New guidance on hybrid working

Working patterns have undergone significant change during the Covid-19 pandemic and many firms have started the transition to hybrid working.
When done well, hybrid working can improve employee’s motivation, productivity and engagement, and many firms are seeing its benefit to attract and retain a wider and more diverse pool of talent.

With 76% of employers expecting hybrid working to increase compared to pre-pandemic levels, it’s important for firms to ensure employees and managers are equipped with the right skills and resources to successfully transition.

As part of the government’s flexible working taskforce, the CBI has contributed to newly published guidance that will help employers develop fair and sustainable hybrid working practices – focusing on the key areas of people management, recruitment and induction; inclusion and fairness; and health, safety and wellbeing.

The guidance advises organisations to consider:

• Providing training to managers on how to manage hybrid teams effectively and support hybrid workers, including performance management, remote communication, collaboration and relationship building.
• Reviewing HR processes and procedures across the whole employee lifecycle to ensure they support hybrid working in practice, whilst also enabling inclusion and wellbeing.
• Undertaking ongoing listening activities with employees, managers and employee representatives to understand the early lessons of hybrid and whether hybrid is delivering anticipated benefits to individuals and the organisation.
• Keeping any hybrid working policies and principles under ongoing review, including the impact on workers with protected characteristics, and ensuring that action is taken to address any negative or unintended outcomes of hybrid working

How to make the most of hybrid working

For more guidance on hybrid working, see the CBI’s exclusive member guides on Adapting to Hybrid Working and Developing Skills for Hybrid Working.

Reach out to Katie for any additional information.