Is home working all it’s cracked up to be?

Is home working all it’s cracked up to be

Flexible working is often perceived as a benefit to employers and employees alike. But is it really such a good idea?

By Ernest Richardson

Since the late 1990s, there has been a noticeable shift towards flexible working, a trend that was significantly accelerated by the recent pandemic.

The common wisdom is that if you give employees flexibility about when and where they work, you empower them to make smarter use of their time, to go with the flow and deliver more for your business.

Staff with the freedom to work remotely tend to be more productive...  

A few years ago the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) set up a taskforce to encourage flexible working among employers. The initiative was supported by high-profile organisations such as the CIPD, CBI and TUC.

From an employer’s perspective, the benefits of flexible working are clear. Staff with the freedom to work remotely tend to be more productive and are more likely to stick with their job. They are also more likely to work additional hours in order to complete a task.

The reasons for their enthusiasm are obvious: if you work from home you miss the commute, have flexibility about when and where you work, and can fit working commitments around other activities such as sport, childcare or socialising.

And, of course, you have the distinct advantage of being able to spend the day in your pyjamas. Unless you have a video conference call, obvs.

Is home working all it’s cracked up to beBut there are doubts over the advantages to employees of flexible working. For example, a survey by Orange Business Services as long ago as 2007 found that 40 per cent of homeworkers didn’t feel as if they had more time by virtue of their working pattern. What is more, 45 per cent felt they were working more hours for less, because their working lives eat into evenings and weekends.

Another insight comes from an international study of flexible workers, which found that 41 per cent considered themselves “highly stressed”. When compared to the 25 per cent of on-site employees feeling comparable stress levels, it suggests the freedom of working remotely may not be such a boon, after all.

“The main issue with remote working is whether or not it’s sustainable for the job you do,” says Peter Foy, a director at Just Recruitment Group Ltd. “In our industry, for example, it wouldn’t really be possible to let employees work from home. So much of what we do involves face-to-face meetings, and working in an office where you have access to databases and colleagues’ intelligence and creativity.

For many home-workers, the biggest challenge is overcoming feelings of loneliness.  

“In fact,” he continues, “I think it could be quite isolating to work in our sector without coming to an office.”

This mention of isolation is pertinent. For many home-workers, the biggest challenge is overcoming feelings of loneliness. As irritating as the daily commute can be, it may be a price worth paying for the sake of interacting with colleagues during the working day.

“There is certainly a sense in which chatting to colleagues makes you better able to do your job,” says Mr Foy. “While it may reduce productivity in the sense of outputs, I think it can enhance an organisation’s culture in other ways.

“For example, I find conversations with my co-workers stimulating and wide-ranging. They add value to my working efforts and spark ideas. It may mean I get less done, but at a deeper level, I think it makes me better at my job.”

This may explain why many people—especially men—regard flexible working as career-limiting, fearing that it will impair their chances of promotion, or send a signal about a lack of hunger to progress.

“It is certainly a mixed picture,” concludes Mr Foy. “There will clearly be some industries, some companies, and some employees for whom remote and flexible working patterns make all kinds of sense. But it’s important not to accept its benefits uncritically. For many, the discipline of a daily trip to the office may be just what they need to succeed.”

 

If you enjoyed this article, you may also like:
What are catalytic mechanisms?
We need a better politics, and it needs to happen in person

 

Published: 16 October 2024
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2024

Jobs currently available

Design Technician
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913668
About the role

Just Recruitment is partnering with a well-established and successful business in Ipswich to recruit a Design Technician to join their long-standing team.

Working within the Technical department and reporting to the Design Technician Supervisor, this role offers an exciting and challenging opportunity to provide support to the business through the production of technical design drawings, checking and processing of technical documentation, and production of technical calculations within a specialised environment.

Duties include:

  • Produce, check and process incoming design drawing requests, technical documentation and technical calculations.
  • Liaise with clients and Area Technical Managers.
  • Deal with telephone and email enquiries.
  • General administration.
  • Keep up-to-date with Part L & Thermal Calculations.

Skills required:

  • A basic level of CAD experience is essential.
  • Good understanding of specification construction, survey reports and construction drawings.
  • The ability to read and understand architectural drawings is essential.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
CAD Technician/Order Processor
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: £25,500 - £26,500 per annum
Location: Witham
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913665
About the role

Just Recruitment is supporting a well-regarded and long-standing business in Witham, looking to add a CAD Technician/ Order Processor to their team.

