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Section head
Organisation of work
In the changing work environment successful organisations in both the public and private sector will need to be more flexible if they are to make maximum use of the benefits of technology, accommodate the new 24 hour society and adjust workflow to peaks and troughs in demand. Equality programmes, which allow new ways of working, can deliver direct benefits by providing flexibility for the organisation as well as the employees. Over a quarter of employees now work part time and over a fifth of those working full time have some kind of flexible working arrangement[1].
Organisations that can embrace these changes and take advantage of individuals’ desires to work in new ways will have the competitive edge. Not only will they be in a position to attract highly skilled employees who do not wish to adhere to traditional working patterns but also they will be able to provide the greater flexibility demanded by customers. These organisations will be agile and able to move quickly into new activities and markets.
As technology allows individuals and organisations more choice over where and when they work some organisations are questioning long held assumptions about the office. Reducing physical office space by flexible working, basing individuals from home and introducing “hot desking” can bring immediate financial savings to an organisation as well as benefits to individual employees’ work life balance.
- Reduction in Centrica’s need for office space in London as a result of its flexible working programme has saved £8 million a year.
- BT estimates that its 11,600 home workers save it €104 million a year in accommodation costs (they are also 20% more productive that their office based co workers).
However it presents management challenges as well. Managers need the skills to communicate with and manage a geographically distant teams. Commitment, trust and respect on both sides are a prerequisite for successful flexible working programmes. Effective diversity management skills are an essential foundation for these new ways of management.
[1] Labour Force Survey 2005 Office for National Statistics
