Get flexible, keep staff - it works for the OFT

The Office of Fair Trading is set to extend its mobile and remote working rollout from 100 to 200 staff by the end of May.

The office, which is concerned with consumer and competition regulations, deployed BlackBerry handsets and wireless 3G connectivity to staff through December 2006 and February 2007. The organisation uses the GSi Remote Worker Service from Cable & Wireless to ensure it complies with the Communications Electronics Security Group (the information assurance arm of GCHQ) rules on secure remote connectivity to government networks.

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It is understood that remote connectivity has led to a productivity improvement equivalent to an extra one and quarter hours per person using the service.

According to OFT deputy head of IT, Ian Hextall, the move to more flexible working was driven by the CEO John Fingleton when he came into the organisation in 2005.

Hextall told silicon.com that the greater productivity has allowed OFT staff to progress cases more smoothly by being able to create documents on the move. One manager said they could process staff reports four times more quickly at home.

He said: "The big winner is how the system has helped to retain and attract staff." According to user feedback conducted by Hitachi Consulting, one member of staff was considering leaving the office before flexible working was offered.

A further 100 user accounts will be deployed on a business case basis. Hextall estimates around a further 350 staff could potentially take up the service, but that less than a further 100 will actually take it.

It is understood the OFT is shortly about to undertake a strategic review where Hextall hopes to pitch for investment in more heavy-duty document sharing software, so that staff can take advantage of remote collaborative working.