CBI Backs Smarter Working Campaign

9th May 2006

The UK's leading business organisation has announced it will encourage the widespread adoption of smarter working practices, such as flexible working, mobile working, remote working and working from home.

The CBI is supporting Work Wise UK, a three-year campaign, as it recognises the potential to fundamentally change the nature of work in this country for the better, and at the same time increase business productivity and competitiveness.

CBI Director-General, Sir Digby Jones, said: "Flexible, smarter working is here to stay. These new ways of working have benefits for companies seeking to recruit, motivate and retain valued staff and for employees who have hectic or demanding lives. More flexible working benefits the economy through higher productivity and reduced transport pressure.

"The challenge for us all is to strike the right balance - both in and outside of work - and achieve the maximum flexibility whilst still meeting the needs of our businesses and customers."

Phil Flaxton, chief executive of the IT Forum Foundation, the not-for-profit organisation behind the campaign, said: "The backing of the CBI is important for Work Wise UK to succeed - employers, both large and small, need to appreciate that the adoption of smarter working practices initiates a self-sustaining cycle of improving productivity and staff well-being.

"In an increasingly competitive global market, working 9 to 5, five days a week at a central location is an anachronism. It is only culture which dictates this rigid work structure - Work Wise UK aims to break down these traditions and make the UK the most progressive economy in the world."

Other benefits of smarter working include reduced transport congestion and pollution, improved health, assisting disadvantaged groups, and the harmonisation of work and family commitments.

Work Wise UK started with Work Wise Week, which ran from 3 to 9 May, intentionally not the traditional working week, and included National Work from Home Day. It began with a major summit at the QEII Conference Centre in London where Sir Digby Jones made a keynote speech, together with Brendan Barber, secretary-general of the TUC, Sir Christopher Bland, chairman of BT, and Meg Munn MP, then Minister for Women and Equality, to 300 influential delegates from government, the unions and business on how to deliver a smarter working Britain.

Further information about Work Wise UK can be found on the website
www.workwiseuk.org