Flexi – Agile – Hot – Working Programs

Flexible working gives employees  some agreed flexibility in their role. This could be the option of home working,  flexi-time or hot-desking/agile working (non-assigned workstations) while in the office. This is becoming increasingly popular within organisations, where studies show that 64% of UK companies  offer their employees some level of flexible working. Traditional working environments are changing as technology advances and makes working away from the workstation easier. The challenge for  management  is to ensure people working away from offices are doing so in a safe and efficient manner, one that not only contributes to their needs, but also enables them to work productively and comfortably while they do so.

Flexible working can have many benefits to staff and can increase productivity and provide a better work-life balance in the right circumstances. It can also reduce costs by reducing workstations needed and utilising the space better. Introducing flexible working can improve work-life balance, especially for people who have a family or other commitments outside of work or for those with long commutes.

Important considerations when creating a flexible work environment

One of the potential downsides of flexible working is that it can mean poor workstation ergonomics which could lead to staff experiencing associated medical conditions such as RSI or backache. If staff are working from home or elsewhere more often then it’s difficult to monitor their workstation set up. This is often overlooked in the decision making process, as it is not always recognised that the workstation is the most important tool for a flexible worker.  If employees are going to be working from home regularly then it’s a required to provide suitable ergonomic equipment to safely perform their function. Hot-desking also increases the importance of the ergonomic criteria required in selection of equipment and furniture.

There is a lot of analysis of the pros and cons that need to be considered when creating a flexible work environment. Our ergonomic consultants work with companies to understand their specific organisational needs and advise on solutions that best fit these requirements. Many large companies have promoted flexible working and subsequently found out they have put employees at risk and not complied with health and safety regulations, which left them open to legal action. We take companies through the process by creating flexible, multi-functional work environments while ensuring a safe and productive work environment and compliance with health and safety regulations.

Are you improving your current space or creating a new one – Get in touch with our ergonomic consultants to ensure you are factoring in all key spatial requirements – 01 6110 200.