The Covid-19 pandemic has shown that it is possible for many people to work from home. Now, a survey of UK HR professionals by the HR software provider CIPHR, suggests that remote working is here to stay, regardless of any future vaccine.
According to the survey of UK-based HR leaders, only 5% said they expected to go back to old ways of working, while 58% of respondents expect a large and permanent increase in remote working.
A further 1 in 3 (36%) said they expect a small increase in remote working, while 1% said they don’t expect to ever go back to the office.
Claire Williams, director of people and services at CIPHR, says: “The shift to remote working was a shock to many organisations, especially if they were relying on manual processes to manage their workforce. In the second half of 2020, CIPHR has seen a surge of interest in the CIPHR Connect HCM platform as HR leaders outline their people management requirements to support remote work. With most HR professionals expecting the increase in remote working to remain post-pandemic, organisations need to be equipped with integrated systems and processes that enable them to attract, engage and manage their people outside of the office.
Williams continues: “The majority of organisations have had to move quickly to more agile people management processes. HR teams have dealt with rapidly evolving legislative challenges, such as the furlough scheme, while keeping the rest of their people management processes fluid in the middle of a global pandemic. Going forward, efficient and flexible people management processes will be key to making the hybrid workplace a reality, and powerful, connected HR software will only continue to grow in importance.”
Award Winning CEO Coach Peter Ryding, Founder of the HRD Pathfinder Club, believes hybrid working, with a blend of on-site and remote work, will be the end result of all the COVID disruption. Peter says while home working seems to have proved positive so far, the mechanics and boundaries to long term remote working are still evolving. Peter says:
“Members of The HRD Pathfinder Club are very senior HR professionals who tell us that remote and hybrid working continues to evolve. A certain degree of flexibility will continue to be important – the virus will almost certainly will continue to throw curveballs, but one thing is certain, shared experiences will be vital in shaping the future of home working. It’s important, too, to remember to accommodate employees who don’t want to work from home full time. Even while working remotely ourselves, senior leaders need to share best practice, understand what worked and what didn’t, and ensure that all employees, including furloughed employees, continue to be supported and engaged in the best way possible. Getting it right presents a massive opportunity for a whole new world of work, and it’s one we should grasp with both hands – but that will need HR to take centre stage in the boardroom to get CEOs, CTOs and CFOs on board and engaged with any future strategy.”
About CIPHR
CIPHR is a specialist provider of Software as a Service (SaaS) HR, payroll, recruitment and learning software. For more information visit ciphr.com.
