Ways of working
We are a collaborative organisation, making best use of technology and space, enabling us to work when, where, and how to best respond to our customers.
We are on a journey to develop a hybrid way of working taking what we have learnt from the last few years to create an environment that is flexible and helps us respond to our customers in the best way possible.
Work types
Our four work types are as follows. They are broad definitions. Individuals agree working arrangements with their managers. Jobs will vary along with individual needs and preferences. Although the frequency of work in Oxford will vary from role to role, what is certain is that we believe it is important that employees attend to work in Oxford.
- Fixed - work is carried out in a specific location because of the job requirements. Personal choice or need may also mean that the location is agreed and fixed
- Community - work is carried out in a community setting with regular in person contact with customers partners, contractors, and team members. There is still a need to access a workspace, which could be in the community or at home depending on the job
- Field based - work is carries out offsite and at various locations, but there is a need for a workspace at as suitable location for desk-based work, which could be at home or office location
- Flexible working - most of the work can be carried out at any suitable work location, including home. There will be a need to attend service delivery and / or attend meetings or events where it is best to do it in person. Time in the council office can be used to stay in touch or to collaborate with colleagues and for some roles It will be necessary to meet with customers external partners or contractors at a work location
Our guiding principles
- Flexibility is our norm. While there is no ‘one-size fits all’ approach, greater collaboration should be the aim for all colleagues
- Work takes place at the most effective locations and at the best times, to best meet the needs of our customer.
- Meetings culture is replaced by simplified collaboration, using technology and refreshed workspaces
- Our leaders will play a key role in championing and role-modelling Flexible Working principles
- Flexible Working helps our staff lead more balanced and healthy lives to overall improve the wellbeing of our staff
- We remind ourselves that colleagues have different flexible working patterns or approaches
How we use our space
- We will use our buildings to collaborate and work together, based on the activity
- There will be a range of different spaces to work, both for focused work and for a variety of collaborative activities
- For most of our colleagues flexible working will become the norm, with spaces available in our buildings to collaborate and work together
- We support our staff to choose the best location for their work, with appropriate confidentiality, such as home, Town Hall community centers, coffee shops and other coworking spaces
- Work focuses on results and outcomes rather than presence or process
How we use our technology
- We will make use of latest, best technology including Microsoft 365, to support colleagues to work in flexible ways and collaborate from anywhere including in our buildings
- We will only use Microsoft Teams as our collaboration tool corporately, to communicate and collaborate internally and externally
- Processes are continuously streamlined to make sure they support flexible working
- We will provide hybrid working technology which allow for seamless connectivity at home and in our workplaces
