CBI and TUC to sign pledge to change the way we work
'This concordat brings together the signatories in a joint statement supporting the development and implementation of smarter working practices and as an example, and encouragement, to others to do likewise. The goal is to increase significantly the use of these practices by 2011. Such advancements will not only benefit companies, communities and individuals, but the UK economy as a whole, making it more productive and competitive in the global marketplace.' (Work Wise UK Concordat)The UK is about to take a major step towards becoming one of the most progressive economies in the world.
A number of leading businesses and organisations, including the CBI and TUC, will sign an agreement on Monday, January 22, for the wider adoption of smarter working practicesacross the UK, to help bring about a workplace revolution.
Richard Lambert, director general of the CBI, and Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC, will be the first to sign a ‘concordat’ supporting the development and implementation of the Work Wise UK campaign and objectives.
Work Wise UK, a not for profit initiative, is in the first of a five year programme to promote the wider adoption of smarter working practices, such as flexible working, working from home, mobile and remote working, to bring about a workplace revolution, similar in impact to the Industrial Revolution which Great Britain led in the 19th century.
Both the public and private sectors agree that the benefits of smarter working are enormous: apart from the positive implications on employees’ work-life balance and travelling time, the improvements in productivity will help the UK meet the competitive challenges presented by the emerging economies, such as India and China.
Other organisations signing the concordat include the British Chambers of Commerce, BT, Transport for London, RAC Foundation, Association for Commuter Transport, Scope, Technology Means Business and Henley Management.
The aim is for thousands of other organisations to sign the concordat, via the Work Wise website (www.workwiseuk.org) over the coming months, demonstrating their commitment to revolutionising the workplace.