JEDDAH – Half of the world's workforce is now productively enjoying flexible working, a new research by global workplace provider Regus revealed. The 2013 Regus Global Economic Indicator said professionals who are chained to the office desk will soon be the minority. Regus' research, canvassing over 26,000 business managers across 90 countries, found that 48 percent now work remotely for at least half their working week. In the Middle East, over a third of executives work flexibly for at least half the week (44 percent). Some chief executives may worry about motivating and managing staff at a distance. But in the Regus survey, 75 percent of Middle Eastern respondents (55 percent globally) said they believed effective management of remote workers was perfectly achievable, and a significant portion of businesses are bringing increasing rigor to managing their remote staff. Key findings in the Middle East: • 44 percent work remotely for half the week or more
• 75 percent say that seamless remote management is an achievable goal, but only if managers undergo special training
• 55 percent consider trust an important issue • 52 percent of companies use reporting systems to monitor mobile employee efficiency • 33 percent use video communication between managers and employees • 43 percent believe remote management helps maintain a more professional relationship Regus Vice President, Middle East, Garry Gürtler, said: “Flexible working is a winner for all concerned when the management team takes the lead. The business people we speak with tell us that trust and freedom play a key role in remote management and, once these are in place, the benefits are clear for all to see: greater productivity, improved staff retention and lower operating costs.” Regus' survey showed that 52 percent of companies in the Middle East (more than the 37 percent global figure) use specific efficiency-monitoring reporting systems, while 33 percent of remote managers use video calls to communicate with their teams (43 percent globally). The flexible work experience can have a particular value for younger workers. Fifty percent of respondents in the Middle East believe that junior employees become more responsible through remote working. In addition, there is a perception that flexible working is shaping a new kind of interaction between line managers and their team members. Forty-three percent of respondents think that remote management helps maintain a more professional relationship. Julius Po, a long-term Regus client, said: “Most of my client meetings are outside the office, and I do client presentations at their premises. I wanted the space at Regus for myself as my employees are usually out developing business opportunities.” “The most important benefit for me is to keep overheads low. Having someone there to answer calls is important and I do not have to employ another person. If I'm not in the office someone answers the call. The work life balance is key for me and the Regus office setup allows me to spend more time with my family.” — SG
