The recent ice and snow resulted in more and more people in the UK relying on broadband to stay working remotely, while already in the recession-weary corporate world, expensive air travel is unfashionable and unnecessary if tools such as video conferencing and webinars are available.
The UK workforce is now using flexible working methods, such as converged fixed and wireless communications, and see it as a form of business continuity.
The increase in mobile broadband speeds and coverage, as well as an improved work-life balance, are encouraging people to work from home.
Organisations are placing an increased emphasis on cost effectiveness and efficiency in today’s difficult business climate, as firms will start to add the cost of renting premises and realise they don’t need a desk for every employee.
However, to make flexible working work, organisations will need to adopt a different management style that involves coaching, mentoring and managing people.
It seems that if organisations get behind flexible working and fully implement it into their work structure, then there’s huge scope for reducing costs, improving efficiency, increasing productivity and improving employees’ work-life balance.
Find out more about flexible working technology at the Interchange Group.
As featured on SiliconRepublic.com.