As much as R7 billion a year is wasted on the time workers spend commuting on the Ben Schoeman Highway alone - time which could be better spent working from home.
This was the message from Chris Norton, country manager at Citrix, speaking at the launch of a flexible working campaign in Johannesburg earlier this week. The campaign also promotes the Citrix Metaframe Access Suite, designed to make flexible working a reality.
"Money is being wasted because people are being forced to 'be` somewhere for work. Work should be something we do and not somewhere we have to be," he said.
The biggest hurdle to adopting a work from home set-up for employees is so-called 'fishbowl` management.
"This is a perception among managers that if employees are not seen then it is assumed they are not working. But this is counter-productive as employees sometimes sit in front of their computers and pretend to work, just to keep the bosses happy."
According to Norton, a flexible work solution could save companies more than just money. "Employees are less stressed as they no longer have to commute through heavy traffic, thus ensuring they are happier, healthier and far more productive."
In addition, employees who have to leave work to look after their children can work from home, reducing recruitment and training costs, he said.
Norton highlighted the possibilities for full on-demand computing for remote workers presented by Citrix`s Metaframe Access software. The software is secure and complies with the ECT Act, giving employees remote access to the corporate IT infrastructure via the Internet, so creating a "ubiquitous workspace".
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