The hours and time people work and the environments they work in have always been subject to change, but the pace of this change is now more rapid than ever before because customers expect to have services available outside traditional working hours.
Organisations want to match their business needs to the way their employees work, and individuals want to achieve a better balance between work and home. Technology exists to liberate people from office desks and makes remote working more feasible and for many the chance to work remotely, from home is the primary way to achieve work-life balance.
Flexible working
‘Flexible working’ is a phrase that describes any working pattern adapted to suit your needs; it includes things like part-time working, flexi time and home working. Flexible working opportunities can benefit everyone – employers, employees and their families and most employers now recognise that it makes good business sense to provide flexible working opportunities for their staff.
If you have the statutory right to apply then your employer has a duty to properly consider your request. Also remember that even if you don’t have the statutory right to ask for flexible working, your employer may still offer it because they recognise the value of keeping good employees. Applications should be by way of a formal process and could take upwards of several weeks to complete. You should also be aware that if your employer agrees to your request, then it may result in a permanent change to your contract of employment.
Work-Life balance
Choosing how long to work and on what schedule has long showed productivity benefits. People are less stressed when they can adjust their hours or days to family or personal needs. Studies show that a greater feeling of control is associated with more energy and better health, making those workers more productive. For many working parents, the chance to work remotely is the primary way to achieve work-life balance.
Working from home has become a possibility for many more people because of the advent of new forms of technology that enable people to work from home whilst remaining in ‘virtual’ contact with the office either through telephone or internet links. There are many advantages to this form of flexible working and with careful planning and management it can be a beneficial arrangement for both employee and employer. However, there are a number of issues that you will need to take into account. These will include contractual matters, health and safety issues as well as the potential adverse impact on work/life balance from the intrusion of work into your home.
Remote working allows employees to set their own structure, a positive step towards good work/life balance.
