Telephone, video and web conferencing
Installing or hiring telephone, video and web conferencing facilities can reduce the need for time-consuming and expensive travel.
Why use telephone, video and web conferencing?
This technology contributes to:
- increased productivity - less travel time means less downtime
- more time-efficient meetings and accelerated decision-making processes may be possible when travel is not required
- increased scope for distance learning and training - staff don't need to leave the workplace and travel to participate.
What you can do
Encourage staff to use web, phone or video conferencing by providing:
- bookable conference phones with good loudspeakers in all meeting rooms
- a system that makes it easy for staff to set up conference calls
- access to a web conferencing service to allow staff to share and edit documents or make online presentations (an internet search will help you find providers)
- easy-to-use video conferencing equipment in meeting rooms
- support for new users
- webcam facilities available on computers for one-to-one conference calls.
Facilities can also be hired by the hour in major towns and cities. Check the Yellow Pages.
Flexible work arrangements
Managed well, flexible working arrangements offer benefits to both employers and employees. Such arrangements can:
- make it easier to attract and retain staff
- increase employee productivity
- extend your business working hours, with some staff choosing to start work earlier and others to work later
- improve work-life balance for staff.
The 'flexi' options
The following are just some of the flexible work arrangements you can consider for your workplace. You can find out more about flexible work arrangements through the Department of Labour website.
Flexi-working
This involves providing employees with options on how and when they work. It can include choices over start and finish times, break times and location.
Flexi-time
Flexi-time involves set core hours where staff are expected to be at work but allows them to arrive or leave at various times.
Compressed working
With compressed working, staff can accumulate the hours they work and then use these to take a day off. For an employer, a compressed working week can contribute towards fewer travel costs and provide for staff to meet customers' needs outside usual working hours.
Working from home
Allowing staff to work from home one or more days per week (or per month) can reduce their travel costs and improve their work-life balance.
