Work Wise says small firms should "work wiser"
Small and medium-sized businesses are being encouraged to get flexible with their staff.
Although small businesses are collectively the biggest employers in Britain, they're the least likely to allow employees to work from home. That's according to Work Wise UK, which is launching a three-year programme to persuade bosses that flexible working is a good thing.
At the moment, just over three million Brits work from home, compared to around 26 million who go out to work. Work Wise reckons around half of all staff could ditch the trip to the office within five years.
The scheme's won the backing of BT, which after all is a key beneficiary of the drive to set up more home-based offices.
BT's people and policy director, Caroline Waters, said:
"Where, when and how we work is changing and today’s businesses are more efficient and more flexible as a result of the networked world in which we operate. However, while the benefits of adopting flexible working practices are clear in terms of increased productivity and employee satisfaction, the challenge for management is to ensure that it is equipped to cope with a digitally enabled workforce.“BT looks forward to taking part in Work Wise Week and would encourage employers across the UK to try out new flexible working practices and experience the business benefits of working smarter.�
Work Wise Week will run from 3-9 May.
