Technology
Technology like e-mail and cell phones increases employees’ flexibility and makes it easier for them to work from home. For the conciliation of work and private life, however, it is important to regulate the use of this technology and to closely monitor any adversary effects.
Information on European regulations of home offices etc.:
Home office facilities
Many employees with rigid work time arrangements wish for increased flexibility, such as flexible working hours and home office facilities. The possibility to work from home can increase employees’ chances of combining work and family related obligations. Home office facilities have the same advantages and disadvantages as flexible working hours and must be used carefully.
It is important that home office facilities are voluntary. Each employee should be able to decide for himself whether or not to have these facilities in his home.
Avoid overwork as a result of home offices
A common problem is that home offices in fact foster overwork and blur the distinction between private and work life. Home office facilities should only be implemented with a monitoring system to prevent this. One measure could be a software-program that regularly reminds the employee of the time he has spent working and the time limit previously agreed with his superior.
Working from home should be carefully framed within the context of registering working time.
Video Conferences and Tele-meetings
More use of video and tele technology could reduce the time employees spend on travelling. At the same time it allows the company to save money on travel expenses.
Use of electronic calendars
Electronic calendars can be used as a means of time management. Employees can put both work and family related obligations and events into the calendar, as a way to “reserve” time for their different obligations.
HP
The informatics company HP in Spain has established a protocol about the use of home offices. The protocol specifies the profile of the individuals who can work at home as well as the procedures of home office use. It also takes into account the training needs of the employees.
Nokia
The Spanish part of the phone company Nokia allows employees to choose whether to use the video conference call or to travel to meetings. 80% of employees prefer the video conference call.
Microsoft
All employees at Microsoft Norway have home office facilities. They can read e-mail and access all their documents from their computer at home. This makes it easier for them to adapt to their families' needs.
FOCUS
The project Fostering Caring Masculinities is an EU-sponsored project with five partners; Germany, Iceland, Norway, Slovenia and Spain. The project has aimed to examine and improve men’s opportunities for balancing work and private/family life in order to encourage the preparedness of men to take over caring tasks. To reach this goal the project has focused on companies' framework conditions to perceive and include men as actors and target groups in equality policies.
Each partner has carried out studies in two different companies, one private and one public. The guidelines presented here are based on these work place studies and examples of existing practices from other companies.
Fostering Caring Masculinities
