THE PROS AND CONS OF FLEXIBLE WORKING
Flexible Working is a key part of the Worksmart initiative and will play a huge role in making large savings across WCC. It is estimated that each desk costs around £5000 per year and therefore WCC is keen to get as many people working from home as possible. As with any working situation, there can be benefits and drawbacks to homeworking compared with a traditional working arrangement.
For the employee, some of the advantages may include:
- Reduced travelling time and costs, less stress caused by travel problems.
- Ability to work in a more concentrated way, without the interruptions associated with office-based working.
- More flexibility to balance work and home life.
- More control over work, increased job satisfaction.
- More opportunities to work for disabled employees.
Possible drawbacks may include:
- Social isolation which can lead to stress and depression.
- Reduced knowledge of the organisation and developments within it, which may hamper career development.
- Difficulty separating work from home life which may also impact on other members of the family.
- Loss of facilities normally provided to workplace-based staff e.g. subsidised works canteen.
- Danger of overwork and working long or unsociable hours without the benefit of premium payments.
- Loss of, or reduced contact with, colleagues.
- Lack of separation between work and living space.
- Hidden costs.
Negotiations are lead by the Branch Health and Safety Officer, if you have any questions then please get in contact. UNISON members can find out more about FLoW by viewing the document "What you need to know about Flexible Location Working in Westminster".
