Businesses ‘must allow flexible working to increase productivity’

Nick Elvin

Companies must let their staff work remotely or else risk damaging growth and staff morale.

That’s the view of workplace technology specialist Condeco Software, responding to the latest ONS figures, which reveal that 39.3 million adults are accessing the internet every day.

The firm says the amount of employees demanding flexible working will continue to rise as people have increasing access to high-quality internet, and businesses that create a technology-powered hybrid office will see productivity rise, by catering for employees who want to work flexibly and those that require a fixed-desk to complete their tasks.

According to the ONS figures, 86% of households have access to the internet, making it easier for people to work remotely.

Condeco also points out research from Ernst & Young (EY) which shows that £8.5 billion could be added to the UK economy from flexible working, through more productive use of available flexible working hours. The research revealed that two out of three firms say flexible working helps motivation, commitment and employee relations.

The report by EY revealed that 8.7 million people in the UK want flexible working, while 82% of managers believe that flexible working benefits their business.

Paul Statham, founder and CEO of Condeco Software, said: “UK households now enjoy almost universal access to the internet, which has grown exponentially from 2006 when only 57% of households were connected.

“Thanks to cloud-based collaboration and unified communications services such as email and video conferencing, a laptop and internet connection is all that most people need to perform their job.

“Ninety-six per cent of UK knowledge workers that have been given the chance to work from home have taken up the opportunity, and 94% would work from home twice a week if they could.

“This has transformed the office from a default place of work to a space people go to meet with colleagues when needed. Forward-thinking companies are doing away with rows of fixed desks that spend half their time sitting empty and providing their employees with bookable desks and collaboration space that can be used when required. As access to the internet creeps towards 100%, these fluid, agile working practices will become the new standard.”