The whole business world is aware of the fact that the desire for flexible working has grown among the working population in recent years. The main driving force behind this major change in working conditions has been the enormous improvements in communication technology which allows so many job functions to be done away from the normal office base. Numerous surveys have revealed that just three per cent of the workforce Work From Home on a permanent basis and this figure has remained the same for a number of years. Therefore it is evident that the rise in flexible working is taking place among those staff who wish to Work From Home for just a part of the week.

The Government’s Omnibus Survey has provided some information on the reasons why existing flexible employees are doing so. Surprisingly, the most common reasons are job-related rather than domestic. The freedom to work longer hours and complete their tasks to a higher standard are the most common reasons why staff currently Work From Home. If this was the usual attitude to their jobs then directors would be hoping that all employees would ask for flexible working! Regrettably tasks that are suitable to be done at home and the statistics show that only three per cent of staff who have never worked from home are confident that they could carry out their jobs at home. As technology plays such a significant part in flexible working a modern Internet Business would probably be most likely to offer Online Jobs to its staff.

There are definite benefits for the employer who embraces flexible working. During the recruitment process more people should be attracted to the vacancy. This may include disabled people who may be well suited to some jobs but need to Work From Home. Also, mothers returning to work will be able to do so more quickly than they would usually be able to as they would have to arrange fewer days of child care. The benefits would also apply to any incumbent staff who experience a change in their personal circumstances which previously would have compelled them to leave the firm. The option to opt for flexible working means that their knowledge will not be lost. Lots of staff who Work From Home maintain that their productivity level rises as they suffer fewer interruptions from other workers, telephones and the general office environment. The trauma of commuting daily to work should not be ignored when debating the value of flexible working. Twenty eight per cent of staff who travel to work by train elect to work at home at least once a month and for those who use the Tube the figure is 18 per cent. Generally, staff morale is raised as staff realise that their employer is offering a change to their working conditions which will help them to overcome potential problem areas in their home lives and this in turn helps to reduce stress levels and sickness absences.

When all these issues are viewed as a package it is clear that it is not only the Internet Business that can obtain some commercial advantage from Online Jobs. If the right conditions exist in terms of people, job specifications and available technology then all businesses should benefit from flexible working. If it really becomes widespread then just think of the savings that could be made in buying smaller premises!!