Chris Lee considers how IT managers can help to shape corporate teleworking strategy Proponents of mobile working claim a range of benefits through reduced dependency on traditional offices, from higher productivity to lower costs. These benefits have been backed up by recent findings from market research group Mori. It found that 64 percent of mobile workers in the UK felt using a laptop had made them more productive, although 15 percent felt mobile working increased stress. Corporate uptake is mirroring general consumer trends towards mobile technology and communications. A cost benefit analysis is essential before approaching the board with a plan.
Boards tend only to see the bottom line, but the issue is productivity and staff morale.
You will save money in the long term with high staff retention, higher productivity and motivation and lower property costs.'Workers with families should particularly benefit. Services firm ICL is one major company benefiting from an ethos of flexible working. Although emerging technologies such as Bluetooth will support mobile working, firms such as Toshiba recommend the drawing up of a comprehensive mobile working policy to make teleworking effective. These include the establishment of a 'wireless taskforce', evaluation of staff training and transport needs, reviews of health and safety procedures, and restructuring of human resources policies. Cross-departmental collaboration is essential for mobile working to function effectively.