Working From Home – In the bin or here to stay?

The recent Panorama Documentary ‘Should we still be working from home’, highlighted the impact working from home is having on the economy, the significant rise in rounds of golf (particularly mid week!) and an unfairness that so many roles don’t get the choice. In summary, it wasn’t great press for working from home but what are the business implications of keeping or removing remote working?

In 2024, many businesses shifted back to having employees in the office, and the general consensus is that this will continue in 2025, with many choosing a hybrid model where it works for them.

Bringing your team together in the office offers numerous business benefits, such as:

·       Improved communication

·       Improved collaboration

·       Better support for individuals well-being

·       Better ability to train and upskill through peer support

HOWEVER, evidence shows that offering ‘true flexible working’ can enhance your talent pool and make recruitment easier, candidates now expect a degree of remote working as standard rather than being considered as a ‘perk’. Employees can reap the benefits of reduced travel and commuting costs, time saving and improved work/life balance. So a decision to remove it completely shouldn’t be made lightly.

If you want your team back in the office what do you need to be aware of as an Employer and what steps can you take?

1.      Communication! Speak to your team – what is their reluctance to return to the office? Is it the commute? They feel more productive at home? They don’t get on with a colleague? There might be an easy solution to support the return.

2.      Check their contract – are they contracted to work from home or is their main place of work your office location?

3.      Encourage them to read your Flexible Working Policy – from 6th April 2024, the right to request flexible working has been a day 1 employment right. If the employee

4.      Write a Remote Working Policy that meets the business needs while still giving employees a level of flexibility on your terms.

For more information on getting your team back in the office or confirming your remote working policy, get in touch. We can discuss your 2025 plans and how Heartland HR can support you. Call Jenna on 07715 313 504 or email hello@heartlandhr.co.uk