North East plan for flexible working

According to icNewcastle, there is good news for everybody aiming to end the North-East's nightmare commutes. The North East Chamber of Commerce has pledged to devise a flexible working policy for its staff in support of the regional Work Wise initiative. Work Wise North-East aims to make employment in the region more flexible, through methods such as home working, job sharing and flexi-time. Backers believe it will boost business productivity, improve workers' lifestyles, ease transport problems and benefit the environment. A series of other business organisations have also backed the Work Wise North-East initiative, along with the TUC, Government Office North East and regional development agency One NorthEast. Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK, said: "Smarter working is an answer to many of the issues facing the economy today. While smarter working improves productivity and enhances the working environment, it also reduces the need to travel and staggers the rush hour. Even a small change in working practices across the North-East will see a marked fall in congestion, and a significant impact on emission levels."