Hybrid and remote working here to stay

Here are the key findings and insights:

1. Long-Term Remote and Hybrid Work: The survey reveals that a significant majority of business leaders, 84%, plan to offer office-based staff some form of remote working in the long-term. This suggests that remote and hybrid work arrangements have gained broad acceptance and are expected to remain a part of the working landscape.
2. Variety of Approaches: Among the respondents, 13% of business leaders stated their intention to provide full remote working options in the long term. Additionally, 18% expressed their willingness to allow employees to choose how they work. This indicates a range of approaches to flexibility in work arrangements, with some companies offering complete remote work and others providing employees with the choice to decide how they work best.
3. Attracting and Retaining Talent: Alexandra Hall-Chen, Principal Policy Adviser for Employment at the IoD, emphasizes the value of flexible working policies for attracting and retaining talented staff. Flexible work arrangements can make a company more appealing to potential employees and help keep existing talent engaged.
4. Supporting Diversity and Inclusion: The statement also highlights that flexible working policies can benefit groups more likely to fall out of the workforce, such as parents and disabled people. By providing options for remote and hybrid work, businesses can create a more inclusive and supportive work environment.
5. Shift Towards Hybrid Models: While remote work is expected to remain a feature, some businesses are transitioning towards a hybrid approach. This shift may be driven by a desire to bring employees together for purposes like innovation and team cohesion, suggesting that in-person collaboration and remote work can coexist in a complementary way.
6. Persistence of Remote Work: Importantly, the statement notes that very few businesses are completely removing their remote working offers. This indicates that even in cases where there is a push to encourage in-person collaboration, remote work options are not disappearing entirely, highlighting the enduring nature of these flexible work arrangements.

Winter temperatures lure workers back to the office

In contrast, the Virgin Media O2 Business Movers Index for Q3 2023 shows that 56% of UK workers are commuting four days a week or more because of soaring energy prices. One in five UK workers would be tempted back to the office by free heating over the winter period.