Government recommends flexible working for Local Authorities

Local Government Minister, Eric Pickles, has backed a report which claims that local authorities can save £8billion per annum through increased productivity from flexible working. This is in addition to £7billion that can be saved in real estate costs. The report 'Leaner and Greener II' is published by the Westminster Sustainable Business Forum and says "Organisations that introduce flexible working can also benefit from lower space requirements and thereby reduce their property costs and carbon emissions. Flexible working is also associated with the reduction in sickness absence and reduced employee turnover. Finally, employees who adopt a wider range of working hours are able to offer more contact time to customers and therefore an improved service."

Amongst the recommendations it suggests: "Public sector organisations should introduce programmes aimed at improving workplace productivity and workforce flexibility to increase the efficiency of their workforce, improve service delivery and generate financial savings."

Wisework has worked with many local authorities to introduce new ways of working and welcomes this move by the Minister. Flexible working is too often seen as an HR initiative and this announcement moves it firmly into the business improvement category.