For organisations that are
Best Places to Work, ensuring that staff
maintain a healthy work/life balance is crucial. This fosters a
positive working environment and helps to retain valuable staff
members.
To maintain this balance, firms are increasingly open to
flexible working patterns. They are also making using of mobile and
web-based technologies to give employees greater opportunities to
work remotely.
As well as day-to-day choices, flexibility can take the form of
offering staff sabbaticals. The evidence is that this is a growing
trend, although some employers place restrictions on where and how
sabbaticals may be spent. Others are taking a more laissez-faire
approach, which may appeal to a younger generation that favours
long stints of travel in long-haul destinations.
Insurance group Aviva has the concept of flexibility embedded
throughout the company, with several general schemes available.
Local initiatives, tailored to a department's needs, are also
encouraged.
Aviva's IT department does not work fixed hours. Instead, team
members are trusted to record their time accurately and do the
hours required to get the job done.
A spokesman said this mature approach allowed staff to take time
off in lieu, leave early or start late on certain days, and was
acknowledged by other staff members as simply "taking back" some of
what they have "put in".
Working from home is also offered by the insurer on a needs
basis. For example, a team member who is unable to work from the
office due to family commitments but is able to provide a support
role from home can be set up with a laptop and teleconferencing
facilities, which are available externally.
Aviva also recognises and supports government initiatives that
encourage mothers to return to work and local arrangements such as
job sharing for those wishing to return on a part-time basis.
Book a table at the awards ceremony
The Best Places to Work in IT Awards 2007 will be presented on 2
March at the Grosvenor Marriott Square Hotel in London.
Now in its fifth year, the lunchtime ceremony will play host to
the UK's best UK IT employers.
With IT departments from leading companies of all sizes,
representing every sector of UK business life, the awards offer a
unique networking opportunity.
To guarantee your place, and secure your opportunity to network
with the UK's best IT employers, go online or contact Siobhan
Abbott:
020 8652 3887
siobhan.abbott@rbi.co.uk
Best Places to Work in IT 2007 shortlist
www.computerweekly.com/bestplacestowork