Remote working offers benefits to businesses and staff

Remote working offers benefits to businesses and staff

A growing number of businesses in the UK are agreeing to more flexible working for their employees, according to a new report from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).

In a publication last week, the REC said that large firms including The Co-operative, Jaguar Land-Rover, Rent-A-Car and BT are all allowing staff to work from home more and more.

The REC went on to claim that the government wants to try to reduce flexible working in the public sector, which the REC said would be a mistake. With the technology we now have available, such as VoIP, instant messaging and video conferencing, for example, flexible working offers “clear benefits” to the businesses that embrace it.

It claims that allowing home working has become a way to help grow a business at a time when organic growth is difficult to come by. For example, allowing more employees to work remotely, using fast internet connections to access systems and work tools from home, can save money and boost productivity.

In addition to these benefits, staff also prefer to have the option to work from home or from wherever they need to work. Research from web conferencing firm Powwownow, found that half the 1,091 people they questioned said remote working would allow them to reduce the stress caused by commuting. Some 59 per cent said they believed remote working was the “way forward.”

Any business that is considering upping the flexible working options it provides for its staff needs to ensure that its internet connectivity is fast and reliable.

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