Flexible Working News
Big increases in mobile working and the mobile workforce
A new survey from facilities management firm Johnson Controls suggests that the days of the traditional office are numbered as the workforce becomes more mobile. However, whilst flexible working has become more mainstream, research has shown that staff are not abandoning the office commute altogether. They are mixing home, remote and office working to create a combined package, with 70% of people considering themselves completely independent in where they can work and 35% of those questioned stating that it was not important to go into the office at all.
The average amount of time spent working in a corporate office has fallen from 55% in 2002 to just 18%. During the same period, the amount of time spent working remotely has grown by 21%, while homeworking has risen by 16%.
Greater flexibility is also shown to have a positive effect on staff with 67% of workers claiming that it actually improves relationships with managers and colleagues.
Dr Marie Puybaraud, Director of Facilities Innovation at Johnson Controls believes the trend for new ways of working is set to continue. "While the workplace still plays an essential role, it is more as a place where people meet, share ideas, interact and socialise," she explains. "There is evidence of a high level of employee engagement with staff taking control of how they work."