In 2005 Hertfordshire County Council embarked on 'The Way We Work' project to dramatically reduce their office accommodation and transform the way they work. This involved moving from 52 buildings of various shapes, sizes and condition to 3 new strategically located bases over a two year period, which directly affected over 4000 staff. Flexible working was the foundation of its approach. The accommodation was designed to be ergonomically more conducive to staff and more economic to run. Team desk areas were created for staff who were classified as ‘in and out’ and touchdown areas have been created for use by mobile working staff. After settling into the new accommodation staff found many benefits to these new ways of working, including: better working relationships through face to face liaison, a better working environment with more options for meetings, greater flexibility for staff in working patterns and improved technology. Other benefits included a 16% reduction in workspace, a 10% reduction in business travel, extended opening hours, increased demand for flexible working and improved staff retention.
© 2010 AMA Alexi Marmot Associates
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