New Hybrid Working Guidance From ACAS

Hybrid working is a type of flexible working where an employee splits their time between the workplace and working remotely. The new guidance is timely given that a recent study published by ACAS shows that over half of employers in Great Britain expect an increase in demand for flexible working from employees after the country comes out of the coronavirus pandemic.

ACAS's new hybrid working guidance advises employers to:

• consult widely with staff or their representatives about introducing hybrid working and discuss practical considerations such as regular communication, technology, performance management and health and safety
• create a hybrid working policy to establish which roles are eligible, how someone can request it and any principles such as allowing remote working for a maximum number of days a week
• ensure staff who are working remotely are not excluded and have access to the same opportunities as those in the workplace such as team-building activities, training and development
• make sure decisions around whether to approve a request for hybrid working are fair and transparent and that other forms of flexible working that could work as possible alternatives can be discussed with employees
• think about training line managers and staff to help them prepare for and manage hybrid working
• consider a trial period to see if it works and if any further adjustments to arrangements are needed.

Such guidance may be helpful given that employers are likely to have to deal with an increasing number of flexible working requests from employees in the coming months.

If you require further guidance on hybrid working or would like help drafting and implementing a hybrid working policy in your workplace, please contact Siân James in our Employment Law team on 0117 314 5331, or complete the form below.