It’s one of the best cities on the planet to do business, but, even with a sophisticated public transport system, getting to and from any workplace in London is a challenge. During weekday mornings, arriving at work on time is a pipe dream for some. This is why a growing number of firms based in the capital are looking at letting some employees work from home instead.
The end of office culture?
Remote working – or working from home – is a concept which many businesses large and small are warming to. However, there is some opposition to it from some surprising names, one of which is internet giant Yahoo.
Claiming that interaction and productivity would suffer, Yahoo’s CEO Marissa Mayer said she would ban all employees from remote working.
Mayer’s bold decision isn’t being replicated by many of her equivalents in the technology sector, although there are signs that Google are worried about whether or not remote working actually hinders communication between employees. However, at a time when communication via e-mail, video calls and instant messaging is easier than ever, remote working seems to make sense.
This infographic can show you how to nurture teamworking and team solidarity in a remote working setting:
Source: Villanova Online MBA Program
Cost-effective alternative
In the face of Yahoo’s opposition, many people in the business community have defended remote working including London-based firm Powwownow who recently explained why they felt the likes of Mayer were a little too dismissive of the idea of working at home:
“There needs to be an element of trust that works both ways– trust that your employees or colleagues will do the work that they are tasked with and they won’t let you down. OK, there might be some that do, but penalise the individuals (or the managers accountable for them) not the whole company.”
“It seems inconceivable that in this day and age (2013!), you would turn your back on new technologies and work practices that have been adopted by your peers.”
“It’s been proven that many people actually work better at home; the quiet and less distractive atmosphere allows them to concentrate and get more work done.”
Businesses in London and elsewhere in the world could do worse than consider letting employees do their job from home. As a means of saving money alone, remote working could potentially change the way in which businesses operate without having to reduce staffing levels.
Benefits of remote working in the capital
The daily commute, particularly in central London, can be a nightmare sometimes. Working from home for some employees who usually have to battle against the traffic and any maintenance work on the Underground, rail network and roads will help them get their job done from first thing in the morning with no fuss.
Aside from saving time by travelling, the ability to work flexible hours is invaluable. In a city that’s open for business 24/7, working at different times of the day is possible from home; whereas in an office, opening times can restrict the amount of work done, even if there’s a deadline that needs to be met.
With so many different communication tools available to workers in the capital, it seems that remote working could become a way of life for many Londoners. If this is the case, then the commute from Hell will be a thing of the past!
