When agile working creates redundant IT
With the right to flexible working available to employees, companies now have a duty to consider any requests from their staff.
Flexible and agile working are becoming integral parts of our working culture. With exponential advances in technology we enjoy increased freedom, breaking the ties from the ‘9 – 5’. Employees can broaden their stance, enjoy increased amounts of autonomy and ultimately a more balanced life.
Benefits of agile working
Agile and flexible working affords many benefits to both the company and the employee. As a company, there is the ability to save office space and cost savings of renting office properties. Many businesses cite increased employee productivity, lower levels of absenteeism and greater staff retention. For an employee, it’s the ability to be more responsive, gain independence and expand or contract hours of work to fit in with family or personal commitments; without the feeling of guilt.
No longer limited to working from home, many employees see their tasks carried out in coffee shops, on trains during the daily commute, or on business trips abroad. With a handheld device, staff can work anywhere, be portable and completely unrestricted in their work setting.
Is your redundant IT gathering dust?
It goes without saying that with the requirement for portable devices rising comes the decrease in usage of fixed desktop computers and telephones. The agile worker relies on laptops, tablets and mobile phones to carry out working tasks. The result is possible redundant IT equipment, namely desktop computers and accessories. Plus, with laptops, mobile phones and tablets only lasting on average 4 years with technology and software developing, replacements are constantly needed. What do companies do with the old IT equipment?
Adhering to the Waste Electrical and Electronics (WEEE) directive means disposing of your redundant IT and hard drives responsibly to prevent your data from being hacked or stolen for malicious purposes. It’s essential that the information on hard drives is backed up then securely shredded to fully protect it.
Agile working and data security considerations
Another consideration is mobile data security for devices that are in continuous use. Encrypting documents and emails, not to mention installing software that can be wiped if the device is stolen or lost is essential. Whilst hardware confined to the office is protected by antivirus software, it becomes more complicated for a business to fully protect devices that leave the office, and a there is a level of trust involved in giving staff this freedom. Small items such as USB sticks should also be carefully managed by the staff member to prevent misuse and compromising company data security. Ensure your company adopts a good level of training for staff on this subject, and there is a policy to adhere to should the data be compromised. This is vital to comply with GDPR.
If you need help destroying your redundant IT equipment, please get in touch with us today. We will help you comply with all relevant data protection guidelines and follow the WEEE directive.