Another day, another big employer changes its stance - permanently - on remote working. Along with the likes of Unilever, Natwest, Google, RBS, Credit Suisse - and the list goes on... Siemens have given their employees the opportunity to work remotely for two or three days a week.
The decision was made after the company was forced to work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. And these changes have been associated with a different leadership style that focuses on outcomes as opposed to time spent at the office. The German company says its board have approved a new working model which will allow employees to work from where they are most productive, including at home or from a co-working space. Siemens stated their aim is to enable employees worldwide to work on a mobile basis for an average of two or three days a week, whenever reasonable and feasible. The new model will apply to more than 140,000 employees at around 125 locations in 43 countries. Wow!
Such moves have been gaining more and more traction over the last couple of months as firms seek cost reductions or employee convenience - or both. But let’s just take a moment to think through some of the impact of this sea change.
What does this mean for all those huge office blocks in London? What does it mean for mental health when you're working remotely, not alongside colleagues? How can we shape the new working landscape so we don't completely forfeit working friendships, connections and collaborations - after all, the need to connect is so powerful and part of what makes us human? Lack of connections during lockdown has been one of the hardest things to bear.
There’s no doubt that the pandemic has caused a seismic change in our working practices. Technology has been our saviour but we have found it is no substitute for real human contact. So how should we structure our workplaces to allow for 50-60% remote working whilst not losing the benefit of teamwork and the collaboration and creativity that comes with that?
Perhaps moving forwards our offices will be all about projecting a great brand experience and fantastic spaces to entertain customers. The focus will shift to providing flexible locations for hosting brainstorms, team meetings and hackathons. Co-working spaces will become more important and expectations of the services they provide will increase. Having a pleasant space to go to outside the home will be key - after all, those of us that have worked from home over the past four months have found it deeply challenging and frustrating to do so alongside the rest of the family – or is that just me?!? Being able to drop in to a local co-working space and be free of the constant requests for food, homework help, wifi assistance, etc, etc., will enable us to keep our sanity for a little longer.
And on that note, I say roll on September and the return of the schools. And fingers crossed we can keep C-19 reasonably at bay until we have access to instant testing and/or a vaccine.
Wishing you and yours a relaxed and healthy summer.
Ruth George - HR Consultant
ruth@ruthgeorge.com; 07899 920075
This is not legal advice and is provided for general information only. © Ruth George HR Consulting.
Such moves have been gaining more and more traction over the last couple of months as firms seek cost reductions or employee convenience - or both. But let’s just take a moment to think through some of the impact of this sea change.
What does this mean for all those huge office blocks in London? What does it mean for mental health when you're working remotely, not alongside colleagues? How can we shape the new working landscape so we don't completely forfeit working friendships, connections and collaborations - after all, the need to connect is so powerful and part of what makes us human? Lack of connections during lockdown has been one of the hardest things to bear.
There’s no doubt that the pandemic has caused a seismic change in our working practices. Technology has been our saviour but we have found it is no substitute for real human contact. So how should we structure our workplaces to allow for 50-60% remote working whilst not losing the benefit of teamwork and the collaboration and creativity that comes with that?
Perhaps moving forwards our offices will be all about projecting a great brand experience and fantastic spaces to entertain customers. The focus will shift to providing flexible locations for hosting brainstorms, team meetings and hackathons. Co-working spaces will become more important and expectations of the services they provide will increase. Having a pleasant space to go to outside the home will be key - after all, those of us that have worked from home over the past four months have found it deeply challenging and frustrating to do so alongside the rest of the family – or is that just me?!? Being able to drop in to a local co-working space and be free of the constant requests for food, homework help, wifi assistance, etc, etc., will enable us to keep our sanity for a little longer.
And on that note, I say roll on September and the return of the schools. And fingers crossed we can keep C-19 reasonably at bay until we have access to instant testing and/or a vaccine.
Wishing you and yours a relaxed and healthy summer.
Ruth George - HR Consultant
ruth@ruthgeorge.com; 07899 920075
This is not legal advice and is provided for general information only. © Ruth George HR Consulting.