New laws that decree that employees with more than 26 weeks’ service have the right to request flexible working hours, regardless of the reason, will only benefit both the employee and the employer if the technology is in place to allow it to happen effectively, according to a recent study.
Recent research shows that the use of superfast broadband that allows homeworkers to interact with their colleagues by email and conference calls improves productivity, while people working from home can also access the cloud to securely access business IT systems.
Meanwhile, developments in traditional landline telephone systems also allow businesses to have employees working from home without causing any disruption to customers.
However, it is not just technology that needs to be in place to make the most of the new laws. According to recent evidence, if both the employer and the employee embrace the culture of flexible working then the rewards can be great for both parties.
Naturally, some employers fear loss of productivity if a worker is not ‘under their nose’ at work but more and more firms are embracing the concept of working from home and this generation of workers sees the work-life balance as non-negotiable if they are to give all their talents to an employer.
As one business psychologist put it, the business environment has become more competitive and is now characterised by a definite sense of individual accountability and it is this accountability and sense of personal responsibility that mitigates the perceived risks associated with flexible working.