Productivity from Telework

Peter ThomsonResearch Director, Telework Association

Agenda

• 2.00 Introduction• 2.10 Benefits of telework• 2.20 Results of home worker survey• 2.40 Implications for organisations• 2.50 Managing for productivity• 3.00 Break• 3.10 Panel Questions and Discussion• 4.00 Finish

2

Benefits of Smarter Working

• Attract the best employees• Improve productivity• Reduce employee turnover• Increase morale• Reduce absenteeism• Improve diversity• Show corporate responsibility

Cranfield Survey 7 Major Employers

Performance – quantity of work

...more positive viewsPerformance – quality of work

Teamworking

British Chambers of Commerce survey of SMEs

Benefits of flexible working

1.Reduced business travel2.Improved customer services 3.Increased productivity4.Employee satisfaction5.Access hours to services6.Employees work-life balance 7.Morale8.Cost reductions9.Teamwork10.Culture change/improvement

1.Employee satisfaction2.Increased productivity3.Reduced business travel4.Savings in Fuel Costs5.Employees work-life balance 6.Cost reductions7.Morale8.Improved customer services 9.Improved Profitability10.Decreased staff turnover

BEFORE AFTER

Comments on the benefitsof working at home

• Tony Corbin– Hampshire County Council

• Mark Thomas– Word Association

• Christine Featherstone– Hampshire County Council

11

Telework Association Research

• Survey of 350 home workers• Comparing ‘home’ and ‘office’

productivity• Measured where possible• Discovering why the difference

12

Who Responded?

13

How Long?

14

Where do they work?

15

Productivity?

16

How much more Productive?

17

Increased Output

18

Why?

19

Main Reason

20

Conclusions from Survey

• Overwhelming majority of teleworkers have increased productivity (85%)

• Massive increase in output when people work from home (25% increase by 50%)

• Home has fewer interruptions that office• Balancing home and work commitments improves

results• Saved commuting time can be used for work

21

Implications for Organisations

• Traditional assumptions about working at home are wrong

• Home working should be part of business strategy

• The potential gains for the bottom line are substantial

• The risks are small• Now is a good time to be gaining the benefits

22

Comments on productivity of home working

• Marylou Lousvet• Carole Thwaites

– Wisework Ltd

23

Implications for Managers

• Not just an employee benefit• Build into business plan• Discuss with employees• Agree new working patterns• Set up pilots• Measure results• Manage by output• Trust and empower

24

Conclusions

• Research shows dramatic improvements in output for people working at home

• Once managers have overcome their fears they can reap the benefits

• The image of home working needs to be brought into the 21st Century

• The Telework Association has a role to play in promoting the benefits

25

Panel Session

• Peter Thomson– Research Director, Telework Association

• Marylou Lousvet– Director, Wisework Ltd

• Carol Thwaites– Senior Consultant, Wisework Ltd

27

3.10 – 4.00

Productivity from Telework

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