LOCAL AUTHORITIES KEEN TO WORK SMARTER

Northumberland County Council shared with delegates a case study of its progress in implementing smarter working practices as part of its Work Well initiative.

The Work Well campaign was developed to change working practices within the council to meet a number of objectives including reducing the council's carbon footprint, improving staff productivity, reducing office space and helping to solve other problems such as a shortage in car parking.

Philippa Seccombe, Training and Development Officer at NCC discussed how problems faced during implementation of its Work Well programme were overcome. She said:

"I really hope the Work Well scheme has inspired some of the organisations present to take up smarter working practice and we have demonstrated that there are practical ways round the problems faced in developing home working policies."

Simon Roberson, Chairman of Work Wise North East, said:

"It was exciting to hear how NCC's smarter working programme was really taking off with benefits already noticed. Philippa's case study was very encouraging to the organisations that are aware of the benefits of smarter working and wish to take the next important steps towards implementation, but lack the practical experience.

"I look forward to hearing how the organisations that attended progress with implementing smarter working practices."

Although this event was aimed at the public sector, there are many more exciting opportunities coming up for organizations of all sizes in both the public and private sectors to find out about the benefits that smarter working offers to all employers.