Cheap Broadband Helps Parents Flexible Working Hours

With more parents now entitled to ask their employers for more flexible working hours, cheap broadband looks set to help businesses cope with the expected increase in demand of staff wanting to work from home.

Many companies have been worried about the high costs of setting up the necessary technology for their staff to work from home. However, the Citrix Online Director of E-Commerce, Andrew Millard, says that it isn’t as expensive to make the necessary changes as businesses might think.

Mr Millard said, “With technologies now in place to help companies mobilise a remote workforce quickly and easily, without the need for expensive on-premise infratsructure costs, this latest announcement gives businesses an opportunity to drive efficiencies into their operation, while increasing staff morale, retention and productivity levels.”

So whilst businesses may need to put initial technology into place, the long term cost benefits could far outweight the initial expense.

The use of broadband can enable employees to keep in touch with the office even when they aren’t there. Emails and even video calls can be conducted online which makes it a lot easier to work from home.

Allowing employees to have flexible working hours will also help to reduce time off and boost morale too. The only problem that really presents itself is to businesses which use older computers.

The Business Development Manager of Aastra, Mike Ballentine, said, “Most modern systems provide IP capabilities when and how you want them, but if you have a very old system you may need to look for an upgrade.”

The new legislation regarding flexible working hours for parents comes into place this week. Businesses can use the legislation to their advantage if they do embrace the change and put into place the appropriate technology needed for employees to work from home.