Jump in Scottish employers reporting boost in homeworking productivity as they consider post-pandemic flexible options
More Scottish employers are reporting increased productivity benefits from homeworking compared to last summer, according to new research.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has unveiled a report on making hybrid working–spent at both home and the workplace – a success as employers consider post-pandemic flexible working options.
The professional body found that Scottish employers are now more likely to say the shift to homeworking has boosted productivity – at 39 per cent – than the 30 per cent seen in June 2020.
Additionally, 70 per cent say the move has either boosted or made no difference to productivity, and the proportion saying output has stayed the same has dropped – to 31 per cent from 37 per cent.
Employers to have embraced hybrid working include Big Four ac count antkp mg, which earlier this year told its 1,000 staff in Scotland to prepare for this approach to work.
Seven out of ten reported that they plan to introduce or expand the use of hybrid working to some degree, which the CIPD said highlights the need for organisations to take a strategic approach to homeworking to harness the benefits and improve working lives postpandemic.
Lee Ann Panglea, head of CIPD Scotland and Northern Ireland, welcomed positive employer attitudes to flexible working.
“However, to make hybrid working a success in the long term, employers will need to implement a strategy which includes a focus on well-being, communication,boundary-settingandfacilitatingnetworking and effective collaboration.
"They must also provide appropriate training and support for managers so they have the tools required to support teams to work remotely."
The proportion of Scottish employers citing no benefits to home working has fallen to 11 per cent from 28 per cent recorded in April 2020. Additionally, the percentage identifying the unsuitability of certain jobs for remote working as the key challenge dropped from 57 to 34.
The CIPD is calling for organisations and the government to make the right to request flexible working a day-one right for all employees.