Workers Reaping The Benefits Of Flexible Working

Not so long ago, the majority of office workers were tied down to a strict regime, compelled to punch in and punch out of their places of work and be visible to their bosses at all times.

Fortunately, however, technology and travel industry improvements mean that being close to a place of work is no longer a top priority for growing numbers of workers.

The typical British worker can now enjoy greater flexibility than ever before. However, rather than technology, the key to this seems to be trust. Indeed, UK employers have learnt that their employees can be depended upon to get on with their jobs without close supervision.

The chief executive for Work Wise UK explains: "During the recession, more and more businesses have been looking to see how they can save money and of course one of the ways they can do that is by introducing what we call smarter working."

What's more, the signs are that UK workers are increasingly looking for benefits such as good levels of work flexibility as well as the basics such as holidays and salary when considering job opportunities.

It seems that most Britons are not so keen on commuting. Of those polled in a recent study by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), well over half said they wished to spend less time travelling to and from work, with around one in three wanting to make use of home-working technology and one in four keen to benefit from variable start and finish times.

Sadly, for many people, the reality of daily working life will still involve sitting in a car or standing on a train for around an hour a day, with no real break in sight.

Employers are coming round to flexible working practices and, though it may be no good for those staying in the same place, this growing trend means that those seeking out new job opportunities are in a stronger position than ever to negotiate variants on the standard nine to five routine.

If you would like to know more about flexible working why not ask AnswerBank Jobs and Education.