)
Domestic Family Violence policy
Breastfeeding rooms Training & Development Paid volunteer days
Plus lots more on their Best Employer page.
Browse their jobs and apply here.
About the author 
Christina Smerdon is the Chief Flex Enabler at WORK180. She certifies employers who wish to qualify for the Flex Able Certification. She has a keen interest in driving the flexible work agenda and believe that it is the way of the future.
About WORK180
WORK180 is jobs board with a difference! We pre-screen employers on paid parental leave, pay equity, flexible working arrangements and much more. This information is not publicly listed elsewhere and is an essential tool in your job search when assessing employers. Set up your job alert with one click now.
