The following guiding principles for Smart Working are intended to inform decisions at all levels about the way colleagues are expected to work, how their work areas are designed and how technology and processes will be deployed. 

How people work

  • Work takes place at the most effective locations and at the most effective times
  • Work focuses on results and outcomes rather than presence or process
  • Colleagues are trusted with more choice about where work is carried out to enable them and their colleagues to be more effective
  • Flexibility becomes the norm.  While there is no ‘one-size fits all’ approach, greater agility and collaboration should be the aim for all colleagues
  • The traditional meetings culture is replaced by simplified collaboration
  • Leaders will play a key role in championing and role-modelling Smart Working techniques and behaviours.
  • Smart Working helps colleagues lead more balanced and healthy lives
  • Smart Working supports and adds new dimensions to our commitment to diversity and equality, and should be considered at every stage of recruitment processes.

How work areas are used

  • Space within Imperial College workplaces is allocated to activities, not individuals and not on the basis of seniority
  • There will be a range of different spaces to work, both for desk-type work and for different kinds of collaborative activities
  • The emphasis in both physical and online spaces is on shared rather than individualised resources
  • Team home zones will reflect the work needs of individual teams, but like all spaces are non-exclusive and should be welcoming for colleagues from other teams to use.

How new technologies and processes are used

  • Technology supports colleagues to work flexibly and to collaborate from anywhere
  • Processes are continuously challenged to make sure they support smart working

These principles are supported by: