Kent Connects works with its partners to make flexible working a reality. Full report available here.
01 December 2008
Debbie Wisdom (Kent Connects), Paul Bevan (Unisys), Jeff Wallbank (KPSN Manager)
Kent Connects brought representatives from all its partners together last week (Wednesday 5 November), for a free workshop exploring ways in which they could maximise the benefits from introducing remote, flexible and home-based working arrangements for their Public Service staff.
Kent Connects is Kent and Medway’s lead technology partnership, an alliance of 16 public sector employers: Kent and Medway local authorities, Kent Police and Kent Fire and Rescue. Its role is to tackle the barriers to the joining up and sharing of public services through the application of leading-edge technology, all to the benefit of Kent and Medway’s residents and businesses.
The Kent Connects workshop, sponsored by IT Services Company Unisys, brought together expert practitioners to share best practice and experience in successful implementation of flexible working initiatives. Flexible working is associated with a number of benefits for employers and customers: cost savings, efficiency gains, improved front-line services, reduced CO2 emissions, and improved staff retention and attendance. But there are challenges too, for example making best use of technology, safeguarding staff health and safety standards, and providing effective staff supervision and training.
Debbie Wisdom, Kent Connects’ Strategic Director, explains “Our aim was to bring together public sector managers from across Kent and Medway, to share their practical experience and ideas on flexible working. Delegates heard about successful projects resulting in extended opening hours and other benefits in Canterbury, Maidstone, Medway and elsewhere, as well as how the pitfalls faced along the way were overcome.”
Paul Bevan of Unisys, the event sponsor, said “Technology is continually evolving and the workshop provided delegates with an opportunity to hear about some of the latest innovations. This workshop encouraged our partners to identify and look at new ways that they may be able to work and structure themselves to become more efficient, as well as consider the new responsibilities that come alongside this.”
As a result of the ideas and experience shared at the event, Kent Connects and Unisys are now working on a report and guidance to help managers develop and implement flexible working plans and practices successfully in their organisations.
