Sorry it's been a while since our last post...... I do hope you find the following as interesting as we did....
According to a recent article in The Age newspaper, nearly a quarter of employees do some of their job away from the workplace. This new trend of flexibility is allowing people to start living the life they have always dreamed of and allowing them the time to combine their hobbies, interests, family commitments, and volunteering resulting in a more rounded, balanced lifestyle that is satisfying all of their needs and wants.
Whilst one person is training for the Olympics, technology is allowing them to pull out their laptops, iphone or Blackberry and work from pretty much anywhere without missing an important email or phone call or deadline.
Figures from the Bureau of Statistics show nearly a quarter of Australian workers do some of their work each week away from the office.
Nearly 2.5million Australian employees take work home, fit it into weekends, or squeeze it in around training for the London Olympics.
Men in managerial positions were most likely to work from home (31per cent), followed by technicians and tradesmen (18per cent), while women working from home were most likely to be professionals (39per cent) or clerical and administrative workers (23per cent). This is encouraging news for our Virtual Angels who are mostly work from home professional mums.
Eight per cent, or one in 12 Australian workers, work more from home than any other place. The majority (83per cent) of those were aged 35 years or older, and most (55per cent) were women.
Most people are beginning to realise that without the flexible work conditions on offer from employers that they will just not be able to pursue and fulfil their dreams. They are looking for flexible employers who will offer this as part of the package at interview..
Why would an employer ask a person to choose between their passion and happiness when they can offer them flexible working conditions – after all they can only benefit from that persons positive and happy attitude at work.
There is a trend towards flexible working. Obviously technology is allowing it in many cases, but also people are a lot more savvy, and organisations are a lot more savvy - they are willing to create a good environment for people to work in.
Another example where working from home can benefit both parties is when an employee breaks a bone or perhaps cannot physically get to the office because of family sickness.. people often report that they actually do more work from home than they would in the office anyway, there are no distractions, no interruptions and no ciggie or coffee bar breaks. Overall, employers are realising that flexible work arrangements can result in high productivity and a rise in general well being, both must be high on the list for employee engagement and retention.
Technology has been critical in making it possible but now we need a shift in mindset from our leaders who only have to trial these flexible work programs to see the benefits for all concerned.
Until next time,
Caroline @ Virtual Angels
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