CALL FOR SMARTER WORKING  PRACTICES

Bringing about a workstyle revolution through smarter working practices

Organisations and employees across the North East from the public, private and voluntary sector are being invited to take part in the national Work Wise Week (May 16 to 22) to continue helping create a 'smarter' working Britain.
Staff and employers alike are being asked to consider a week-long trial of smarter working practices, such as home, flexible, mobile and remote working so they can fully understand the benefits and practicalities of this modern day approach to working.
Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK said:
"The age of working 9 to 5, five days a week, from a central location, is for many, fast coming to an end.
"This rigid work structure, which is largely dictated by culture and nothing else, is wasteful in terms of time and resources, damaging to the environment, and harmful in that it impacts upon stress levels and the health of employees"
Simon Roberson, regional chairman of Work Wise North East said:
"We urge all organisations across the North East to take up the Work Wise mantle - smarter working will revolutionise the way people work and increase business productivity and competitiveness.  It will also reduce transport congestion and pollution, improve health, and assist disadvantaged groups"

"Wide adoption of smarter working practices is the obvious answer in tackling some of the issues that face our society today.

Many smarter working practices are very simple to implement, and organisations in the North East are being encouraged to try some of thee activities during national Work Wise Week:

• Allowing staff to come in either an hour later or an hour earlier, with a reciprocal hour shift at the end of the day. This would enable staff to avoid the busiest travel times, effectively staggering the rush hour and making the journey far more tolerable for everyone.
• Allowing staff to take a half hour lunch break each day, and then let them leave at 3.00pm on the last day.
• Allowing staff to work from home on Friday May 18, National Work from Home Day. Even a small reduction in the number of people travelling on the roads or by public transport on that day will have a significant effect on congestion and overcrowding.
• During Work Wise Week, ask staff to cancel all external face-to-face staff meetings, and instead hold them by conference call, either video or telephone. This would save time and resources, and reduce congestion and pollution.
• Where appropriate, allow staff to roster their own shifts during the week.
  Kevin Rowan, regional secretary of the TUC, one of the Work Wise partners said:" Flexible working practices offer a wide range of opportunities for workers and businesses as well as for the regional economy as a whole. We urge employers to take up the Work Wise mantle and implement flexible working practices for their staff"
  James Ramsbotham, chief executive of the NECC said: "Work Wise is not jus about better staff practices; it is also about better businesss.  We see tremendous benefits for our 4, 400 members by adopting these new practices
  Alan Hall, regional director of EEF Northern, a Work Wise partner said;
   "This gives us a real chance to demonstrate how smarter working can increase the region's productivity, while allowing us a better focus on our work life balance and at the same time considering the impact on our environment"
  Ray Smith, regional director of BT North east said: "Thanks to our flexible working policy BT has 20% less absenteeism than the national average, 99% of our employees on maternity return to work and we save 12 million litres of car fuel ever year.  Work Wise will bring these benefits to everyone in the region"
  Alan Clarke, Chief Executive of One NorthEast, said: "The Agency and its partners are committed to increasing business productivity and competitiveness, whilst also doing all we can to make employment accessible for everyone.

"That's why operating less rigid working conditions such as flexible working and working from home can really make a difference, and why One NorthEast is backing the Work Wise North East campaign.

"If we can improve the productivity and profitability of regional companies, we'll be well on the way to achieving our aim of being the number one business location of choice."

Work Wise Week is being staged by Work Wise UK, a major five-year not-for-profit initiative. The North East was the first region to adopt the pioneering campaign. County Durham on February 8th. The campaign has attracted wide-ranging support from leading organisations in the region (see editors note below).
Further information about Work Wise UK, and how organisations can participate in Work Wise Week, can be found on the website (www.workwiseuk.org).

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For information about Work Wise North East, please contact:
Shelia Chapman, Sheila Chapman PR 07732 827 486 or scpr@btopenworld.com

For further information about the national Work Wise campaign, please contact: Roy Turner, Chelgate PR 020 7939 7939 or 07970 522232 or rt@chelgate.com

Notes to editors:

• A number of spokespersons are available for interview and comment. Please contact Sheila Chapman at contact details below
• Work Wise UK is organized by the IT Forum Foundation, a not-for-profit organization.
• Further information about Work Wise UK can be found on the website www.workwiseuk.org.
• A dedicated electronic media centre has been established for journalists to obtain further information, to download print-quality materials, and to register for media updates about Work Wise UK. This can be accessed either through the main website or directly at www.pressrooms.net/workwiseuk.