FLEXIBLE WORKING
FLEXIBLE WORKING FOR
INTERNATIONAL FRONTIERS
Preparing to address the CIPD’s annual conference, Gillian Daines, innovation director at Forster Communications, spoke to Ruth Holmes about flexibility for all in a global, techology-enabled workplace.
The multi-generational workforce, societal demands for more sustainable and transparent businesses, new technologies and globalisation are driving more agile and responsive people practices. International businesses and those managing international
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assignments are interested in how they can communicate with their global teams effectively, especially as well-being rises up the agenda for international assignees and globally mobile employees. The rise of flexible working approaches is one product of these
changes. When it is handled well, the evidence suggests, flexible working can offer a win-win situation. A survey cited by the CIPD, the professional body for human
resources (HR) and people development, found that 73 per cent of employers who offered flexible working reported a positive impact on staff motivation and engagement.
he theme of 2017 CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) Annual Conference, which took place in November, was embracing the future world of work.
London-based Forster Communications, a social change PR
firm, is one employer that recognises the value of flexibility. It is embracing flexible working practices as a core part of its value proposition for its 25 employees, and for mutual benefit.
The future world of work One of the key drivers behind Forster’s approach is the opportunities that come from being part of an international network. “The workplace is becoming more global,” said Gillian Daines, the
company’s innovation director, as she prepared to address delegates at the CIPD conference. “We are more closely connected and there is technology to help with that. There is less need to fly around the world and do business in person. “From the perspective of employee well-being and how work
and businesses are run, that comes with pros and cons. The pros are that you can have clients all over the world and you can talk to them at 2am, and that’s all great. “At the same time, though, you have to be mindful of your
18 | Re:locate | January 2018
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