With its commitment to social impact, researchers at UTS Business School are tackling a wide range of business, economic and social problems through research, teaching and community engagement. Meet some of the researchers paving the way for better futures at work.
Improving the future of work and employment
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Dr Mihajla Gavin
Making flexible work a reality: Dr Rowena Ditzell and Professor Bronwen Dalton AM
Dr Rowena Ditzell and Professor Bronwen Dalton AM explore how organisations can make flexible work a reality, improving employee wellbeing while maintaining strong business outcomes.
They partnered with Unilever NZ to assess a four-day work week trial and investigate whether it would improve employee wellbeing and deliver business outcomes. The study found that the four-day workweek trial led to reduced absenteeism, greater worker engagement, improved work-life balance and improved employee wellbeing.
“Critically, all the business outcomes, the profit targets, the sales targets, were exceeded,” Bronwen said.
Rowena added that the four-day workweek trial also addressed gender inequity in the workplace.
Critically, all the business outcomes, the profit targets, the sales targets, were exceeded.
“Women were able to return to work sooner because it made it easier to secure childcare arrangements. Women were also able to take up more senior roles that they wouldn't have previously had access to because they were part-time.”
Workplace responses to domestic violence: Dr Mihajla Gavin
Dr Mihajla Gavin investigates the challenge in understanding how to implement laws and enact policies within the workplace that most effectively respond to domestic violence.
“Domestic violence, traditionally viewed as a private matter confined to the home, is a pervasive challenge that transcends personal boundaries, tipping into workplaces as well as the broader economy,” Mihajla said.
“This understanding has led to increased recognition about the role employers can play in supporting victim-survivors and fostering safe, inclusive work environments.”
Domestic violence, traditionally viewed as a private matter confined to the home, is a pervasive challenge that transcends personal boundaries, tipping into workplaces as well as the broader economy.
Mihajla alongside researchers from the UTS Business School, Curtin University, and the University of Western Australia utilised surveys and in-depth interviews to explore workplace awareness about domestic violence leave. They examined how employees can access this leave and how workplaces frame their responsibilities in addressing domestic violence.
Using economics to benefit social welfare: Professor Peter Siminski
Professor Peter Siminski and colleagues use economics to improve the lives of Australia’s most vulnerable. From evaluating government cash-giving programs to exploring intergenerational mobility as an indicator of social economic progress, their research shows how economic theories can address a range of social issues.
“In recent times the amount of economic growth we've had in Australia has declined and is projected to stay relatively low, whereas the level of inequality over recent decades has been increasing,” Peter said.