Remote Connected: Traders living on site

Traders living on site

Our trading colleagues in the UK still have to continue to operate from the Swindon offices – this is a challenge that needs to be met and the way they work adapted to maintain efficiency.

In accordance with their immense dedication, temporary living quarters were set up at the Swindon site which, during a trial period from the 13-20 April, housed four RWEST colleagues: Stu Hale, Ed James, Michael Ord and James Garrett.

This trial was employed to test whether, during the very highest levels of worker absenteeism, it would be feasible for a certain number of RWEST colleagues to live on site and continue to execute their essential activities. Though this is of course a hypothetical scenario, the willingness of these four RWEST colleagues to complete the crucial trial has generated a rich set of feedback that will contribute towards process alterations and improvements.

The accommodation was made up of two regular sized shipping containers, each one containing a kitchen area, bathroom and wash facilities and two single bedrooms. Therefore, though these colleagues were comfortable and morale was always high, it is important to recognise that the colleagues involved were away from their homes and their families.

Ian Loveday, Head of Short Term Trading and Logistics was keen to recognise this, saying “the Energy Traders are Critical National Infrastructure employees, and they understand the responsibilities and commitments that brings. That is why every single Energy Trader in the team, all 23 of them, have stated that if it becomes necessary they are willing to live at work. Their professionalism and commitment does not surprise me, but it does make me incredibly proud of each and every one of them.”