Change RegionHelping Our... Getting Flexible
Johnson Controls survey sheds light on trend
There was a time, not long ago, when mentioning that you were a “telecommuting” worker meant quizzical stares from people. They either thought you were transitioning out of the workplace altogether … or that you weren’t very career-minded. After all, why would anyone want to be excluded from the hub of work activity—the office?
But nowadays, more people are embracing remote working. In fact, a recent study conducted by Johnson Controls suggests that the office is no longer that traditional hub of business. It now is more of a “collaborative working environment,” one where employees meet and mingle before going back to their remote or home-based work locations.
Anywhere, Anytime
The 2007 Flexible Working Survey, sponsored by Johnson Controls Global WorkPlace Solutions, revealed that fewer people are spending time in the office—with more work conducted from home or other remote locations. (Global WorkPlace Solutions provides a single source for real estate portfolio management, strategic consulting and project management services for businesses.)
The survey found that:
Downsides to Freedom
There is a downside, though. Forty percent of survey respondents feel that flexible work options may lessen their chances of being promoted. And 40 percent feel socially isolated from work colleagues. That may mean flexible workers will need to reach out to their compatriots more often to feel a part of everyday workings of the business.
Still, the increase in flexible working has—and will have—profound effects on how business is conducted. As more workers throughout Europe embrace flexible work schedules, companies will become what Global WorkPlace Solutions calls “boundary-less,” affording businesses the ability to tap the best and brightest minds across nations—and even continents.
But nowadays, more people are embracing remote working. In fact, a recent study conducted by Johnson Controls suggests that the office is no longer that traditional hub of business. It now is more of a “collaborative working environment,” one where employees meet and mingle before going back to their remote or home-based work locations.
Anywhere, Anytime
The 2007 Flexible Working Survey, sponsored by Johnson Controls Global WorkPlace Solutions, revealed that fewer people are spending time in the office—with more work conducted from home or other remote locations. (Global WorkPlace Solutions provides a single source for real estate portfolio management, strategic consulting and project management services for businesses.)The survey found that:
- 70 percent of those people polled in Europe consider themselves to be “location independent,” meaning they can work anywhere at any given time.
- 35 percent don’t feel it’s necessary to even go to the office.
- 60 percent consider their working environment to be “multi-mobile,” affording them the choice to work from home, the office or on the road—as well as any combination of the three.
- Up to 72 percent of survey respondents use the Web or video- or teleconferencing to stay connected.
- More than 70 percent find it easy to separate work and home life—and feel it’s important to do so in a flexible work environment.
Downsides to Freedom
There is a downside, though. Forty percent of survey respondents feel that flexible work options may lessen their chances of being promoted. And 40 percent feel socially isolated from work colleagues. That may mean flexible workers will need to reach out to their compatriots more often to feel a part of everyday workings of the business.Still, the increase in flexible working has—and will have—profound effects on how business is conducted. As more workers throughout Europe embrace flexible work schedules, companies will become what Global WorkPlace Solutions calls “boundary-less,” affording businesses the ability to tap the best and brightest minds across nations—and even continents.
