Future of work research initiatives launched
The nature of work is changing. Progressive organisations recognise that a five-day-a-week commute is a waste of resources. Work is no longer going to be where the office is; it will be where you are – at home, in the car, at an airport or café, or with a client.
A recent study led by the New Zealand Work Research Institute (NZWRI) at the AUT University Business School shows properly managed ‘anywhere working’ or teleworking can improve wellbeing and work-life balance, boost productivity, save office space, provide business continuity during disruptions, and reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions. A key question, therefore, is why hasn't anywhere working become business as usual?
On 14 November NZWRI will bring experts from academia, Government, and industry together for Anywhere Working Network Day to discuss the latest New Zealand developments in anywhere working, plus recent progress in Australia.
The conference at AUT’s City campus will launch the New Zealand Anywhere Working Research Network, which is based on the Australian model and seeks to promote research around anywhere working and its impact on productivity, carbon footprints and access to employment.
The event will also launch the Future of Work Programme, a multi university-industry collaboration unique to New Zealand that is investigating workplace changes driven by new digital technologies, globalisation, environmental pressures, changing workforce demographics and new forms of social interaction and organising.
Professor Tim Bentley, Director of NZWRI, who will lead both initiatives, said: “The benefits of ‘anywhere working’ for organisations and workers are very clear. But while we have the technology to enable this, work culture has yet to catch up. We hope that by bringing together some of the best academic, business and government minds through the New Zealand Anywhere Working Research Network and the Future of Work Programme we can help to develop a more flexible and future-friendly employment culture.”
For more information
www.workresearch.aut.ac.nz
Media enquiries
Esther Harward, Communications Manager, AUT University, + 64 (0) 21 632 309 / esther.harward@aut.ac.nz
Or Andrea Malcolm, Communications Manager, AUT University, +64 (0) 9 921 9674 / andrea.malcolm@aut.ac.nz