1. Unit 2 The Working Environment Unit 2a – Office Layout Changing Work Patterns

2. Homeworking/Teleworking  Employees  Employees work from home some or all of the time.  They  They communicate with the office using telephones, mobiles, email, faxes, etc  Only  Only suitable for certain jobs

3. Advantages  Individuals can work times that suit them  Saves time and costs travelling to work  Less stressful for employees  People with disabilities can work from home  Can keep hold of valuable members of staff who might otherwise leave, eg women who have just had a baby  Less office space required - saving on rent, heat, light etc  Workers may be more productive  The organisation can employ people who don't live near to the office

4. Disadvantages  Difficult to supervise  Feelings of isolation  Low morale  Hard to arrange training  It is hard to feel like you can ever get away from work.  A lot of distractions  Workers might not be at home to receive an email or urgent telephone call

5. Hot Desks  A  A desk or workstation, equipped with standard equipment, which may be used by employees who need to visit the organisation to undertake some work.  Should  Should be booked in advance for use by any employee.  Must  Must be left neat and tidy, the way it was found as many employees need to use it.

6. HOT ROOM  A  A place to hold meetings.  Must  Must be booked in advance in the same way as a hot desk.  Good  Good for confidential discussions.

7. Touchdown areas  For  For employees who make brief visits to the office. Eg to send an e-mail or fax.  May  May take the form of a coffee bar with high tables and stools.  Not  Not BOOKABLE they are meant to be used for very short periods of time.

8. Job Sharing  Employees  Employees share a full time job between them.  Each  Each employee is paid a proportion of the full-time salary.  Suitable  Suitable for employees who do not wish to take on a full-time work commitment.  If  If one of the job-share partners is off sick, the other might be willing to cover.  Not  Not suitable for all types of employment.

9. Advantages  Employers are often able to keep staff (who may otherwise have left).  Because of a reduced working commitment staff morale is improved.  Two people sharing a job often provide different skills and expertise.  Allows a good work/life balance.

10. Flexitime  Employees  Employees are given some flexibility in organising their starting/finishing times.  Allows  Allows employees to start/leave early or late or take a longer lunch-break.  Employees  Employees are required to be at work each day during core time.  Employees  Employees have to clock in and out to record times of arrival/departure.

11. Advantages  Allows an employee to: choose their own working hours (outwith core time) choose their own working hours (outwith core time) avoid peak travelling times. avoid peak travelling times. build up extra hours and ‘bank’ these to take time off at a later date. build up extra hours and ‘bank’ these to take time off at a later date. organise their working hours around personal commitments. organise their working hours around personal commitments.  Advantages to employers: Core time allows employers/customers to know when staff are in the workplace. Core time allows employers/customers to know when staff are in the workplace. Core time allows meetings to be arranged (with all staff). Core time allows meetings to be arranged (with all staff). Staff less likely to take time off, eg doctor, dentist appointments Staff less likely to take time off, eg doctor, dentist appointments Staff will be more motivated and work harder. Staff will be more motivated and work harder. Less absenteeism Less absenteeism

12. Implications of change  Plan how change will be introduced  Introduce change gradually  Inform employees what is happening  Involve employees  Provide appropriate training  Monitor the process of change at each stage