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Work / life integration and the office of the future funded by the British Council of Offices in 2005.
Overview
This short study by consultancy ZZA and Michael Edwards explores prospects for change in law, policy and practice in employment, especially the move towards family-friendly working and measures to re-balance work life and personal life. A second part of the work draws out the implications for the design, management and location of the workplace of the future. Published September 27 2006.
The work is based upon an extensive literature review and on a number of case studies of innovations in working practices in large and medium private companies and a university (UCL).
- People
Michael Edwards
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Send Michael an emailZZA is led by Ziona Strelitz. It is a research and advisory practice focused on buildings and people. Based on social science and built environment disciplines, ZZA links cultural, social and design perspectives to shape responsive property approaches and solutions.
Dalia Ben-Galim was working on her PhD on flexible working and is now Associate Director for Family, Community and Work at IPPR.
- Outputs
Glossy report Strelitz, Z and M Edwards (2006) Getting it together: the work-life agenda and offices London, British Council for Offices.
Research report and literature review Strelitz, Z, M Edwards and D Ben-Galim (2006) Family-friendly offices: the policy, practice and legislative context London, British Council for Offices.
- Impact
This research analyses the current focus on family-friendly offices and develops a set of recommendations for office providers and operators to help them facilitate this new scenario. The main drivers of change towards family friendly offices are social policy, employers and employees. Demographic changes such as the later transition to parenthood and an increase in the number of older people in society have changed the balance between work and family. Changes in society's values and particularly in gender roles have also driven changes in working practices. Offices are adapting to demands for family-friendly workplaces. The report concludes with a number of recommendations for action which stakeholders can implement in both the short and long term to promote better work-life integration.
The findings point towards the potential for more workplaces to be located closer to homes and urge developers to foster and support public facilities shared across localities (e.g. town centres) instead of internalising facilities inside the development or inside the individual firm. Catering, conference space, libraries, day nurseries and reprographics are examples.