The New Normal Working Model will see Siemens staff in more than 125 locations work remotely for two or three days a week.
Employees at Siemens will continue to work from home or other remote locations to some extent after Covid-19. The company plans to roll out a permanent “mobile working” scheme during the pandemic and beyond, where staff will be allowed to work remotely for an average of two or three days a week.
The decision follows a global staff survey in which employees said they wanted greater flexibility and “personalised solutions” for deciding where they carry out their work.
Roland Busch, deputy CEO and labour director at Siemens, noted that mobile working had always been an option at the company, but it will now take it “a step further” on the back of Covid-19.
“The basis for this forward-looking working model is further development of our corporate culture,” Busch said. “These changes will also be associated with a different leadership style, one that focuses on outcomes rather than on time spent at the office.”
Making a call in light of Covid-19
The New Normal Working Model plan was developed by Siemens representatives from strategy, HR, IT, real estate and business. It begins immediately and will impact more than 140,000 of the company’s employees, working at more than 125 locations in 43 countries.
Siemens said the hybrid working plan will mean “more than just working from home”. With the help of their supervisors, employees can choose the work locations where they’re most productive, which might include their home or co-working spaces. This will be supplemented with work in person at the office when appropriate.
Companies around the world are taking a hard look at their working practices right now as economies gradually reopen.
Fujitsu recently announced plans to close 50pc of its offices in Japan, moving 80,000 employees to a remote working model, while Twitter said that staff members in suitable roles will have the option to work from home “forever”.
“We trust our employees and empower them to shape their work themselves so that they can achieve the best possible results,” Busch said. “With the new way of working, we’re motivating our employees while improving the company’s performance capabilities and sharpening Siemens’ profile as a flexible and attractive employer.”
#covid19 gives us a chance to reshape our world and reimagine work. To empower @Siemens employees to perform their best, our #newnormal working model will offer 2-3 days mobile working. #FutureofWork #DigitalTransformation https://t.co/Up6okRkufa
— Roland Busch (@BuschRo) July 16, 2020
Siemens’ head of industrial relations and employment conditions, Jochen Wallisch, added: “The New Normal Working Model fits seamlessly into our concept for the future of work.
“We’re using this model to pursue the goal of developing new ways of working together on a mobile, digital basis. The new normal will also strengthen our ability to recruit and retain the best talent for Siemens and to increase diversity on our teams.”
