The future work landscape

Glittering glass towerblocks will disappear from city skylines as the traditional nine-to-five grind dies out, researchers claim.

Mobile technology and flexible working hours are having a dramatic impact on urban Britain’s landscape, according to scientists at Microsoft Windows Mobile.

Apparently, 70% of workers claim they are more able to maintain a good work-life balance, leading researchers to predict that city skylines will lower as more employees work at home.

A predicted plunge in the number of commuters means that more cities will become pedestrianised, with 18% of those surveyed believing head offices were becoming redundant and 44% saying they were increasingly allowed to work from home.

“The UK is set to change dramatically over the next 25 years as remote working evolves and employers and employees alike embrace the changes to come,” says James McCarthy, one of the researchers at Microsoft.

“Old-fashioned spaces will be replaced with green wi-fi spots, and new multi-purpose spaces will be erected which will combine apartments, offices, shops and cafes, making our cities a much more inspiring landscape to work in.”

Increase in home working

According to a labour market outlook by KPMG and the Chartered Institute of Personal Development, organisations in London are the most likely to offer employees arrangements for home working.

Research revealed 13% of Londoners already spend two days a week working away from the office.

Mancunians were high users of email for remote working, with 76% benefiting from mobile technology, while 79% of Newcastle residents favour an adaptable approach to work.

three million people work from home – equivalent to 12% of the UK’s workforce

Timo Veikkola, a director at The Future Laboratory which assisted with the research, adds: “The UK is one of Europe’s leading providers of flexible working capability, with 22% of businesses making it possible for their employees to work flexibly.

“Government figures show that three million people work from home – equivalent to 12% of the UK’s workforce – with more and more companies actively encouraging home working amongst their staff.

Social impact

“There will also be a great social impact with people spending less time socialising in the evening and more time out and about during the day as work/life continues to cross over.

“There will also be less congestion on the roads at peak times as people have the freedom to choose the hours they commute.”

Office blocks are likely to become multi-use in future, with more roof gardens and exhibition spaces, it was suggested.

More than 15% of workers claimed flexible working allowed them to be more creative, and with more inspiring spaces, employees were more motivated.

Increases in green spaces and solar power were predicted as workers start working at night to free up more day time.

The researchers forecast an increasing demand for wireless internet technology – at home, hotels, parks, rail stations and airports – to accommodate the appetite for greater flexibility among Britain’s workforce.