A recent short read brought memories of the above back to me with a giggle. The article (People Management, November 2012, Page 7) tells us how flexible working is now being driven by employers in light of today’s uncertain climate, part time and temporary workers being less of a risk. There is still a great deal of interest from employees however, and survey results showed that 78% wanted to work more flexibly, and 68% wanted to work from home when they wished. Nothing unusual about that. The survey went on to report where remote workers liked to work, with results showing 10% in the garden, 10% in bed, 7% while cooking, and 5% in the bathroom! I will admit to having worked in the garden, but never the bed and bathroom. However I did work regularly in my pyjamas and remember talking to the most senior of managers on the phone in my nightwear with my hair in a knot and my big fluffy slippers on, thinking “I am so glad you can’t see me now”.
A recent short read brought memories of the above back to me with a giggle. The article (People Management, November 2012, Page 7) tells us how flexible working is now being driven by employers in light of today’s uncertain climate, part time and temporary workers being less of a risk. There is still a great deal of interest from employees however, and survey results showed that 78% wanted to work more flexibly, and 68% wanted to work from home when they wished. Nothing unusual about that. The survey went on to report where remote workers liked to work, with results showing 10% in the garden, 10% in bed, 7% while cooking, and 5% in the bathroom! I will admit to having worked in the garden, but never the bed and bathroom. However I did work regularly in my pyjamas and remember talking to the most senior of managers on the phone in my nightwear with my hair in a knot and my big fluffy slippers on, thinking “I am so glad you can’t see me now”.
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Having launched a business working from home for the first 18 months I know that it doesn't matter where you are working as long as you get the work done to your clients satisfaction. With the amount of technology available I'd always be willing to let staff work from home as long as the performance was there. One day I intend to be able to work from a villa in a sunny country, sitting in shorts with my feet in the swimming pool!
Bob, just sharing Mandy's blog and we reckon a pic of yu in your PJs must be worth a tenner for Children in Need....
This made me smile Mandy. I know a number of friends who work from home and they NEVER do Skype video as they don't want me to see their PJ's. Having a son who's just started school I am appreciative of the flexibility my current role offers me as I love taking him to school and where possible pick him up.
To be honest though I wouldn't take a job that didn't offer me the flexibility that I need and this is something that I think will happen more and more as technology enables people to access and complete work from anywhere in the world (yes at times with an internet connection). Do we actually need an 'office' in the traditional sense now with remote working becoming the norm, especially with collaborative tools out there that allow ppl to connect, share and interact where-ever they are .
I think trust plays a part here and also the culture of an organisation in whether home / flexible working is permitted / agreed but you can't argue with the stats that home working actually makes you MORE productive as this article demonstrates.
Top 10 benefits of home working
A good friend at a financial organisation has been trialling home-working with a team for the last 6 months and the team are now 15% more productive. Needless to say it's now permanent.
The organisations that get flexible / home working makes for happier and more productive workers will be the organisations that have more engaged employees where trust and empowerment are key themes throughout and they will attract the top talent. Organisations that only offer office work and no flexible working won't be around for very long....OK it's depends on the type of job and industry but......HR needs to be thinking about this NOW and the impact of remote / flexible working.
I'll leave you with this great article I came across recently - let me know what you think :)
Imagining the future of work