Flexible working ‘would benefit the environment’

May 16 2008 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

THE environment could be one of the biggest winners if North East businesses allow more staff to work flexible hours.

That is the message which flexible working campaigners are hoping to spread as they continue their call to get managers to leave behind the routine nine to five of office hours.

Work Wise North East has told businesses that allowing more staff to work from home would help reduce carbon emissions and the environment.

Simon Roberson, regional chairman of Work Wise North East, said: “This will probably be one of the least costly and most effective steps that companies could take to make their contribution to reducing emissions.”

The call comes on day two of the Work Wise week in which the campaigners aim to focus the minds of the region’s employers on the benefits of flexible working.

They say that the problems of peak-time congestion and crowded commuter journeys on public transport could come to an end if staff were not forced to work the same routine hours.

The North East has the lowest number of staff who work from home, with just 9.3% able to avoid the daily commute.

Mr Roberson said: “Adopting smarter working practices is a win-win situation; not only will it help reduce carbon footprint but it will also provide staff with a better work-life balance.

“We no longer need to work nine to five, five days a week to be productive. Research has shown that workers can be far more productive when they work flexibly and work from home.

“It would not take much to see a real impact. Even if staff worked only an average of one day every two weeks at home, this would result in 10% fewer people commuting and travelling. Think of the impact that would have on our roads, trains and buses.”

His comments were backed up by Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK, who said: “The realisation of the damage our working patterns are causing the environment further underlines the need for us to have a workplace revolution so that we can minimise the impact of human activity on the environment.”

The campaigners are offering tips and advice to businesses wanting to adopt flexible working practices on their website at www.workwiseuk.org