Member Article

Local MP endorses smarter working campaign

Flexible working is so important to local MP Sharon Hodgson that she has signed up to back the Work Wise North East campaign. Sharon has been MP for Gateshead East and Washington West for two years and says that juggling her MP commitments and parental responsibilities has always been a challenge.

Sharon puts her success as an MP down to the backing of her husband Alan who works from home as a freelance graphic designer, opting to work from home to spend time with his family. Alan gave up full time employment and a nine to five job to work flexibly from home in the North East.

Sharon said: “Parents who have nine to five jobs must find it so difficult juggling everything especially if they have unsympathetic employers. You can’t help but think of the time that must be wasted being stuck in traffic at peak times. Employers really need to give smarter working practices serious thought – it increases productivity and liberates employees so it’s win-win all round. “There are so many pressures working in a nine to five culture especially if you have caring responsibilities and I am fully behind the Work Wise North East campaign which is striving to remove antiquated work practices. I certainly intend to do everything I can to promote the Work Wise campaign – raising questions in the House of Commons and endorsing Work Wise activities locally as it is such an important initiative.”

Simon Roberson, Chairman of Work Wise North East, said: “We are delighted that Sharon is going to support this campaign. Even a limited change in working practices and culture will lead to increased business productivity and competitiveness, reduce transport congestion and pollution, improve health, assist disadvantaged groups, and harmonise work and family commitments.”

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