Council calls in Vodafone to boost flexible working

Scheme also aims to slash property costs at West Berkshire Council

Council claims flexible working will cut property costs by 40 per cent

West Berkshire council is using a scheme designed and implemented by Vodafone to extend flexible working to 85 per cent of staff by 2011.

The scheme, called Timelord, also aims to cut property costs at the council by 40 per cent by reducing the amount of office space it needs.

The Timelord scheme is based on the results of comprehensive user profiling and mobility diagnostics, Vodafone said.

Vodafone’s business services consultants followed more than 100 staff to identify their cultural, technical and training needs.

The resulting flexible working framework is governed by mobile policies aligned to both team needs and the council’s overall business objectives, Vodafone said.

Nick Carter, chief executive at West Berkshire Council, said that the aim was to use time and space more effectively, maximise the use of technology and gain benefits for staff, the organisation and the people of West Berkshire.

"With Vodafone’s expertise, we are on the road to achieving the triple win we hoped for: better services for clients, delivered at a lower cost, by staff with increased job satisfaction,” said Carter.

Two of the council’s offices have already been consolidated into one new building, with full-size desks for fixed employees, and smaller ones for flexible workers. Commuting mileage is expected to drop 30 per cent, with employees gaining up to an hour a day to spend with clients.

After the initial feasibility study, Vodafone’s consultants recommended specific communications equipment for council staff, and delivered workshops during the pilot phase to help managers develop new methods for monitoring and supporting remote teams.

To ensure maximum payback, staff members receive "just-in-time" equipment training as well as ongoing support.

Staff working flexibly can now access email and applications securely from schools, health centres, homes and offices using Vodafone’s mobile network or any secure wireless network.