Transforming Workspace

Government departments, like any large organization, face issues of service delivery, efficiency, personnel and resource management. Increasingly, the drivers for changing the ways in which people work are having an impact in government both in terms of how government works and in workplace design.

As technology improves, newways of working are emerging. Terms such as tele-working, hot-desking, touch-down areas and virtual offices are increasingly common. More and more work can be done anywhere - in an office (any office), at home, on the move. It is becoming easier to move the work to the worker.

Many of these changes in working patterns reflect the significant developments in the design and use of offices. Information and communication technology (ICT) is introducing more irregular and intermittent working patterns and other practices are transforming the daily use of the office. Offices, traditionally viewed as inhibitors to organisational development, are now being seen as key components in contributing to the organisation's culture and in the delivery of its business objectives.

OGC is encouraging thinking and supporting departments where appropriate, in considering the implementation of alternative working strategies where these contribute to business change programmes.

Working Without Walls

Across government a host of workplace projects are underway embracing not just physical change but integrated business, organisational and cultural change. The work environment is no longer viewed as a passive overhead but as a powerful and integral aspect of government business, which, given the right attention and investment, can significantly enhance the effectiveness of public service delivery.

Celebrating some of the best workplace projects taking place within government today, Working Without Walls - An Insight into the Transforming Government Workplace (PDF, 1.8MB) analyses historical context and the catalysts for change, highlights emerging best practice and summarises lessons learnt.

This book provides an accessible publication that captures and explores current UK government workplace developments and emerging good practice in order to inform, encourage and support wider improvement and innovation, across both the public and private sectors.

For further information on the issues covered in this book please contact Bridget Hardy, telephone 020 7271 2708 or by email bridget.hardy@ogc.gsi.gov.uk.

For any other information or to order copies please contact the OGC Service Desk, telephone 0845 000 4999 or email ServiceDesk@ogc.gsi.gov.uk

Flexible Working in Government

OGC commissioned a research study in early 2004 to consider the impact of flexible working on departments and agencies and to investigate the ways in which flexible working might have an impact on the use of office space and its supporting infrastructure in the future. Flexible Working in Central Government: Leveraging the Benefits. (PDF)

Innovation Across Government

Northern Ireland Government - Workplace 2010

Workplace 2010 is a three to five year programme of work to transform the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) office estate, improving the working environment for many staff and facilitating new ways of working in a way that demonstrates value for money.

This ambitious and challenging programme will deliver:

• modern, flexible and efficient workspace for staff;
• accommodation that meets business needs;
• a smaller, more efficient estate;
• value for money for the taxpayer;
• an environment that will support and enable significant and lasting change.