09/08/2010
The traditional landscape of the British workplace has changed due to the recession.
A report conducted by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has discovered a dramatic shift towards part-time work since the start of the recession – losing nearly 1 million full-time jobs to part-time jobs. The shift toward shorter working hours showed part-time employment increasing by 330 000 and unemployment decreasing by 580 000, the CIPD report.
While there have been indications of employees shifting towards a ‘long-hours’ culture, the CIPD believes that a ‘mixed-hours’ culture is a more appropriate description. In spring 2010, the number of people working 45 or more hours a week was almost the same as those working between 16 and 30 hours a week.
The shift towards this culture is only one way in which the recession is changing the ways in which businesses operate. The number of companies with employees choosing to work from home has seen a steady increase over the past five years, which is not surprising due to the economic issues many are facing.
According to the official Labour Force Survey, in the spring of 2009 there were 691,000 British home workers (working mainly in their own homes, using both a phone and a computer) versus 582,000 in 2006.
Benefits can be seen for both employee and employer as it allows for those with childcare needs, the disabled, people living in remote areas and those caring for elderly relatives to work from home whereas before they may not have been able to work due to their circumstances. Home working also reduces the need for expensive premises, while maintaining a high level of productivity, as there are a reduced number of absences due to sickness.
Then there's the reduction in pollution as home working could reduce commuter travel. Last month transport minister Norman Baker reminded employers that letting staff avoid the workplace just one day in 10 would have a "huge impact" on congestion.
Working from home is not ideal for everyone. Working in an office often provides many benefits to the employee, including being able to talk to their colleagues in a creative working environment, providing a clear distinction between family life and work life.
The advice for home workers is the same as it should be for everyone. Work when you're paid to; don't when you're not. You might remind your boss of the Department of Employment's guidelines: "Employers should seek to ensure that timetables are established which determine when employees are expected to be working, and when they should not be contacted."