The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has warned that rigid working practices are driving highly qualified workers into jobs below their skill level in order to achieve a work-life balance. In a report, Working outside the box, the EOC revealed that 6.5 million people in Britain could be using their skills fully if more flexible working was available.

The report goes on to say: “Outdated workplace cultures are further damaging the economy by increasing pressure on an over-stretched transport system. Overcrowded rush-hour trains and motorways are causing misery for commuters and wasting time for employers.”

Working wisely involves employer flexibility on employee hours and locations. Employees are allowed benefits such as flexitime, condensed hours, working a week’s hours in four days, or self-rostering. Home or remote working in terms of location will also be considered. There are many variations to these themes, which can be adjusted to suit both employee and employer, such as shift working or even term-time working.

Phil Flaxton, chief executive at Work Wise UK, says: “It is apparent that calls for a change in working practices are gaining momentum. As we have been saying for some time now, wide adoption of smarter working practices is an obvious answer to the four main issues facing our economy today: competitiveness, the environment, road congestion and quality of life.”

BT has been using smarter working practices for over 10 years, with productivity increases of 20% where they are introduced. Currently, 80,000 of its workers, including around 12,000 home workers, are working flexibly.

“Smarter working is a win-win answer, there is no downside. The only obstacles to the wider adoption of smarter working practices are culture and management style, but these are not insurmountable,” says Flaxton. n