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News Release from: Work Wise UK | Subject: Work Wise Week
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 17 April 2007
Call for trial of new working practices
For Work Wise Week this year staff and employers are being asked to consider a week-long trial of smarter working practices, such as home, flexible, mobile and remote working.
Bringing about a workstyle revolution through smarter working practices Organisations and employees across the UK, both public and private, are being invited to take part in the second annual Work Wise Week (May 16 to 22) to continue helping create a 'smarter' working Britain Staff and employers alike are being asked to consider a week-long trial of smarter working practices, such as home, flexible, mobile and remote working, and so understand for themselves the benefits and practicalities of this modern day approach to working
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 28 Feb 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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Work Wise week and national Work From Home Day
Smarter working campaign gathering momentum as Work Wise Week 2007 announced Work Wise Week that will include National Work from Home Day.
Programme for Work Wise Week announced
Wise Week (May 16 to 22), will consist of a number of themed days and events including National Work from Home Day and Work Wise Summit in London.
"The age of working 9 to 5, five days a week, from a central location, is for many fast coming to an end," said Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK.
"This rigid work structure, which is largely dictated by culture and nothing else, is wasteful in terms of time and resources, damaging to the environment, and harmful in that it impacts upon stress levels and the health of employees".
Many smarter working practices are very simple to implement, and it is these that organisations are being encouraged to try during Work Wise Week:.
Further reading
Sir Digby Jones warning at start of Work Wise Week
Sir Digby Jones, UK skills envoy and former director general of the CBI, speaking at the Work Wise UK Summit at the QEII Conference Centre, marking the start of Work Wise Week.
Smarter working solution to traffic and pollution
Penultimate day of Work Wise Week focused upon the transport aspects of new smarter working practices.
* Allowing staff to come in either an hour later or an hour earlier, with a reciprocal hour shift at the end of the day.
This would enable staff to avoid the busiest travel times, effectively staggering the rush hour and making the journey far more tolerable for everyone.
* Allowing staff to take a half hour lunch break each day, and then let them leave at 3.00pm on the last day.
* Allowing staff to work from home on Friday May 18, National Work from Home Day.
Even a small reduction in the number of people travelling on the roads or by public transport on that day will have a significant effect on congestion and overcrowding.
* During Work Wise Week, ask staff to cancel all external face-to-face staff meetings, and instead hold them by conference call, either video or telephone.
This would save time and resources, and reduce congestion and pollution.
* Where appropriate, allow staff to roster their own shifts during the week.
Work Wise Week is being staged by Work Wise UK, a major five-year not-for-profit initiative, supported by the TUC and CBI, to encourage the widespread adoption of smarter working practices across the UK.
This will revolutionise the way people work and increase business productivity and competitiveness, reduce transport congestion and pollution, improve health, assist disadvantaged groups, and harmonise work and family commitments.
Further information about Work Wise UK, and how organisations can participate in Work Wise Week, can be found on the website.
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