What is it like to work at OAC?

Christopher Critchlow, OAC Chief Executive, was interviewed by "The Actuary" publication in April 2007, following OAC's success at The National eWell-Being Awards by winning the "Better Ways of Working" category. The following is the exact extract.

Award for OAC

Actuarial firm OAC has won The National eWell-Being Award for its use of technology to support teleworking – The Actuary spoke to Christopher Critchlow of OAC to find out how the approach works.

What equipment setup do you use?
Laptop, printer, and phone - all the systems are available via the laptop and a broadband link gives ready access 24 hours a day all year round. I just provide the space to work, which, in my case, is a small office above the garage, across a courtyard from the house. Everything is provided and paid for by OAC!
What percentage of your work time do you spend at home?
Probably about 60% - the rest is meeting clients, generally at their premises.
Because you can, are you tempted to work longer hours than if you were office-based?
Yes, I suppose I do, but that is because I enjoy my job, its varied nature, and what it involves. But having said that, it is so much easier that having to work late in an office during busy periods - if you are mulling over a problem you can easily go back to it later in the evening without the need to put files onto a laptop and lug it home to work on!
How do you find working on your own rather than with others around you?
The thing is that, with OAC, colleagues are around you - they are always logged on when they are working, it's just that they are not sitting next to you. I certainly appreciate the fewer interruptions plus the lack of constantly being called to meetings. At OAC everything is run off databases and everyone contributes willingly and I find there is a much better feeling of being an active and valued member of a team.

I phone colleagues and ask their opinions or post questions on internal bulletin boards. Such is the intellectual nature of the company, you get lots of answers and ideas coming back. I think I am able to make more valuable contribution than I ever did in a normal office environment and because you can see everything everyone has contributed, I don't feel nearly so restricted.
Overall, given a totally free hand, would you go back to what most would describe as a normal way of working - from an office?
I would definitely stay as I am - just look at the benefits:
- no commuting;
- I can choose a lovely part of the country (Devon) to live in and be close to relatives;
- I can maximise my work time;
- the little domestic things are so much easier to arrange, whether it is taking a delivery or going to a school play;
- I enjoy a much better quality of life;
- I have a far greater feeling of being a valued team member and able to provide valued contributions;
- and no office politics!

(SOURCE: The Actuary, published in May 2007)

Here are some further quotes from staff about life at OAC:

Christine, Practice Leader of Outsourcing Solutions, joined OAC in 1998
"The flexibility that working for OAC provides is fundamental to the way I live my life and deal with domestic responsibilities. Current responsibilities are such that it would not be possible for me to work away from the home for a period greater than 4-5 hours at a time, therefore full time work outside of the home would simply not be possible. The OAC business model allows me to work up to a full 40hrs per week from home. I currently choose to work 36 hours a week which allows me to fit in both domestic responsibilities and some leisure time too.

Whist there is plenty of contact with colleagues through the use of email and phone calls, the fact of working physically alone as opposed to in a busy office means that it is possible to concentrate to a much greater degree, there are few interruptions and no meetings to punctuate the day. The result is a higher level of productivity and corresponding feeling of satisfaction at work being completed.

Another not insignificant benefit is the reduction in the day to day cost of living eg in respect of travel, lunches and office wear."
Clare, Consultant Actuary, joined OAC in 2010
"Working from home has provided me with the opportunity to become a working mum with a lot of the guilt removed. The hours spent away from my family are spent wholly on the career I have trained for rather than sitting in queues and/or waiting for delayed trains.

The flexibility to work outside of normal working hours provides a great balancing act between family life, work life and social interests, and as a result, increases productivity.

I joined OAC in the winter and I am now reaping the benefits from the sunny spring and summer lunchtimes sat in my back garden - bliss!"
Colette, Practice Leader of Interim Resourcing, joined OAC in 1998
"The benefits of working from home supported by innovative solutions in ICT are numerous. The fact that all employee actions and comments, whether work related or otherwise, are recorded via computer means that the systems are always up to date. No searching for paper documents is needed!

Easy access to client records and reference material at the touch of a button has streamlined day to day work. With fewer distractions than in a conventional office (I only hear the telephone ring if it is for me!) work time is significantly more productive.

One area which is enhanced working in this type of environment is the ability to seek technical help from colleagues. In a database designed for the purpose, a query can be raised for all to see. This enables views to be exchanged and topics discussed easily and swiftly.

From a personal point of view, with no travelling to and from work, the time away from the family is reduced. In addition, the flexibility to work hours outside the usual working day enables sport and social activities that may otherwise not have been possible.

In all, I can say that my experience of working in such an environment has been hugely positive, from the ease of access to client and reference material, flexible working hours and to being able to create my own working environment that enables the most efficient use of my working time."
Jackie, Consultant, joined OAC in 2005
"I joined OAC in December 2005 after having spent all of my previous working life in conventional offices. At first working at home seemed very strange, and as I had joined in mid-winter I wondered if I would feel isolated, as I live on my own... But I must say that now I have been with the company for over a year, the benefits and advantages to me have proved enormous... I find in addition that I am much more productive when I work, as there are no unnecessary interruptions to cope with, and no "office politics"... Academically it is very rewarding to be able to follow a project through and to have my opinion valued... In summary, my quality of life has improved immeasurably... I cannot imagine going back to a conventional office now - I am sure I would find it very restricting."