Smart working is setting the trend in the way we work today, and there is every indication that it is a trend that is here to stay. Although Many people associate it directly with teleworking., which is undoubtedly one of the key elements of smart working, is in reality much more than that.
When we talk about smart working we are referring to provide the employee with the necessary resources to develop its work in complete autonomy. In other words, when we talk about smart working, we are referring to the fulfilment of objectives, and when these objectives are met, we can consider that the employee is fulfilling his or her job.
In this way, the smart working model abandoning the traditional work model based on the completion of hours at a particular job (usually an office). Instead, there is complete trust between the employee and the company, which takes care to provide the employee with all the facilities to carry out his or her task in the way he or she freely chooses.
When we talk about smart working, we are undoubtedly thinking directly about telework. However, it should be clarified that, although this is one of the fundamental pillars of this working model, it is not the only aspect that determines it. Some of the general and most important characteristics that determine what smart working is are the following:
Employees working in a smart working model are teleworkers. In other words, they do not have to travel to a traditional office or workstation, but instead work where they freely choose.
Although closely linked to teleworking, mobility is another major element of smart working. Many workers who adopt the teleworking model do so within set hours and associated with a specific location even if it is not an office (usually their own home). In the case of smart working, even these limitations are overcome, as the smart employee can work from home if they want to, but they can also work from a hotel in the mountains, on the beach, travelling by train or plane, from a coffee shop or a coworking space. Moreover, you can do it from a different place each time. In other words, not only telework, but also have full mobility..
Another key feature of smart working is technology, as offshoring is possible only through the use of have a computer and an Internet connection, These are the elements necessary for the smart worker to be able to carry out his or her task independently of the place where he or she is located.
Another defining characteristic of smart working that differentiates it from traditional teleworking is the freedom of timetables. The smart worker does not have to keep to a timetable, The employee may perform his or her duties as long as necessary and in the manner he or she deems appropriate, as long as he or she meets the objectives required by the company.
Finally, the other fundamental feature of smart working is that it is a working model that fully adopts the target model. In fact, both offshoring and freedom of working hours are only possible because what is asked of the employee are tasks linked to specific objectives. As long as the employee meets the objectives in a timely manner, the other characteristics of smart working can be applied.
Broadly speaking, it can be said that smart working has more advantages than disadvantages, which explains why it is becoming more and more widespread and present in a wide range of sectors. However, the reality is that it also has some limits, and this is exactly where it has its main drawbacks.
In terms of advantages, the main one is that it greatly improves the quality of life of workers who are able to access this work model. Smart working involves major improvements in the reconciliation of work and family life, The worker can use his or her time freely and organise it in the way he or she considers most appropriate for his or her daily life. In addition, another of the most outstanding advantages of smart working is that reduces labour-related costs. For example, thanks to teleworking, you avoid commuting to the office, as well as the costs associated with meals away from home.
However, there is also a major drawback to smart working, which is that it not applicable to all jobs. Due to offshoring and freedom of working hours, many of the more traditional jobs or jobs that rely on face-to-face working hours have difficulties or limitations when it comes to applying smart working. Because of this, smart working is a growing trend mainly in jobs traditionally associated with an office, but still has less impact in other sectors.
