The CIPD is urging employers to continue to develop and set new ways of working and ensure all workers, regardless of where they work, are treated and rewarded fairly and consistently.
New data from the CIPD shows that more than three-quarters of businesses have embraced hybrid working through a mix of formal and informal arrangements. However, employers are torn over whether the move to new ways of working will last or if organisations will go back to pre-pandemic ways of working. In response, the CIPD is urging employers to seize the moment to develop and embed new ways of working that will ultimately benefit organisations and their people.
The survey of over 1000 senior decision makers by the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, found that the bulk of employers who can offer hybrid working – a mix of workplace and home working – are embracing it.
More than three-quarters of respondents’ organisations (78%) allow hybrid working, through either formal or informal arrangements. Just 8% don’t, and 13% said it wasn’t generally applicable for their job or sector.
–Over half of respondents (54%) expect hybrid workers to be in the office for a minimum number of days either each week (43%) or each month (12%).
–Two fifths (44%) said there were no minimum expectations to come in.
–(34%), or three days (32%).
–59% of senior decision makers agreed business leaders and managers in their organisations were more likely to trust people to work from home and be productive following the pandemic, compared to before COVID-19.
While the research suggests that hybrid working is working well in many organisations, some challenges or resistance are being felt.
Ben Willmott, Head of Public Policy at the CIPD said: “The post-Covid future of work is still undecided. Now’s the time for employers to engage with their people and continue to refine and embed new ways of working that suit both the organisation and the workforce. Developing effective hybrid working arrangements can help employers attract and retain a more diverse workforce while enhancing employee wellbeing, work-life balance and productivity.”
Hybrid working won’t suit everyone or be possible for many workers, so employers must ensure there is consistency and fairness in how they manage, reward and promote those who can work from home and those who attend the workplace every day.
