Many businesses have been talking for what seems like an age about flexible and mobile working but far too often it remains discussed but not practiced.
As we know the new Flexible Working Directive comes into force as of 30th June and with it will come challenges as well as opportunities for businesses.
The mere mention of flexible working is enough to daunt even the sturdiest Chief Technology Officer. Questions such as how can you incorporate flexible working practices into the IT estate, while maintaining productivity, efficiency and security are floating around many an office in the lead up to this change.
IT company Claranet conducted research that found that 70% of businesses are concerned with the increased data loss posed by BYOD (bring your own device), while 51% fear that mobile working leads to less control over how data is used. A similar proportion (50%), believe it poses a greater risk of unauthorisedaccess to IT systems.
However there is a different story to be heard - offering a flexible work or job share pattern has been shown to increase trust-levels and commitment from employees, which will ultimately improve productivity. Of those organisations that have implemented a mobile working strategy, 88% of organisations have boosted productivity and performance; 42% said it makes working practices more efficient; and 41% have improved customer service.
Cloud computing is key to the success of any flexible working strategy. Increasingly sophisticated cloud-based applications mean that workers no longer need to be bound to their desks to stay engaged and remain productive.
It’s important to note however, that for businesses which rely on the internet for every aspect of business operations the four key factors of reliability, technical support, data privacy and security are paramount.
So, as ever we’re looking forward to the new flexible working directive but it won’t necessarily be a smooth ride for every company unless they do the thinking ahead of time rather than after the Lord Mayors show.
