New research has revealed that 83% of businesses are now offering a hybrid working model to all employees.
London-based recruitment firm Totum Partners found that 50% have a company-wide hybrid working policy in place, while the other half have published guidelines that can be interpreted by location or each individual. One-third (33%) prefer to spend three days in the office with two at home and 24% chose a 50/50 split, with specific days decided by them.
More than a third (36%) are planning to allow employees to work anywhere in the UK, with the same proportion allowing them to work abroad for short periods of time, and 67% believe that hybrid working models would help improve wellbeing and morale. One-third (33%) think that productivity and performance will improve because of this, which is an increase of 20% since March 2021.
More than half (58%) said they were planning to invest in flexible working, while 13% were thinking about it. Nine in 10 (94%) plan to set up communal working areas, while 78% will launch desk-booking technology and ensure meeting rooms are virtually connected for staff working from home.
Tim Skipper, director at Totum Partners, commented that it is “very positive” to see that firms are placing increased trust in their employees when it comes to hybrid working, especially given employees are increasingly taking this into account when making career moves.
He anticipates there will be continued investment into hybrid office spaces and training for managers working with blended teams, and it is likely that these types of policies will continue to grow following the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
“Not only are firms increasing productivity and business confidence, but they are reducing costs at the same time. The firms that can see the potential advantages of hybrid working, and that are embracing these policies, will be able to attract and retain the best talent by delivering the workplace flexibility that employees want and need,” Skipper said.