Sandie Boswell Discusses Enhancing Employee Wellbeing
Grant Thornton Australia’s Innovative Work-Life Balance Strategy
Introduction to Work-Life Balance in Tax Firms
Tax specialists often work extensive hours to fulfill client expectations. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for better work-life balance, prompting organizations like Grant Thornton Australia to rethink how they support their employees. Among the solutions proposed is the introduction of a "nine-day fortnight," which allows employees to take an extra day off every two weeks, essentially giving them time to relax and recharge.
Sandie Boswell’s Commitment to Employee Well-being
Sandie Boswell, who serves as the chief managing partner for tax at Grant Thornton Australia, is a strong advocate for work-life balance. She emphasizes the importance of taking time off for personal activities. "I often use my extra time for grocery shopping, spending time with my mother, or picking my daughter up from school. I also find time to go to the gym," Boswell shares. This approach not only benefits her personally but also sets a positive example for her team of 200 employees.
Analyzing Employee Engagement with Time Off
Despite the availability of extra time off, Boswell noticed that not all team members were utilizing this benefit. To address this, she employed Microsoft Excel’s Copilot to analyze work schedules across different business areas and employee grades. By understanding where time off was being underutilized, Boswell collaborated with managers to encourage their teams to take advantage of this time.
The Role of Microsoft 365 Copilot
Another key observation made by Boswell was that employees using Microsoft 365 Copilot were more likely to take their paid time off. This AI assistant has been implemented for about 500 staff members at Grant Thornton Australia, achieving a remarkable 99 percent adoption rate.
Boswell points out, "It’s a virtuous cycle: more people are taking their time off because Copilot helps them accomplish their tasks more efficiently." Individual productivity has seen a significant boost, with Boswell herself saving two to three hours each week thanks to the capabilities of Copilot.
Copilot Usage Among Employees
In Boswell’s tax team, the use of Copilot has become quite common, with employees collectively utilizing it over 8,000 times each month. Whether it’s drafting presentations or researching tax issues, Copilot has become an integral tool in their daily tasks.
Boswell utilizes Copilot daily, recently employing it to confirm deadlines for tax legislation. In the past, this would have involved manually browsing through a subscription-based legal resource. Now, she is able to find the needed information and verify it within just three minutes using Copilot.
Optimizing Copilot for Enhanced Productivity
Boswell explains that the effectiveness of Copilot improves with precise prompts. "The more detailed I am about the scenario I need help with, the better the response," she notes. For instance, when requesting presentation drafts, Boswell provides specifics about the topic, audience, and key points to cover, greatly streamlining her preparation process compared to starting from scratch.
Another instance of Copilot’s utility occurred when Boswell looked up attendees at a networking event. By entering names and requesting information about their work backgrounds and hobbies, she discovered personal interests, such as choir participation or golf club membership—providing excellent conversation starters.
Conclusion
Grant Thornton Australia’s initiatives around employee well-being and efficiency, particularly through innovative tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot, showcase a modern approach to balancing work and personal life. Employees now have the resources they need to thrive both professionally and personally, leading to a healthier and more productive work environment.
