In recent years the revolution in technology has made it possible for businesses to adopt remote working, offering greater flexibility and empowering professionals to work beyond the office. There is huge support for flexible working in the UK. For example, initiatives such as Work Wise Week (13-19 May 2012), the aim of which is to promote modern “smarter” working practices such as flexible, remote and mobile working, as well as working from home. Now in its 7th year, it is organised by Work Wise UK, a not-for-profit organisation, whose strategic partners include the TUC, CBI, RAC Foundation and the British Chamber of Commerce.
Phil Flaxton, Chief Executive of Work Wise UK said: “During this age of austerity, an increasing number of organisations have realised the benefits of smarter working practices. Enabling staff to work more flexibly has reduced costs and at the same time significantly increased staff wellbeing. There are a range of innovative business management practices that have emerged which have changed the way we work. Smarter working practices have developed as a result of technological advancement and enable a far better use of limited resources and time.”
The recent CBI/Harvey Nash employment trends survey 2011 supports Powwownow’s statistics. The survey found that flexible working is now a standard feature of the modern workplace, with nearly all employers (96%) offering at least one form of flexible working. The survey also found that there has been a rapid expansion in recent years in the use of teleworking, with now 59 percent of employers using this form of flexible working, increasing from 46 percent in 2008 and only 14 percent in 2006.
Simon Curry, CEO of Powwownow, said: “In this age of technology, work no longer needs to be confined by the boundaries of an office or even 9am-5pm. Technology enables us to interact on the move, from anywhere at any time. It allows a greater flexibility for businesses. Powwownow is free, easy to use and accessible 24/7 and we offer a free mobile app to schedule meetings, meaning you really can fit business in with your life, not life in with your business. We are moving towards a fully unified communications approach which means people really won’t need to leave the home or stay stuck in the office to interact with colleagues. People will be able to connect from anywhere in the world, all from one platform."