Sandie Boswell of Grant Thornton Advocates for Employee Wellbeing

Embracing Work-Life Balance: Grant Thornton Australia’s Innovative Approach

In today’s fast-paced work environment, professionals, especially those in tax-related fields, often face the challenge of managing their time effectively. The demands of meeting client deadlines can be intense, leaving little room for personal relaxation. However, Grant Thornton Australia, a renowned firm specializing in audit, accounting, and consulting, is taking proactive steps to address this issue. In response to the increased fatigue observed among their staff after the COVID-19 pandemic, the company has introduced a novel approach to enhance work-life balance: the "nine-day fortnight." This initiative effectively grants employees an extra day off every two weeks, allowing them to rest and recharge.

The Vision Behind the Nine-Day Fortnight

At the helm of this initiative is Sandie Boswell, the Chief Managing Partner for Tax at Grant Thornton Australia, based in Sydney. Boswell is a staunch advocate for the nine-day fortnight and personally benefits from the program by taking an afternoon each week to rejuvenate. She uses this time for various activities, such as grocery shopping, spending time with her family, or enjoying a session at the gym. "It’s great for giving me some time back," Boswell remarked. "Each week, I know that I have some recharge time where I can refresh, and I really look forward to it."

The Role of Technology in Enhancing Employee Experience

Interestingly, not all employees were initially taking advantage of the additional time off. To address this, Boswell leveraged technology, specifically Microsoft Excel’s Copilot feature, to analyze employee schedules. This analysis helped identify which areas of the business and which employee grades were not fully utilizing the extra day off. Managers were then enlisted to encourage their teams to embrace this valuable downtime.

Boswell also noticed an intriguing pattern: employees who were utilizing Microsoft 365’s Copilot were more inclined to take the extra time off. The AI assistant, which has been implemented for 500 employees across Grant Thornton Australia, boasts a remarkable 99% adoption rate. The firm plans to expand this initiative further.

The Virtuous Cycle of Efficiency and Relaxation

The use of Copilot has created a virtuous cycle at Grant Thornton Australia. As Boswell explained, "More people are accessing their time off because Copilot helps them get their work done faster." By streamlining tasks and enhancing productivity, Copilot allows employees to complete their work more efficiently, freeing up time for personal activities. Boswell herself saves an impressive two to three hours each week by utilizing Copilot.

Within Boswell’s tax team, 200 employees collectively use Copilot more than 8,000 times a month. This tool assists with a wide range of tasks, from drafting presentations to researching complex tax issues. Boswell relies on Copilot daily, using it to check deadlines for tax legislation, a task that previously required logging into specialized online resources and sifting through search results. With Copilot, she can obtain answers and verify sources in just three minutes.

Tailoring Technology to Meet Specific Needs

Boswell has become adept at crafting prompts for Copilot. She finds that providing detailed information about the scenario she needs help with results in better outcomes. For instance, when drafting presentations, she specifies not only the topic but also the target audience and the key points she wants to convey. In the past, she would start with a blank sheet of paper and pen to outline her talks.

Recently, Boswell used Copilot to research fellow attendees at an event. By inputting names and crafting prompts to inquire about their work and interests, she discovered valuable conversation starters, such as one person’s involvement in a choir and another’s membership in a golf club. "It’s a connector," she noted.

The Positive Impact on Workplace Culture

Grant Thornton Australia’s innovative use of technology and commitment to employee well-being demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to workplace culture. By emphasizing work-life balance and leveraging AI tools like Copilot, the company is setting a precedent for how organizations can support their staff while maintaining productivity and efficiency.

In conclusion, Grant Thornton Australia’s introduction of the nine-day fortnight and the strategic use of Microsoft 365’s Copilot have created a more balanced and efficient work environment. This approach not only benefits employees by providing them with valuable downtime but also enhances overall productivity. As more companies recognize the importance of work-life balance, Grant Thornton Australia’s model serves as a compelling example of how innovative solutions can lead to a healthier and more engaged workforce. For more information on Grant Thornton Australia and their initiatives, please visit their official website.

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