黑洞社区

Bam is introducing flexible working on its construction sites in a set of sweeping post-pandemic changes to its working practices which the firm has hailed as marking a 鈥渕ajor mind-set change鈥� for the industry.

The firm behind Sky鈥檚 planned 拢190m Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire is pushing through with initiatives such as rota working, staggered start and finish times, part-time work and remote working where possible.

The shake-up follows the completion of a trial of site working practices begun in 2019 with flexible working consultants Timewise and industry body Build UK.

Bam said the approach had been given 鈥渉uge momentum鈥� because of changes to ways of working required during lockdown restrictions.

It said the new policy 鈥渨ill have benefits for both its own people and the rest of the industry long after the pandemic subsides鈥�.

The contractor鈥檚 UK executive and HR director Andrea Singh said there had been a 鈥渟hift in mindset across our business,鈥� adding that the firm鈥檚 鈥渄efault position now is that flexibility is possible and desirable, and to prioritise a devolved, team-based decision-making culture鈥�.

She added: 鈥淚 think the industry was starting to wake up to it pre-covid but I think what covid has done is create huge momentum because I think, whilst none of us would have wanted to be in the situation we鈥檝e been in for the last 12 months, it forced different types of flexibility.鈥�

She told 黑洞社区 that part of the shift is about 鈥渕oving towards more of an output-based thinking rather than the number of hours you鈥檙e tied to your desk.

鈥淵ears ago in all industries being the first to open the gate and the last to leave the gate was almost a badge of honour. That鈥檚 not sustainable on an individual level, that鈥檚 not sustainable as an industry.鈥�

But she added that for the approach to really make a difference it would need to be adopted by the whole supply chain: 鈥淚f you鈥檝e got the whole chain working in that way then there is that real opportunity for productivity to increase.鈥�

Asked if the approach had created challenges in ensuring on site safety, Singh said: 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 always one of the key considerations in what flexibility can be achieved.

鈥淧eople who are based on site, a large proportion of their time is spent supervising works on site, supervising teams on site but like anybody there鈥檚 an element of admin and back office type work in every role and so some of that lends itself to a more flexible approach.鈥�

Bam is set to start work shortly on the 拢350m Co-Op Live indoor music and sports arena which is being built in the shadow of Manchester City鈥檚 Etihad stadium for US firm Oak View Group.