Work Flexibility Gaining Popularity Across Globe
Ideas of flexible working have moved beyond the option to work from the office or from home, to being able to work anywhere. The reality of anywhere working, however, varies widely across companies and countries.
A research on changing world of work by Polycom highlights that nearly two thirds of the global workforce currently take advantage of anywhere working. Compared to May 2012, when only 14 percent benefitted from remote working, this is a huge and relatively fast shift in working culture. The research of over 24,000 respondents across 12 countries suggests the trend is evident across the globe.
The most popular reported benefit of anywhere working is its contribution to a better work-life balance. Countries including China (72%), Canada (70%) and Australia (68%) all agreed that this is the main advantage.
More than half (62%) of all respondents (and more than two thirds of Russian and Indian respondents) said their biggest concern is being perceived as less hardworking if they adopt the practice.
The survey also reveals some common concerns about anywhere working, such as the fear of being perceived as less hardworking. It also reveals the difference between the approach to anywhere working of more experienced 45 – 60 year old employees and their millennial counterparts (18 – 30 years old).
Not all cultures approach work in the same way, so variations in preferences from country to country are inevitable. The research revealed that Brazilians are ahead of the curve, with 80% of employees adopting anywhere working - more than any other country surveyed.
Technology encourages teamwork
The right technology, in particular video collaboration technology, is crucial for successful anywhere working. 75 percent of those surveyed said that they use collaboration technologies regularly to communicate with stakeholders based elsewhere.
More than 70 percent of Indian workers noted feeling that they know their colleagues more personally thanks to the regular use of video technology. Voice calls, email or instant messages (IM) lack the face-to-face engagement that is essential to building rapport, team spirit and productivity.
The survey found that people who use video collaboration tools often are more likely to pick up the phone and chat to someone to solve a quick question (46%), rather than IM (37%). Furthermore, 49% of workers worldwide said they considered their tone in emails more carefully if they spoke to the recipient on video as well.
