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'1 in 5 could work from home in NE by 2017'

More and more North Easterners will be working from home during the next ten years, according to new research. The study, carried out by the Future Matters initiative, shows that 75% of workers expect new technology to make home working more common. Future Matters predict that the growth in remote working practices brought about by the recent boom in the availability of high-speed broadband and faster PCs is set to have a “radical impact” on North East businesses.

Phil Shakeshaft, Future Matters project director, said: “For the first time, working from home has become a real possibility for a growing percentage of the workforce and in ten years’ time as many as one in five of us could be based at home. “As we move towards a service based economy there is less of a need for people to be on site.”

Future Matters believe that remote working will change the whole nature of business life and the work-life balance. More flexible working practices will mean many people will have more than one job and commute just for meetings or events.

Phil said: “Relationships with colleagues will change with management facing problems of motivation and internal communications. “The long term prosperity of the region depends on our ability to innovate, anticipate change and prepare for the future. Our aim is to study the potential threats and opportunities faced by the people of the North East.”

For more information on the North East Futures Research Survey contact Phil Shakeshaft on 01915164400, email phil.shakeshaft@futurematters.org.uk or visit www.futurematters.org.uk/survey.asp.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .