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work:wise How Centrica made flexible working a part of its culture

Objectives:

  • To introduce a culture change in ways of working, by identifying and implementing new working practices.
  • To use flexible working patterns to attract and retain talent from an increasingly diverse labour pool.

Context

  • Flexible working is well established for certain groups of employees at Centrica with its 8,500 engineers all home workers, using laptop and wireless technology to deliver service to customers.
  • Mergers and acquisitions led to Centrica managing a large property portfolio, with high running costs. The company decided to exit from three of its eight buildings and at the same time promote flexible working to accommodate the workforce.

Approach taken

  • Centrica's work:wise programme was designed to offer individuals, irrespective of grade or statutory requirements, greater control over their work-life balance, while achieving a more efficient use of office space.
  • An engagement programme included:   

Roadshows on every site, outlining Centrica's vision of flexible working.

Coaching to prepare managers for the consultation process with their teams.

Team building workshops to enable each team to decide together how they could function successfully as a group working flexibly.

Personal surveys to detail how each employee works now and what special technical and practical requirements they may have for flexible working.

One-to-one consultations where managers agree with each member of their team whether they will work as an office, home or mobile worker.

Technical training on how to use new personal equipment.

Results

  • The programme delivered a property saving of £10 million a year for the business and Centrica has been able to improve the working environment for a large number of employees.
  • Over 4,000 employees are working more flexibly through the work:wise programme.
  • Centrica says work:wise has been a great success in creating a culture of freedom and discretion, and driving greater accountability for work outcomes.