Flexibility as a journal has been spreading the word about The purpose of this guide is to promote an integrated, the benefits of flexible working since 1993.

We have seen flexible working move from an interesting fringe idea to the mainstream, even to the point where a ‘right to request’ flexible work is enshrined in law in the UK.

Now that the concept has moved into the mainstream, the potential benefits are widely recognised. Widely recognised – but less widely implemented. Or where implemented, often in a partial or piecemeal fashion. The UK legislation even encourages a reactive approach, making decisions on flexible working requests case by case. But that’s no way to build a strategy or to reap the benefits.

We use the term ‘Smart Working’ to refer to the new ways of working made possible by advances in technology and made essential by economic, environmental and social pressures. Flexible working is linked in to changes in working environments, working culture, technologies and management techniques.

Smart Working is an integrated and above all practical approach to realising the benefits, based on using sound metrics. The approach we recommend is one based on almost 20 years of practical experience and cutting edge research.

The Smart Work Handbook is not long. But we trust it will provide for you an excellent starting point for taking an integrated approach to developing your Smart Working strategy and programme.

( Andy Lake, Editor Flexibility.co.uk June 2011 )

Access the handbook here.