Hybrid working can be the ‘best of both worlds’ but only if done well – that’s the conclusion of extensive research by a cross-party House of Lords committee on home-based working.

We submitted evidence to the committee, so we were keen to see their report, which was published last week, and makes a series of recommendations for employers and policymakers. If you don’t fancy reading the (very thorough) 144 page report, our director Nikki Slowey gives her take on what you need to know.

Hybrid is here to stay

UK data shows about four in ten workers work from home at least some of the time, and this isn’t shifting. The report also points out that lots of ‘return to office’ mandates reported by the media are, in fact, the formalisation of hybrid arrangements setting out specific instructions, such as a number of days required in the office each week. Everyone is not going back to the office.

Training and proactivity is key

The committee heard lots of evidence about the benefits of hybrid working for workers as well as for employers, such as reduced costs in office space, reduced sickness and absence rates and better recruitment and retention.

Speaking about the research, the committee chair, Baroness Scott of Needham Market, said: “Effective management of hybrid working is key in allowing people to reap the collaborative benefits of attending the office as well as the flexibility to work from home. If it is done well, hybrid working has the potential to be the best of both worlds. However, due to under-investment in management training, the skills needed to successfully manage hybrid working are lacking.”

Training managers really is key to making a success of hybrid working. As is being intentional and proactive in creating opportunities for connection and collaboration, for example, by using anchor days so teams come together regularly.

We’ll gently mention here that we run workshops for managers and teams on how to create great hybrid working full of connection and collaboration opportunities…

And we’ll point out that our recommendation for Government-funded training for SMEs on effective hybrid working was specifically mentioned in the report too.

Employers missing a trick in recruitment

Recruitment was discussed with the report noting the scarcity of hybrid and home working in job adverts – just 12% mention home working. There was genuine surprise and bafflement from the committee as to why employers don’t mention this more. Particularly because the committee also heard 39% of all workers work from home at least some of the time, that workers value hybrid as much as an 8% pay rise, and that offering home working helped employers recruit better and more diverse staff. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again, if you offer flexible working – shout about it when you’re recruiting. You really are missing a trick if not.

We got another name-check in this section of the report, for our recommendation that UK and devolved governments should ensure including flexible working options in public sector job adverts becomes standard practice.

Hybrid helps people into work

We were pleased the report highlighted the impact hybrid and home working can have on people’s ability to get into work.

Baroness Needham said: “The increased flexibility of remote and hybrid working can be especially beneficial to people with disabilities and to parents or carers, and may help them to work where they couldn’t previously. If the Government wants to encourage more people back into work, then it should look into the potential of remote and hybrid working alongside existing back to work initiatives.”

This is something we’ve also long championed for all types of flexible working, not just hybrid.

What next?

If your own hybrid policy was created several years ago in the wake of the pandemic, perhaps it’s time to revisit? You can look at your own data and staff feedback to see where things are going well, and where you can improve.

We also offer bespoke consultancy and a range of one-off workshops that can help you and your teams update and enhance your hybrid (and all flexible working) so it works harder for your people and your organisation.

Working Well as a Hybrid Team – Our half-day, in-person interactive workshop for hybrid teams, to help strengthen team connection and communication, helping hybrid teams work more effectively now and in the future.

Flex Explore – Our practical and engaging workshop designed to give managers the tools and confidence to manage flexible teams successfully. This training offers straightforward strategies and insights to help managers and teams thrive in a flexible work environment.

Flex Forward – Equip your managers with the skills and strategies needed to lead high performing flexible teams. This training offers advanced strategies and insights to help managers lead effectively in a world where flexible working is the norm and the way we work has fundamentally shifted.