Validium welcomes Work From Home Day

Helen Knight, a consultant with Validium one of the UKís providers of EAP services and HR consultancy, today welcomed National Work from Home Day.

A passionate believer in the importance of achieving a work/life balance, she herself works from home several times a week, enabling her to take her daughter to school and participate in the usual family routine whilst still fulfilling work obligations.

She said: ìIt does appear that in the last few years organisations have moved away from ëpresenteeismí within the office. However there is still an ëold schoolí approach in some companies, ie if you are perched on your chair in the office you are working productively, if you are out of sight then you are not.

ìWith wireless laptops and mobiles, there is no reason why most office based employees canít work effectively from home at least occasionally.

ìCompanies really do need to recognise the positive impact a ëHome Working Policyí can have on employeesí wellbeing and also in making an employer more attractive in the marketplace.

ìHappier employees are generally more engaged and motivated and will be more willing to ëgo that extra mileí when required.î

Helen also points out that home working will usually have a positive impact on reducing sickness absence and that it is kinder on the environment, can reduce company overheads and the ístressí of the daily commute to work.

Another positive is that employees will not get involved in the same degree of office politics as they may do when office based.

However she warns that homeworking can be isolating and therefore companies should ensure that there are strong communication channels in place, before introducing a íHomeworking Policyí. Support and mentoring could be provided by an on-line support group for instance, suggests Helen.

To chat to Helen about her own experiences of homeworking or about the impact it can have on absence rates please contact Christine Ferguson at BRIGHT PR on 0141 248 1234.

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