Tag: Flexible working

They Think It’s All Over……

“It’s coming home, it’s coming home” – Check out our World Cup blog as the countdown to Russia 2018 begins.

“They think it’s all over ….it is now!”

Those immortal words, spoken by Kenneth Wolstenholme at Wembley Stadium on 30th July 1966, were in celebration of the glorious and “only” England FIFA World Cup victory. Months of hard toil by the squad had paid off and the country celebrated like never before.

Yes, it’s that time again! The FIFA World Cup in Russia kicks off in just over three months’ time and football fever is already hotting up!

The England team’s expectations are high and given their polished qualification result, so is their preparation. As we get ready to enter into the most special of football tournaments, what are England’s chances this year? Could this be the year that England show up and deliver the greatest football of THEIR time and THEIR generation?

Every four years, homes and workplaces across the country suddenly become engrossed in the national side. Everyone has their opinion on how the team should play and everybody is an “expert”. Football becomes THE number one discussion, as conversations consist of but not exclusively, to the following:-

The Techno Hipster
This particular persona is often found at their local watering hole, usually dressed in skinny chinos, holding a pint in one hand, whilst pontificating to anyone that will listen about statistics, data analysis and the science “behind” the game – all the time caressing his somewhat striking beard!

The Best Wannabe Manager in the World
“What were they thinking of putting HIM into the line-up ……. HE’S USELESS!!!”

The Irksome Colleague
In their head, this person IS Ronaldo! They love nothing more than accosting people for several minutes/hours at a time in the kitchen, by the photocopier etc. Likes to dissect and relive every second of the match with you………… married to the game!

The Fantasy Penalty Taker
This individual knows the exact run-up, angle, time, distance and grass length it requires to take the perfect penalty. They never fail to relay this information during a match, as unlike the England team, THEIR penalties ALWAYS hit the back of the net!

The Suburban Social Climber
This particular neighbour “suddenly” finds that their dog can dribble and head a ball into any net, open window or doorway. They take great pleasure in alerting the entire neighbourhood to this rare feat; usually regaled at their obligatory World Cup Soiree’. For the duration of the tournament, “said dog” is nicknamed “Maradogga”!

Here at ELF Productivity Limited, we too are partial to a World Cup party. The “ELF Boss” is pretty generous in allowing us time-out to watch the game. He’s partial to, pretty much ALL of the post-match chit-chat that ultimately resonates around the company after a “big match”. Refer to “The Best Wannabe Manager in the World” point.

All joking apart, it is fair to say that England loves and enjoys the “beautiful game”.

The odds on England making it through the group stages have increased this year. The team is vibrant and hungry for success. What if this year WAS England’s time?

So, with that in mind, if England were to get through to the knock-out stages once again, what processes are in place for your workplace this summer; to help not only with a jolly “end of term” atmosphere but to manage the “sudden” absence requests?

Have your current processes, like a lot of Premiership players, turned out to be under-performing gaffes? Is now the time for you to “blow the whistle” and show them YOUR “red card”?

ELF Productivity Limited’s, Time and Attendance software suite is the current market leader in automated processes. Key elements within Ceequel® are two remote applications; Ceequel® Mobile Apps and Employee Self Service. These applications, that have been created for Android, Apple and Windows devices, will ultimately improve your Time and Attendance processes. They not only permit employees to clock “in and out” remotely, allowing for a more flexible working pattern but they will also “pin-point” the exact location of your remote workers.

Ceequel® is constantly progressing and we are currently refining our Time and Attendance software with fresh concepts, designs and ideas.

If you would like to know more about the supreme functionality of Ceequel® Software Suite, including our leading Time and Attendance modules; the downloadable catalogue of brochures can be found here.

Contact ELF Productivity today for a free no obligation quotation and demonstration of Ceequel® software and make 2018 the year that you “strike out” and gain a winning team-mate for your company.

Productivity Gains from Flexible Working

Every company strives to improve employee productivity. After all a productive workforce is a happy workforce and happy people often produce a higher standard of work. Reliable working is just one of many options to boost employee productivity.

Flexiable Working

Since the twentieth century UK employees have been expected to work a total of forty hours a week. Working eight hours a day, five days a week is considered natural to most people and a vast improvement on the 12 hour, 6 day week prior to that.  However as times change so do companies thoughts on how many hours an employee should work per week.

Many companies are opting to allow their employees to work a four day week – instead of the now considered – traditional five.  These companies believe that a shorter working week increases productivity levels in the workplace and therefore leads to an improved working environment.

However there are still some companies who remain unconvinced.  Detailed below are three reasons why a four day working week would be beneficial to both employers and employees.

Improved work-life balance

In today’s world, employees can struggle with finding an acceptable work-life balance.  Working long hours, five days a week, often impacts on the quality time parents spend with their children. Employees who don’t have parental commitments can also experience time intrusions on their out of work activities and social commitments.

Allowing your employees to work a four day week provides them with more personal time, giving them the chance to be more focused and productive.

Parents can spend more time with their children and family life. Employers, who are flexible on which day an employee takes off, allow both parents the opportunity to spend equal amounts of time with their children, as alternate days can be had away from the workplace.

Employees without children can also use extended weekends to participate in out of work activates such as hobbies.  A longer weekend gives staff more time to relax, meaning employees are more likely to come into work on a Monday feeling refreshed and enthusiastic.

More Productive Employees

Companies often assume that having a four day week will significantly impact the amount of productive work from employees.  This however is not known to be correct.  Employees are more aware they have less time to complete their weekly tasks and therefore they become more focused and productive.  Most employees will no longer waste time checking emails or interacting on social-sites and re-direct their attention on to completing the essential tasks in the given time.

A longer weekend also provides employees with the ability to completely switch off from work and concentrate on relaxing and revitalising.

Ultimately this leads to happier more productive employees.

Increase employee retention

Employee retention is vital to running a successful organisation. Every company wants to retain their best employees, their skills and knowledge.  Losing essential members of the workforce can not only impact businesses negatively but is often costly.  Attracting replacements can be a long, tedious and costly process and will generally have an effect on productivity and quality whilst new employees are up-skilled.

Ultimately – providing your employees with a four day week option is a positive way to incentive your employees to stay with the company.  It makes your organisation more appealing over your competitors when it comes to recruiting for new employees.   A four day working week can also act as an alternative to pay-increases or staff bonuses – improving your businesses bottom line.