Why (some) managers are scared of homeworking

According to Personnel Today, the rise in flexible working is making line managers feel threatened. Phil Flaxton, chief executive at Work Wise UK, is quoted as saying that some managers are resisting changes in the workplace because they are worrying that if they allow people to work flexibly, they themselves soon won't be needed. Caroline Waters, director for people and policy at BT as well as a subscriber to The Shed magazine, said it simply isn't true that having workers in the office gives managers full control. She added:

"Managers are afraid of losing their status, their big offices and their prestige. HR should be telling managers that they have status because they deliver a service, not because they tell people what to do. Managers have to ask the question: 'How can I make my team happier?' However, we still face a problem of having to teach people how to manage."