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05 Apr 2016
by Steve Moore

Steve Moore: Agile working – the evolution of flexible working

I first heard the term agile working a number of years ago but it seems the phrase has recently gained significantly more popularity and attention.

 

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For me, it’s the next evolution of flexible working but with a lot more bells and whistles – it’s about working when, where and how we choose rather than being constrained by structures set up 100 years ago when the world was a very different place culturally and technologically.

The growing interest of agile working

Even a year ago, I would have got limited traction in my business around this concept – but now, a lot more ears are turning. 

There’s a lot in the industry press about generation Y (those born between 1980s and 2000) having the expectation that agile is how they want to work and that change is being driven from this group. 

I’m not so sure – testing this with recent graduates I have met, many are just happy to have a permanent, stable job against the recent turbulent backdrop. They also like coming into the central city for the kudos it brings in their family and peer group and of course to play after work!

But don't forget about generation X (those roughly born between the 60s and early 80s) – it has its fair share of proponents of agile working and in my view has more ability to influence the agenda given they are more likely to be in positions of influence. 

In my experience, people at the senior end of this group need more convincing than at the opposite end.  However, ultimately it is my view that it is likely to be constraints in public transport cost and capacity that will be the biggest impetus for change.

The pressures of commuting

I work in London and am constantly amazed (and frustrated) by how many more people each year are packed onto buses and trains in peak hours – I know it’s the same across the UK too. 

So, why don’t we make small changes – do we really all need to start at 9am?  Starting at 10am would mean many starting their journey much later when there is a significant reduction in people traffic in many places.

A change in focus for employers

Taking agile working to its full extent will require employers to think and act differently – not least in terms of the trust we have in employees. 

And it won’t work for everyone of course.  But where it does work, the potential benefits in productivity, efficiency, engagement and work/home balance have got to be worth it in the long term. 

When my little girl grows up, I truly expect her to say “Really daddy….in the olden days you used to get on the train at 7.30 every morning with millions of other people, work at the same desk, then come home again at 6pm with the same millions of other people?” Here’s hoping…!

Steve Moore is head of HR at Hymans Robertson. Steve is a member of REBA.

 

Steve Moore, head of HR Hymans Robertson

 

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