Bringing about a workstyle revolution through smarter working practices
Organisations and employees across the North East from the public, private and voluntary sector are being invited to take part in the national Work Wise Week (May 16 to 22) to continue helping create a ‘smarter’ working Britain.
Staff and employers alike are being asked to consider a week-long trial of smarter working practices, such as home, flexible, mobile and remote working so they can fully understand the benefits and practicalities of this modern day approach to working.
Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK said:
“The age of working 9 to 5, five days a week, from a central location, is for many, fast coming to an end.
“This rigid work structure, which is largely dictated by culture and nothing else, is wasteful in terms of time and resources, damaging to the environment, and harmful in that it impacts upon stress levels and the health of employees”
Simon Roberson, regional chair of Work Wise North East said:
“We urge all organisations across the North East to take up the Work Wise mantle — smarter working will revolutionise the way people work and increase business productivity and competitiveness. It will also reduce transport congestion and pollution, improve health, and assist disadvantaged groups”
“Wide adoption of smarter working practices is the obvious answer in tackling some of the issues that face our society today.
Many smarter working practices are very simple to implement, and organisations in the North East are being encouraged to try some of thee activities during national Work Wise Week:
- Allowing staff to come in either an hour later or an hour earlier, with a reciprocal hour shift at the end of the day. This would enable staff to avoid the busiest travel times, effectively staggering the rush hour and making the journey far more tolerable for everyone.
- Allowing staff to take a half hour lunch break each day, and then let them leave at 3.00pm on the last day.
- Allowing staff to work from home on Friday May 18, National Work from Home Day . Even a small reduction in the number of people travelling on the roads or by public transport on that day will have a significant effect on congestion and overcrowding.
- During Work Wise Week, ask staff to cancel all external face-to-face staff meetings, and instead hold them by conference call, either video or telephone. This would save time and resources, and reduce congestion and pollution.
- Where appropriate, allow staff to roster their own shifts during the week.
Work Wise Week is being staged by Work Wise UK, a major five-year not-for-profit initiative. The North East was the first region to adopt the pioneering campaign and the official launch was staged in County Durham on February 8th. The campaign has attracted wide-ranging support from leading organisations in the region (see editors note below).
Further information about Work Wise UK, and how organisations can participate in Work Wise Week, can be found on the website (www.workwiseuk.org).
Supporters of the Work Wise UK North East campaign include the TUC, NECC, EEF Northern, Dickinson Dees, Onyx Group, Workplace Travelplan Company, FSB, Government Office North East, One NorthEast, Women into the Network, CBI and BT.
