Wingham Rowan's new concept, Slivers-of-Time, allows companies to book workers by the hour

Every so often, you hear about an idea that seems so obvious and yet such a good idea that you wonder how we went so long without someone coming up with it sooner. Slivers-of-Time is just that sort of idea, although as with many of the best ideas, a simple concept has taken some incredibly complex technology to get right.

More than 12 years ago, technology journalist Wingham Rowan realised there were lots of people who were available to work a few hours here and there, but were unable to commit to an employer, even on a part-time basis. This untapped source of labour was matched by small employers with an uneven flow of work, who would love to be able to bring in temporary workers at short notice for a just few hours at a time.

Thus was born Slivers-of-Time, an online marketplace that allows people to sell hours of their time in whatever chunks suit them to organisations willing to employ them for that period. As simple as this sounds in theory, as Rowan sits me down to demonstrate the system, it becomes immediately obvious why it took so long to get going.

“Behind this system, there is a vast array of technical knowledge and computing power,” he says. He neglects to mention that to get the system up and running at all has taken 12 years of hard slog, including a fight with one-time backer PricewaterhouseCoopers over intellectual property. The scheme is now rolling out around the country, thanks to some funding from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, and will eventually operate nationwide.

Anyone with the ability to work for a few hours here and there—notably those looking to earn some money while they launch a small business—can sign up. The system is currently mediated by recruitment agencies, which take a small commission to vet potential sellers of time, as well as to make sure that those buying time get the right people.

The online exchange allows sellers of time to set their preferred hourly rate and other criteria, such as notice needed before a job starts and maximum distance they are prepared to travel. Both workers and employers are able to rate each other on their performance and reliability, with the wages commanded reflecting the worker’s rating and track record.

“The system is self-policing to some extent,” explains Rowan. “There’s no value in people letting employers down because it affects the amount they can earn. On the live system, people take these things very seriously. The need for an increasingly flexible workforce is key to the future success of this country, and this is a great way to help potential workers and employers benefit from that flexibility.”

To see if Slivers-of-Time is active in your area and to register your interest, visit www.sliversoftime.com