Opinion

Embracing a new world of flexible working

Sara Harraway, CPMG Architects

New flexible working patterns are critical to ensuring that businesses across infrastructure and the built environment retain the best and most diverse workforce.  Sara Harraway explains the challenges.

At CPMG we are embracing the way working patterns are changing.

This includes offering flexible working options and part-time hours and we have five women who have returned to work with us following a period of maternity leave.

Flexible working really depends on the individual, their circumstances and tailoring working hours to suit their commitments, but obviously this needs to work for the business so that we can remain responsive to our clients.

"It’s fair to say there’s definitely been a shift in working patterns since I’ve been working in the profession which certainly isn’t a bad thing and encourages more engaged staff and happier teams."

We have women on flexible working arrangements who are also in senior positions within the architectural team in addition to the interior design team and administration staff. It’s possible for senior people to continue their careers successfully at CPMG, which is something we’re really proud of.

It works both ways; if we can be flexible with an employee’s child care arrangements then they can work with us to be flexible for key diary dates to keep client relationships working and projects on track.

I’ve had feedback from our staff that they feel more engaged as a result of this approach. We’ve set up the means for people to work from home, if necessary, so as a firm we have the right software in place to support a different working pattern too.

As an employer we obviously have a legal obligation to review any requests for flexible working and keep up with legalisation but we’re committed to keeping experienced and hard-working staff.

I often get asked if this sector is starting to attract more women, I would say that it does appear to be. It’s likely there’s better careers advice available now and the standard of teaching at a lot of universities and colleges is really first class. We have excellent links with a number of regional universities and colleges and welcome a great mix of trainees every year – another reason why we have such a diverse workforce.

"It works both ways; if we can be flexible with an employee’s child care arrangements then they can work with us to be flexible to keep projects on track."

We have employees that come from all over Europe and further afield who now live and work in Nottingham, which is great. Having a culturally diverse team from different backgrounds helps us bring new ideas to the table and work with clients based overseas, which we’re beginning to do more and more of.

I’m aware of a few other architectural firms that offer flexible working opportunities. At CPMG, we evaluate every request for flexible working. It’s fair to say there’s definitely been a shift in working patterns since I’ve been working in the profession which certainly isn’t a bad thing and encourages more engaged staff and happier teams.

Sara Harraway is a director at archectural practice Nottingham-based architectural practice CPMG