You will be responsible for processing daily drawings and have experience in reading dimensions from drawings with a keen eye for detail.

This role involves working in a customer service-oriented industry, and you will need to have a positive ‘can-do’ attitude. You will be assisting and helping the customer service team with general administrative duties when required — in addition, you will cover the Order Entry team with entering, vetting and checking when required.

Duties include:

  • Drawing a minimum of 60 bespoke drawings a day.
  • Maintaining customer service level standard with current and new customers.
  • Undertake any administrative functions within the office as allocated by your team leader.
  • Holiday cover for other administrative roles.
  • Responding to queries in a timely manner.
  • Vetting of customer drawings and orders.

Skills required:

  • Experience with Autocad.
  • Good understanding of Geometry.
  • Excellent attention to detail
  • Confident with technical information (or confidence to learn).
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to build relationships quickly and effectively.
  • Self-motivated.
  • Ability to work under pressure.
  • Computer Literate (Excel/Word).

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Production Operative
Sector: Production and Stock Control
Salary: Competitive
Location: Colchester
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913669
About the role

Just Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a well-regarded business on the outskirts of Colchester to recruit a Production Operative to their existing team.

Working within a busy manufacturing facility, you will be required to work with the wider team to ensure production and business targets are met and that clients receive the required products on time.

You will come from a manufacturing or production background — used to handling large, heavy products, although if you have no experience and have a great attitude, you will be considered.

Working days: Monday to Friday on a shift basis (6.00am to 2.30pm and 1.30pm to 10.00pm) — overtime is available as per business needs.

This employer believes in investment and training.

An uplift in the basic salary will be offered with every machine you are trained on once you have met the required standards.

Free parking is available on site.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Finance Assistant
Sector: Accountancy, Banking and Finance
Salary: £26,000 - £28,000 per annum
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913647
About the role

Just Recruitment is seeking a Finance Assistant for a company based outside Ipswich.

The Finance Assistant is responsible for assisting the Finance Manager with various administrative duties and assisting with the preparation of financial reports, as well as other duties related to the Finance department.

Duties include:

  • Taking ownership of monitoring the purchase ledger inbox.
  • Controlling incoming posts, scanning and distributing to the correct individual.
  • Processing invoices.
  • Dealing with supplier queries.
  • Raising self-bills and supplier statements.
  • Arranging supplier weekly and monthly payments to ensure timely settlement.
  • Answering incoming supplier calls efficiently, with a positive attitude.
  • Assist with the maintenance of key accounting software.

Requirements:

  • Strong mathematical skills.
  • Excellent communication skills for use internally and externally.
  • Dynamic problem-solving skills.
  • Good attention to detail.
  • Good organisational skills.
  • Familiarity with Xero is preferable.

Please note that due to the company’s location, you will need to drive.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Customer Service Administrator
Sector: Public Service and Administration
Salary: £25,500 - £26,500 per annum
Location: Witham
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913664
About the role

Just Recruitment is partnering with a well-established and successful business in Witham to recruit a Customer Service Administrator to join their long-standing team.

You will be responsible for providing a high level of customer service to regular customers and internal customers such as production, accounts, transport and the sales team. Work to key KPI’s to ensure the highest levels of customer service are maintained and improved upon.

Duties include:

  • Vet customer orders ready for processing onto the system. This includes applying the correct delivery dates to suit the customer's requirements whilst ensuring it fits in with the production dates, capabilities and delivery areas.
  • Answering the telephone within 3 rings and having an enthusiastic attitude to deal with and resolve customers' queries or issues in a timely manner.
  • Proactively chase customers to resolve queries if they have not come back with a response. Ensure all verbal correspondence is confirmed in writing and the system is updated with correct information.
  • Support the end-of-month invoicing procedure, investigate and find any missing delivery notes.
  • Routinely speak to key accounts and regular customers to grow a productive working relationship with them. 

Key skills required:

  • Exceptional customer service skills — you must have a friendly and positive phone manner.
  • Energetic, self-driven and motivated.
  • Excellent attention to detail.
  • Ability to continually multitask.
  • Ability to prioritise your time to plan and organise your day.
  • Ability to learn and absorb information.

Hour: Monday to  Friday, 8.30am to 5.00pm.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more