Homeworking productivity higher compared to last year

More employers are finding homeworking is creating increased productivity levels amongst their staff, particularly when compared to the previous year.

The new research from the CIPD revealed that employers are now more likely to say that the shift to homeworking has boosted productivity (33%) than they were in June 2020 (28%).

However, the CIPD is stressing the need for employers to look at flexible options beyond homeworking, recognising that not all roles can be done from home. It’s calling for organisations and the government to make the right to request flexible working a day-one right for all employees through its #FlexFrom1st campaign, to help boost the number of people using a variety of flexible working arrangements.

The report recommends these seven strategies to make hybrid working a success:

• Develop the skills and culture needed for open conversations about wellbeing.
• Encourage boundary-setting and routines to improve wellbeing and prevent overwork.
• Ensure effective co-ordination of tasks and task-related communication.
• Pay special attention to creativity, brainstorming and problem-solving tasks.
• Build in time for team cohesion and organisational belonging, including face-to-face time.
• Promote networking and relationship building across the organisation.
• Organise support networks to compensate for the loss of informal/’on the job’ learning for those who are new to the organisation or role.

Claire McCartney, Senior Policy Adviser for Resourcing and Inclusion at the CIPD, commented, “The pandemic has shown that ways of working that previously seemed impossible are actually possible. Organisations should take stock and carefully consider how to make hybrid working a success, rather than rushing people back to their workplace when there are clearly productivity benefits to homeworking.

“To make hybrid working a success in the long-term, employers need to implement a strategy that focuses on wellbeing, communication and collaboration to recognise people’s individual preferences. They must also provide appropriate training and support for managers, so they have the tools needed to support employees to work remotely. Organisations will need to be adaptable and take a tailored approach based on individual choice and need in order to maximise the benefits and minimise the challenges of hybrid working.”

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