The Logic House

Flexible working hours

the answer to congestion charge costs, says The Logic House (UK) Limited

Proposals for the Cambridge congestion charge are making it clear to business owners and managers that they will end up holding responsibility for the environmental impact of their staff travel.

Whilst Cambridgeshire County Council claim that nothing is settled until the results of the consultation are reviewed and government money is awarded, businesses who suspect a fait acompli similar to the guided bus consultation are preparing for the worst.

“It doesn’t have to be the worst case scenario for either companies or employees” points out Richard Piotrowski, Director of The Logic House Ltd. “The idea that every one of your employees should be in the same geographical location for 100% of the working day deserves its own place in the Museum of Technology.

“Back when computers were expensive, typewriters were heavy and everything was tied to the ground with wires of course it was necessary to come in to the office to use the expensive equipment. Now nearly everyone has a computer and Internet access at home and, more importantly, we can do so much more than send emails.

”Company extranets mean that your office can be anywhere you want it to be. So long as you have an Internet connection you can be in the office. You don’t even need a laptop or any special software, just an Internet browser.

“If you decide to make your core office ours 10am until 3pm to avoid the congestion charge you can make sure that when employees are working from home they are just as productive as when they’re in the office, if not more so without having to invest in laptops for everyone.

“As well as all the usual office tools like diaries and email an extranet will let you work on reports, use databases, send messages to other employees, manage resources like meeting rooms, assign tasks to your team, update client or staff records - the list is endless. You can even manage the team lunch bookings.

“The congestion charge could add £2,000 to the employer’s costs for every new employee recruited. In contrast extranets start from £3,500 and can support all your employees.

Piotrowski added: “There are lots of good reasons for an employer to offer flexible working, not least the legislation that makes it a right for parents and carers. Flexible working is something that is easy to deliver and pays dividends.”

To find out how The Logic House can bring your project working into the 21st century call us on (01223) 721643 or visit www.thelogichouse.co.uk.