BUSINESS
requiring the typing skills of an old-school typist to answer. Whereas, before, most issues would have been dealt with on the phone, with just salient points confirmed by email.” There is a recognition that the new
arrangements will probably need to be in place for some time, and that this may present challenges for some. “Working from home is always good for the first two weeks, until the novelty wears off. The key thing is to establish a routine, and be aware of guilty feelings that you are not doing enough”, cautions Mr Glass.
This could lead to people working longer hours
than they would normally. The fact that travel time was now seconds rather than 30 minutes or an hour, should not be a reason to work longer hours, he says. Practicing what he preaches, Mr Glass makes a
point of finishing at 5pm and then going for daily exercise, in contrast to remaining in the office for half an hour or more to avoid Milton Keynes’ traffic exodus. Staff are making use of a variety of impromptu
work set-ups at home. These include workstations in conservatories, kitchens, bedrooms, as well as purpose-designed home offices. Sam Buckell, PA to Mr Glass, is working from her kitchen, making use of the expansive work surface, not to mention the close-at-hand tea- making facilities. “It is working really well. In the office I am used to using two screens, which is handy when moving between multiple documents and programs. I am currently working on a laptop. I could get a second screen up and running if needed. But it is surprising how quickly you adapt to new ways of working.”
sure. And more time at home makes our dog very happy!”
dog. If I like, I can sit in my pyjamas all day with my hair sticking up and no make-up on,” she muses.
Ms Thompson has a desk in her living room with a large monitor, which comes in useful for her big spreadsheets. However, if it’s warm and she is not working on multiple things at once, she prefers working in her conservatory on a laptop. The biggest single downside, she says, is
missing the camaraderie. It was always easier to discuss a work issue face-to-face rather than over the phone or via email. “I am also more aware in the office of what is happening day-to-day in the business, which is invaluable to me. However, overall, the pros outweigh the cons for me.” You might think that home working might
Will Pribyl, general manager of Green Point UK, is working from a bedroom office that, before Covid-19, was the nerve-centre for his fishing tackle collection. “It was something of a man- cave,” says Mr Pribyl, “however, it didn’t take long to clear the space and set up a desk.” He is travelling into work alternate days, since
Green Point’s business is centred on practical workshop activities. How is he finding it? “Having a 50/50 split is ideal for me, to be honest. It means I can focus on operational matters when I’m in the office, and on business development when I’m at home, where there are fewer day-to- day distractions.” There is also a benefit in dealing with customers who are working in similar remote situations, he says. “People seem to have more time to talk, opening up opportunities to strengthen relationships and explore business issues in more depth than would otherwise be possible with a busy office humming in the background.” On the management side of his role, he makes
a point to speak to his team every day to check on how they are doing and keep in touch with any issues.
Is she finding that customers are also working from home, and are there any unexpected upsides as a result of the new arrangements? “Most people I speak to in the day are set up at home. Yes, there are definitely some benefits from home working. I am eating better quality lunches for
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He has no doubt about the main upside with the new working arrangements. “The new commute is transformational,” he says. “There is sometimes a bit of congestion on the landing, but that soon clears once breakfast is mentioned. But seriously, it can take more than 30 mins to get to the office, and it gets worse every year. Working from home removes the stress of travelling, and adds at least an extra hour to the day, which contributes a lot to the quality of life.” The improvement in the quality of life is also a theme with Ellie Thompson, the companies’ finance director. “I find I am much more productive due to there being fewer distractions. Plus there is no need to rush home to walk the
result in people getting even less exercise than normal. However, Tina Ruff, accounts assistant, has a cunning solution. “I am working in the dining room, while the telephone is in the lounge, and the printer is upstairs in the spare bedroom. By a stroke of luck – or bad planning – I seem to be getting more exercise than usual at the moment!”
. Phil Godbehere, Bitzer UK’s sales business
line manager, is an old hand at working from home, but the current situation has thrown up some fresh challenges. “I have been working from my home office base for many years now, so understand the discipline required. However, when things are normal I am usually out of the office three to four days a week seeing customers. This is obviously not possible, and quite a change, which can be frustrating.”
He adds: “You have to remember that it is the same for competitors across the industry. Everyone is in the same boat. You just have to be even more proactive than usual on the phone and email, and make sure you keep in touch with your customers.”
And the best thing about working from home? “Never missing a delivery, and working in casuals.”
May 2020 17
Will P
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