Member Article

Technology key to flexible working legislation

A North East-based telecommunications company says businesses can meet the Government’s new flexible working legislation by embracing technology.

The Government recently announced that employees with more than six months’ service now have the right to request flexible working hours, which includes, where appropriate, the option to work from home.

Rather than being a burden on business, Stockton firm Odyssey Systems suggest that the use of technology will not only enable employers to adhere to the legislation, but also improve productivity levels.

In particular, the rollout of superfast broadband allows homeworkers to securely access business IT systems through remote desktop, cloud computing solutions.

Utilising broadband also ensures that interaction between homeworkers and colleagues isn’t restricted to telephone calls with the ability to use home video conferencing.

Developments in traditional landline telephone systems also allow businesses to have employees work from home without causing any disruption to customers.

Mike Odysseas, Managing Director of Odyssey Systems, said: “While companies that operate supposedly ‘traditional’ office hours may believe this legislation is more suited to firms that operate on shifts and will only serve to cause disruption, there is technology available that will make their lives a lot easier.

“The advances that have been made in landline telephony and the rollout of superfast broadband make the new flexible working legislation a practical option for businesses.

“It can also make businesses more productive as employees will be able to access the same information on their home PC, through secure data processes, as they would if they were in the office and also interact with colleagues through video conferencing.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .