Europe UK (Commonwealth Union) – Since pandemic restrictions came in many companies were forced to adapt to remote working facilities, however remote working facilities are nothing new as even prior to the pandemic many remote working facilities were very much in existence. Some of the industries that were actively engaged in remote work were predominantly e-commerce businesses, customer service and some educational program functioning in a correspondence capacity. The transition to remote work and flexible working hours were not feasible for many factories requiring staff to be present to carry out activities on-site.
A new report has found that managers are more optimistic regarding flexible working than since the beginning of the pandemic, and even think it can enhance productivity.
The latest annual report from researchers at the University of Birmingham Business School and the University of York into flexible working is linked to data gathered in summer 2022 from 597 managers from all over the UK further building on prior reports looking into changes to flexible working together with working norms since the pandemic.
Some of the key findings of the report were that 8 percent of managers held the view working from home enhances employee concentration and a further 59.5 percent holding the view that it raises productivity; and a further 62.8 percent agreeing that it enhances motivation. Other key data was that 7 percent agreed that compressed hours raise productivity, and 44.1 percent that part-time working raises productivity, while 33.2 percent believed the same about job share.
A majority of managers also held the view that job advertisements must include the availability of flexible working (93.5 percent) making them more appealing to possible applicants (90.5 percent) was also indicated in the report.
Dr Holly Birkett from the University of Birmingham Business School together with Dr Sarah Forbes from the University of York, co-authors of the report, say “Managers have become much more positive about flexible working as a result of COVID-19, but they are still more likely to support flexitime and homeworking than other types of flexible working, such as part-time and job shares, which are more likely to be used by women.”
