Three quarters of Scots demand flexible working after the pandemic passes

Scottish employers are being urged not to ditch offices amid the lockdown switch to home-working after a new poll showed that three quarters of Scots want to work flexibly after the pandemic has passed.
Economic development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) usually has 300 staff based in 15 offices across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.Economic development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) usually has 300 staff based in 15 offices across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
Economic development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) usually has 300 staff based in 15 offices across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

Flexibility Works, a social enterprise that promotes flexible and home working, said bosses might be tempted to slash costs by closing offices after seeing how well employees performed working from home during the coronavirus lockdown.

But the organisation, which is funded and supported by the Scottish Government and the Hunter Foundation, argues that most employees want a blended approach working from home and in the office.

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Its poll of more than 300 workers suggests that 74 per cent of Scots want to work flexibly, or more flexibly than they are currently, post-lockdown.

Separate research by Direct Line Life Insurance reveals that 44 per cent of UK workers – equating to more than 13 million people – plan to ask their employer for changes to their long-term working pattern.

Flexibility Works said the key to continued high performance was giving staff more control over “where, when and how they work”, rather than creating permanent home working for all.

Nikki Slowey, the organisation’s co-founder, said: “Even before the coronavirus pandemic, the default Monday to Friday 9-5 office working pattern was becoming outdated. It was a legacy from the past that we just couldn’t quite shake off.

“Now we’ve witnessed four month of mass home working, which has proved people can work effectively from home.

“We have long championed the benefits of home working. But in a strange twist, we are now promoting the benefits of the office too.

“It’s clear from our own research the majority of employees would welcome more home working. But while some want this permanently, there are others who don’t want to work from home at all.

“Some people don’t have adequate space or they feel lonely and more anxious at home. Even those who are happy to work from home still say they need some face-to-face interaction, whether that’s one-to-ones with their manager, meetings with clients… or for team morale.

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“Demand for home working has increased massively, but the majority of us want a blended approach combining home and office working.

“Ultimately it is about giving staff more choice in where they work, that’s what flexible working is all about and that’s what drives up performance and productivity.”

Economic development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) typically has 300 staff based in 15 offices. A recent staff survey showed 97 per cent would like to continue at least some home working each week. A total of 88 per cent said they would like at least two days a week at home and 66 per cent said they’d like at least three days a week working from home.

Helen Herd, senior HR manager, said: “Being part of the communities we serve and close to our client base is important to support economic recovery and development across the region, so we will continue to have a physical presence.

“But there may be opportunities for more co-location with other public sector partners and community organisations and the creation of local hubs to work, collaborate and host events.”

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