Sharing desks could be on the agenda

When they meet on Thursday members will consider a review by Coun David Kirton, who has been carrying out a review of flexible working.

His findings indicate that flexible working presents the biggest opportunity for operating more efficiently, with employees occasionally working from home.

But the report says that there will need to be a big change in culture.

“Staff will need to recognise that they can not necessarily expect to have the same desk every day they come in to work and are far more likely to be working in an open plan office.

“Managers will need to recognise that they need to manage on outcomes, rather than time that staff spend in an office,” says Coun Kirton’s report, which will be discussed by members of the council’s Use of Resources Scrutiny Panel on Thursday.

The report says a current project, which is looking at the best ways to make use of the council’s buildings and resources, depends on flexible working for its success and presents a great opportunity to make some real progress over the next few weeks.

Currently, the council has successfully trialled a home working scheme involving 25 full time home workers and a further 11 flexible home workers.

Coun Kirton’s report says that the review of home working and flexible working should continue.

“New technology means that many people can now work in any location and that can bring massive benefits to organisations and the people who work for them.

“Organisations across the public and private sectors have been able to reduce the amount of workspace they provide – reducing their costs and working more efficiently,” Coun Kirton added last night.