Virtual Assistant roles offer further flexibility for PwC workers in Glasgow

Home working has been given another thumbs up by PwC, with the professional services firm’s Glasgow office hiring 14 Virtual Assistants who will spend the majority of their working week at home.

The new recruits, who will support partners and directors, will spend just one day a week in the office and the other four at home.

The programme provides workers with opportunities to adapt and flex their days around their personal commitments, as well as working in a comfortable home environment, avoiding the daily commute.

It was established to provide remote support options for PwC partners and directors whose needs often fall outside of the traditional ‘9 to 5’ pattern.

PwC’s recently published Good Growth for Cities report highlighted the importance to people of work-life balance and the impact of commuting time - which is clearly echoed by the 250 applications received for the positions.

This follows the launch in August of PwC’s Flexible Talent Network, which allows people the chance to work for the firm on projects that suit their specific skills without being tied to standard working hours. More than 2,000 people signed up for the network in its first two weeks.

PwC research has shown that 46 per cent of people believe flexible working and a culture of good work/life balance is the most important factor when choosing a job.

The concept of the Virtual Assistant was first established in the firm’s Manchester office and has been rolled out across Birmingham, Leeds, and Bristol. This is the first time the initiative has been rolled out in Scotland.

The community of VAs across the UK is now more than 150, with the potential to grow further.

The team of 14 staff began work in Glasgow this week with a three-week induction programme including the approach to well-being required to work at home.

Kenny Wilson, office senior partner at PwC in Glasgow said: “The concept of sitting at the same desk every day is one which is fast becoming outdated in a world driven by technology and data. That is why we’ve launched our Virtual Assistant programme in Glasgow.

“This progressive concept allows the firm to provide the support needed to our partners and directors, while offering workers the option to flex their working days at hours that better suit the business.

“By offering different routes into the firm beyond the traditional 9 to 5 job, we are hoping to attract more diverse talent who previously may not have considered the firm as an employment option.”