Employers must embrace ‘demand for different’ or face losing staff
Recent research conducted by the RSA and Vitality, Healthy Hybrid, revealed that Britain’s remote workers want much more flexibility over where they work going forward. More than eight in 10 would prefer to work at home for either part or all of the week, just under half want a hybrid arrangement (48%) compared to only 16% who said they want to return to working in a physical location all of the time.
The direction of travel does seem to suggest that employers are open to increasing access to hybrid or home working options, however a study by the CIPD, Flexible Working: Lessons From The Pandemic, found that only 63% of employers intend to introduce or expand hybrid working. The findings of the RSA report, meanwhile, found a significant gap between homeworkers’ hopes and their expectations with regard to their employers’ plans.
For example, almost one in three (29%) expect to have to work mainly at a physical location in the future, despite this only being the first choice for 16% of employees. This 13-percent point gap equates to around 1.9 million employees in the UK.
Shifting attitudes
This, combined with the shifting values of staff as a result of the pandemic, points towards a workforce that increasingly looks for a workplace that supports their wellbeing, flexibility, work-life balance, mental health and ability to lead a healthy lifestyle.
The question for employers, as we enter another ‘new normal’ following the end of the latest iteration of lockdown restrictions, is how to meet the need of staff in a way that creates shared value for all.
When initiating post-lockdown plans, managers and leaders should explore the potential for a ‘best of both’ model: a ‘Healthy Hybrid’ that can deliver inclusive productivity gains for their business alongside a healthier, happier workforce.
Firstly, and most importantly, this means aiming for productivity that is consistent with healthy behaviour and long-lasting wellbeing. And, secondly, it requires understanding of the productivity potential of different work settings, and aligning schedules and workflows in a way that works for all involved.
Shared value
Data from Britain’s Healthiest Workplace, the UK’s largest workplace wellbeing survey last published by Vitality in 2019, shows that the UK economy loses almost £92 billion a year as a result of ill-health related absence and presenteeism in the workplace, with employers losing on average 38 days per employee due to presenteeism.
At Vitality, we start from the premise that a truly ‘Healthy Hybrid’ approach to working is possible. While this will inevitably come with challenges – such as in ensuring workers are treated fairly and equally regardless of their location – it has the potential to unlock inclusive productivity gains for organisations, while keeping staff happy and healthy in ways that retain their loyalty as a result.
Drawing upon evidence from our recent survey, a series of interviews with experts and senior leaders, alongside RSA analysis of the pandemic’s impact upon work, we set out 10 practical steps employers can take to implement ‘Healthy Hybrid’ into work in a way that generates true shared value within businesses.
The author is Neville Koopowitz, CEO at Vitality.
This article is provided by Vitality.
In partnership with Vitality
At Vitality, we take a unique approach to insurance. As well as providing high-quality comprehensive cover, we provide a complete wellness package that can help boost employee engagement and productivity.
