Hybrid working is on the increase and the Flexible Working Bill has received Royal Assent this year, meaning millions of UK workers will have more flexibility over where and when they work from 2024. However, there are still a large number of businesses that are falling behind when it comes to making hybrid working work for them.
We took a look at the recent Commission on Hybrid and Remote Work recommendations and at some of the latest research to explain the UK’s hybrid and flexible working figures, and what they could mean for your organisation.
Making hybrid and flexible working work.
Since the pandemic, the number of people looking for flexible working between home and office is rising, resulting in The UK Government issuing a proposal to change the rights to request flexible working. The Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023 passed through parliament earlier this year seeks to introduce new requirements for employers to consult on flexible working requests, reduced waiting times for decisions and the right to request flexible working from day one rather than after 26 weeks of employment.
Although currently 60% of organisations already offer flexible and hybrid working Research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) found that 49% of organisations were not aware of the proposed UK Government changes - the ‘day-one right’ to request flexible working in a new role.
Why hybrid working is worth getting right.
CIPD has also carried out research into Flexible and hybrid working practices in 2023 which showed not only that 40% have seen an increase in requests for flexible working following the pandemic but also that an increasing number of people are leaving their jobs due to a lack of hybrid/flexible working in their company.
Research found that 6% of employees changed jobs last year due to a lack of options – and 12% left their profession/sector altogether. And whilst these may not seem high numbers they actually represent almost 2 million and 4 million workers respectively who are leaving organisations and changing their careers based on lack of availability of the right flexible working environment.
“It is essential for employers to increase both formal and informal flexible working arrangements to improve staff retention and attract the best talent.”
CIPD Flexible And Hybrid Working Practices In 2023 Research
Get ready for hybrid working in 2024 and beyond.
A growing number of organisations believe that it is important to provide flexible working as an option when advertising jobs as a way of attracting staff and addressing skill or labour shortages.
The Commission on Hybrid and Remote Work was set up to examine and advise on how the UK Government can respond to growing numbers of hybrid and remote workers. Its purpose is to highlight the advantages to workers, local communities, and the UK economy as a whole.
“75% of hybrid workers told us that hybrid working has had a positive impact on their work-life balance”.
Hybrid Work Commission 2023
The commission has identified that, for it to be effective, employers need to implement structures and training around hybrid and flexible working. Although recognising the increased popularity and benefits of a hybrid working model, it found that employer investment in training was on the decline, falling by 28% since 2005.
We can help.
“Hybrid working should offer the best of both worlds if run well, but many organisations are struggling to make it work effectively.”
Emma Walker-Cotton
Here at The Hub Events, we have dedicated training courses designed to help you optimise your organisation for hybrid working, helping both your people and your business benefit from a better way of working.
Making Your Hybrid Team Work Long Term is a one-day in person course designed to instil and embrace a culture of hybrid working in your organisation. It will help you plan how to present your organisation’s vision about how hybrid working is delivered for you and your team to help them engage and excel.
Leading Hybrid Teams. In this half-day online leadership course, we help you manage teams effectively when people are working from home. We look at the key challenges for organisations working in a hybrid environment and give you practical tools and techniques to apply in your business.
Both are run by our fantastic trainer, Emma Walker-Cotton, who has a wealth of experience delivering valuable training for businesses and their people as they navigate hybrid working models. Emma believes that hybrid working when embraced effectively brings far more advantages than drawbacks;
“Organisations can put tools in place so that hybrid working increases productivity, team motivation and helps with retention.”
If you want to invest in your team and optimise your organisation for hybrid working, get in touch with ustoday to book a place on one of our courses or for a discussion with our expert team on the range of training that can be tailored for your organisation.