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For ACU's Professor Justin Kemp, flexible working has been an important element at each stage of his parenting journey.
Justin has worked at ACU for more than 28 years and is currently the Deputy Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences.
Earlier this year he commenced a new flexible working arrangement and began working a compressed working week.
With two children, 10-year-old Noah and 8-year-old Charlie, Justin said the arrangement has helped to ease the pressure on the family's busy home life explaining that both children have additional needs, which require regular specialist appointments. Working compressed hours means that he's able to schedule appointments to suit the family, making the balance between work and home life a lot easier.
"There are also activities happening at school which require parent volunteers and I'm now able to participate in this too," Justin said.
It's not the first time Justin has utilised the support available for parents at ACU, having previously shared the experience of taking parental leave in a part-time capacity when his first child Noah was born in 2014. He also used the leave provisions available when second child Charlie arrived in 2016.
Justin has also used flexible working to enable him to attend school events, attend appointments with the children and manage school pick-ups and drop-offs.
He explained that holding a leadership position wasn't a barrier to flexible working.
"I've always had very supportive supervisors who have been open to ideas about how we can make these arrangements work," he said.
As a supervisor, Justin also supports his team members to utilise the flexible working options available at ACU.
"Flexible working allows people to better achieve work life balance and to manage their commitments outside of work. We don't always know the full details of what these commitments entail, but they can be a real strain on people at different times in their lives".
Ultimately, flexible working and support from ACU helps to create positive outcomes for both staff and the organisation, Justin said.
"Flexible working shows staff that ACU is supportive of them, and with that, I think you achieve greater loyalty and goodwill to the organisation."
"I've been here for more than 28 years and a big part of that is the support I've received from my supervisors and colleagues, and from the organisation," he said.
ACU offers a range of flexible working options because we understand how important it is for you to balance your roles and responsibilities at work, at home and in the community.
Read more about flexible working at ACU
We are on a mission to shine a light on the incredible support we offer each other at ACU to provide an inclusive and supportive working environment. Are you a working parent, a grandparent, looking after elderly or sick parents, or navigating a child or family member with diverse needs? If you have a story to share about how you have been supported, please email the Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) team at GEDI@acu.edu.au
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