Member Article

Smarter working for NECC

The North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) has pledged to devise a fully-integrated, flexible working policy for its 250 staff as part of its ongoing commitment to the Work Wise North East campaign. The flagship campaign will promote the wider adoption of smarter working practices, such as flexible working, mobile working, remote working and working from home, tailoring the national Work Wise UK initiative to the North East.

James Ramsbotham, NECC chief executive, said: “NECC is firmly committed to being among the best employers in the UK. Establishing a formal flexible working policy will take our operations up another level and we see it as a real recruitment and retention tool. “Work Wise is not just about better staff practices, it is also about better business. We see tremendous benefits for the customer service we provide to our 4,400 members by adopting these new practices. It is a way for businesses to take a lead in demonstrating what should be done to address the needs of 21st century business.”

NECC, holder of Investors in People status since 1997, hopes that it can take a proactive lead in the bid to help many more businesses of all sizes to take up the Work Wise mantle.

Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK, said: “While smarter working improves productivity and enhances the working environment, it also reduces the need to travel and staggers the rush hour. Even a small change in working practices across the North East will see a marked fall in congestion, and a significant impact on emission levels.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .