Agile workforces: still an age away?

Jo Faragher

It seems somewhat out-of-sync that – as more people have access to fast broadband at home and workplace communications technology improves – we still expect people to be chained to their desks 9 to 5.

Research by workplace technology company Condeco highlights this, claiming that unless employers grant workers the opportunity to work flexibly, they will begin to see a drop in morale. Those that do embrace technology both inside and outside the office for their workforce, meanwhile, will see productivity rocket.

‘Dead’ time such as hours spent commuting to and from an office is time that could be spent logging into ever-more-sophisticated systems, getting the same work done earlier than if a worker had come to their desk. Video streaming applications such as Skype and Google Hangouts mean that even meetings don’t have to be physically tied to one place.

Condeco found that 94% of UK knowledge workers would work from home twice a week if they could – something that would also impact on engagement. Getting work done more quickly and avoiding a commute means employees can spend more time with their families or pursuing their interests, which in turn means they feel valued by their company.

Yet a trust issue remains – presenteeism means that managers still believe (although this number is dwindling, thankfully) that if someone is not at their desk they are shirking their responsibilities or trying to pull a fast one with their employer.

As Condeco points out, forward-thinking companies are even changing office layouts so when workers are in, they can book space if they need a desk and collaborate with colleagues in more informal surroundings – which not only suits a more agile way of working but can also save thousands on real estate.

There’s no denying that we still need some face-to-face contact with colleagues, for inspiration and to swap ideas or solve problems, but making the edges around the working week a little more fluid has potential benefits not just for employee retention and productivity, but also the bottom line.