1. from a static bureaucracy to a flexible organisation

The Ministry and the entire Flemish government are in full evolution and continuously attempt to improve their operation. It must be able to anticipate the needs of a dynamic and demanding society flexibly, to work in a customer-oriented way and to be able to develop efficient structures. For that reason organisation has been flattened off and there are instruments to make it possible to work in a more customer and result oriented way. The organisation has become much more flexible. Even more: the Flemish community 'works differently'. It may sound rather high-flown, but it is a fact. In 1999 international research at a Belgian university showed that the Flemish administration had developed into one of the better administrations in Europe and is one of the second ranking internationally.

This 'working differently' also has spatial repercussion. We have departed from the requirement for square meters per person and we have also departed from the concept of an office for each official. Until recently strict surface area norms were adhered to for our office buildings. In this way Flemish officials had a right to a certain number of m² of office in relation to their position in the hierarchy. This is no longer in force in the design of the new offices, but the work process of result oriented management is used as the basis itself.
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2. an advantageous situation for society, the organisation and the individual.

Less traffic jams
More flexible forms of work influence the mobility problem positively by means of the home to work traffic. Working differently will not in itself solve the traffic problem in Brussels, but it can fulfil a function as an example. The number of traffic accidents, the stress and associated health costs can also be reduced with it.
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More welfare
Working differently also offers more welfare. It can be the ideal solution for people who would otherwise have to give up work on account of a physical disability. Working differently also offers a solution to parents who want to spend more time looking after the children but still want to work professionally. Time that they would otherwise have to spend on commuter travelling, they can now spend with their children. Other forms of work contribute to social integration and emancipation in this way. In addition they help develop a society that creates a new balance between work and personal life and that will ensure a greater level of well being for its members.
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Satisfaction and productivity
Those who work from home or from a teleoffice in the neighbourhood, have more free time and more space for the family and personal life in any case. Teleworkers can divide their free time better. They work more calmly and in a more relaxed way and can therefore be more efficient and productive.
Members of staff choose the workplace in which they can perform best at that time in the base office. That creates a more pleasurable and productive climate.
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More teamwork and team spirit
Teamwork, intensive communication and continuous exchange of knowledge are becoming increasingly importance. Assignments require consultation with colleagues more often than before. People work together in project groups more often. The time when each official carried out his part of the file in his office, without any knowledge of the rest is over, especially in the Flemish community.
Flexible office forms are exceptionally suited for team members and the exchange of knowledge. The reason is obvious: the walls between team members are literally being broken down. In this way a space is naturally created for consultation and communication, informally as well. Everyone is better informed of each other's activities. Experiences are exchanged in passing and problems are discussed. Everyone is inspired and supports each other, share successes and disappointments. New members of staff are quickly initiated in the work processes and in the organisation culture.
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More efficient use of the office area
The new office concepts use less space than traditional offices. Saving office costs is particularly important in a time when prices in the real estate market continue to rise. If more officials telework or share workplaces, office space can be used much more profitably. Empty space is avoided. As members of staff are not always at the office. They are on the road, on holiday, in a meeting, on site, work part-time and are sometimes sick.
In addition the Ministry of the Flemish Community wants to anticipate changes and additional needs in the organisation. The growth of the work force does not always entail an extension of the office building. Flexibility of working differently makes it possible to fit alterations in smoothly.
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Attractive and competitive forms of work
The Ministry of the Flemish Community wants to be able to offer attractive and competitive forms of work to the present personnel through working differently. Organisations are having increasing difficulty in attracting and keeping highly qualified personnel. Financial conditions remain important, but working comfort and satisfaction are also trump cards that make a lot of difference. An organisation that implements flexible forms of work will present itself as a social employer who believes social involvement is of paramount importance.
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