Every morning the Startups news team wades through about twenty different flexible working press releases. Surveys telling us that 8 out of 10 people would be more likely to idolise their manager if they could just finish that spreadsheet while at home in the bath. Then there's the 'expert advice' pieces on the dangers of Crackberries and why the always-online work culture is surely going to cost small businesses £18bn every year as a result of stress related absence.
As I put the phone down after the third pitch of the morning offering me a column on the latest screen sharing software designed to facilitate the growing trend of working from home/the train/the poolside of your Italian villa, I have to admit it's getting harder to feign interest. But then I come across a gem of story.
A Cambridgeshire council worker moving to Australia is keeping his job. Matt Taylor, who currently earns £100,000 a year at his post on Fenland District Council will work one day a week from Adelaide for an annual salary of £20,000. According to the council, the arrangement works out cheaper than hiring an interim replacement.
Now while this is somewhat of an extreme case it does highlight an important point. The technologies that have allowed flexible working have done far more than give working parents the option to greet their children at home when they return from school. The ability to work online has opened up the talent pool. Your best employee needs to move across the country to care for a sick relative? Let them. Can't find a decent software developer in the London area? Get one to work from the Ukraine.
For Startups, talent is key. Don't let a few thousand miles stand in the way of a good recruit. You just don't need to anymore.
