In the present economic climate organisations are looking at ways to take cost out of their businesses. Statistics show that the average small business could save up to £100,000 a year if staff were encouraged to work from home. For large organisations the potential savings are much greater.

Workplace design specialists Space Solutions will give a keynote address on the subject at Scotland's first Home Working conference in Edinburgh on June 19.

Head of Space Solutions Work Performance Team Mark Breingan will be showing businesses that to gain these financial benefits, there are many considerations which need to be taken into account for such a change to be successful.

He said: "The perception that all you need is a laptop, broadband and a mobile phone to allow your staff to homework is why so many organisations have tried it and failed.


"It's only when homeworking is viewed as an integral part of a holistic and flexible change in peoples working practices that it will pay off; of course when it pays off the results can be spectacular.

"For example, a project we were involved in with Walsall Council which involved home working as part of a smart working programme, the results showed an incredible success, with significant savings being realized and absenteeism rates dropping by 50%."

Among the considerations Space Solutions look at is an organisations ability to introduce flexible working, this includes ensuring that its ICT systems and processes can adapt to remote working while still offering data security. The other essential consideration is the organisations readiness to change which includes changes to the culture of managing employees from a distance not to mention a change to the behaviors and mindsets of staff.

Space Solutions is Scotland's biggest independent expert in helping businesses manage changes within the workplace. It operates UK-wide to design, build, fit out, refurbish and relocate modern and productive business environments. It is also the approved architects for Knight Property Group, who won Developer of the Year title in the 2009 Scottish Property Awards.

Mark points out that if homeworking as part of a flexible working programme is properly planned and implemented, companies can save around £5000 a year per employee, while staff become more motivated and productive.

The event, taking place at Scottish Widows Edinburgh HQ on June 19, is being organised by ergonomics solution company Posturite.

(GK/JM)