Hard at work – but still right at home

May 15 2009 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

WORKING from home could change the face of North East business, campaigners have said.

Staff at Work Wise North East have urged businesses to take advantage of the national work from home day to ditch the reliance on city centre offices.

They claim the majority of workers would be happier and more productive if offered the chance to ditch the typical nine-to-five working day.

And national campaigners have highlighted a Northumberland man’s work routine as just such an example. Tom Pape, business improvement consultant for BT, said he regularly faced a 60-mile round commute from his home in Rothbury to his office in Newcastle city centre.

But four years on he is a keen supporter of working from home, which he says has saved him money and given him more time for his family.

Mr Pape said: “”It is not a good use of anyone’s time, spending two hours in your car each day - whether that is personal time or business time.

“I had worked for BT for seven years when I was given the chance to work from home on a trial basis and it has made a huge difference to my life on every level.”

He added: “I rely heavily on the phone for conference calls which is just as effective as being in a meeting, but it allows me to communicate with people in India or anywhere else in the world without opening my front door. In fact, I can do everything I used to do in the office, but the savings in time and cost are enormous.”

Campaigners say advances in technology and the wider take-up of broadband have dramatically opened up remote working possibilities for employers at a time when many are cutting costs.

The Work Wise North East campaign hopes to encourage employers to work with employees to develop smarter working arrangements – changes which can have a massive impact on all aspects of the regional economy.

They are supported by leading business, the North East Chamber of Commerce and The Journal.

Sarah Stewart, project director for Work Wise North East, said: “As a supporter of home-working myself, having established a home-based consultancy business over 15 years ago, I believe it is an area that all employers should be considering.

“The benefits cannot be ignored in this economic climate.”

For more information go to www.workwisenortheast.org