Cut costs - use flexible workers

A new report by Morgan Lovell, the workplace specialist, shows that up to 20% of the space in a typical office is under-used at any one time.

The findings are based on studies carried out on 20 UK companies over the last 18 months. It was found that under-usage of workspace led to employers over-estimating their requirements and spending more money than necessary on occupancy costs.

One of the main reasons for under-use is that workstations lie idle when people are ill, on holiday or in meetings.

Farol Goldbart, head of consultancy at Morgan Lovell, says: "Occupancy decisions are invariably based on the assumption that workstations are used constantly throughout the day. The use of flexible working practices can reduce the number of workstations required, leading to a reduction in the floorspace requirement."

As an example, Morgan Lovell estimates that a company with a 50,000sq ft office in the South East, with an assumed running cost of £50 per sq ft, could reduce its total occupancy costs by £500,000 a year by reconfiguring space to eliminate waste.

Flexible working is also the suggested solution to the limitations of the traditional working week, according to a report by the Institute of Management.

This report, 'A Workstyle Revolution?', shows that companies can be categorised in two groups:

• Flexi-leaders - those who have flexible working well established
• Flexi-laggers - those still in the early stages of introduction

Research found that the leaders are far more likely to value their employees, based on their significant contribution to organisational performance and the ability to respond rapidly to change.

The report concludes that 'the flexi-worker has become integral to many organisations' success'. In addition, flexible work practices are becoming a key feature in the ability to attract and retain the best people, says the IM.

Julie Crisp