The working world has shifted dramatically in recent years as more employees demand work-life balance, and this trend has only accelerated since the onset of the pandemic. Based on research from recruitment specialists Zippia, the average employee is only productive for around 4.8 hours of the workday. Rewardsco, a leading global business services provider in KZN, has risen to the challenge with a new programme that offers telesales agents the opportunity to earn a full salary for just 5.5 hours of work per day. “We at Rewardsco believe in creating a world of opportunities for career growth and success for our greatest asset - our people,” says Angelo Cornelesen, head of sales operations. 

This cutting-edge programme offers telesales agents the freedom of working alternating morning and afternoon shifts without sacrificing their basic salaries or commission-earning potential. “We have found an incredible formula that allows our people to do things they ordinarily wouldn’t have been able to do working 9 hours a day. Successful candidates need to be highly self-motivated and driven to succeed,” Cornelesen adds. 

Although other players in the industry see such programmes as a risk, Rewardsco sees potential. The world is changing and as proud disruptors of the status quo, Rewardsco is always looking to subvert traditional ways of doing things in favour of progress for both the business and its people. The pandemic pushed the need for work-life balance to the forefront, so Rewardsco set out to meet this need while still ensuring the rapid growth of the business. Cornelesen says the results have been very promising. “We’ve heard many stories about how agents are spending more quality time with loved ones or just simply unplugging from work and enjoying some quiet time.”

After trialling the new dual shift programme to great success earlier in 2022, Rewardsco is now rolling it out to a larger pool of 150 high-performing sales agents, with even more opportunities for expansion on the horizon. 

As a leading employer in KZN, Rewardsco recognised the benefits of helping its people achieve a better work-life balance, resulting in increased job satisfaction. Employees who have work-life balance tend to be more productive and have less absences. In fact, achieving work-life balance can also lead to improved mental and physical health, decreased stress levels and greater job satisfaction. Cornelesen says that, to date, Rewardsco has seen more than 15% increase in sales performance, 10% increase in daily attendance and a 100% increase in data efficiencies, meaning that agents are earning more commission than ever before.

In addition to the dual shift programme, Rewardsco hires experienced telesales, insurance and customer service agents throughout the year and is one of very few call centres where jobseekers can just walk into their premises at 2 Ncondo Place on the Umhlanga Ridge during business hours for an immediate interview.