Codestone

Category: Workforce Mobility

Home working could be set to become a more common practice among government staff, following an upcoming trial.

Civil servants at various departments are being encouraged not to commute to London for four days in February as part of Operation Stepchange, the Telegraph reports.

This will allow Whitehall to determine whether it is a viable approach to take when the Olympic and Paralympic Games are being staged in the city this summer.

Officials believe home working could be a practical option that helps to ease the pressure on London's public transport system throughout the flagship sporting event.

People who are taking part in the trial, which runs from February 6th to 9th, will stay in touch with their colleagues by remotely accessing networks and using videoconferencing systems.

"Working from home is not exactly rocket science," a Whitehall source commented.

Transport minister Norman Baker has already encouraged people who work in London to consider alternatives to travelling into the city during the Olympics.

"The Games will be a once-in-a-generation test for both our transport system and our adaptability," he said.

Posted by Jack Gilbert