Big Rise In ‘Hybrid’ Working Shown In New Poll Of Business Managers

A new survey of managers undertaken amid the continuing relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions in England has revealed concerns among many respondents that measures designed to limit the spread of the virus are being lifted too fast.  

The poll, as reported by Sky News, found that 50% of managers believed the changes were occurring too quickly, compared to the 39% that felt the transition was happening at the right pace. An additional 8% were of the view that coronavirus restrictions were being relaxed too slowly.

Another insightful finding from the survey was a significant increase in ‘hybrid’ working – from 57% prior to March last year, to 83% in July 2021. 

Are significant numbers of employees likely to continue working from home? 

What also emerged from the research, from the Chartered Management Institute, was that managers working in manufacturing were likelier than those in business and other services to express the view that restrictions are being lifted at the right pace. 

The Government ending its guidance to staff to work from home from 19th July has raised the question of whether more workers will soon be resuming their roles in the office. Sure enough, according to the poll findings, eight in 10 managers intended to bring at least some personnel working from home back to base. 

However, a mere 13% of those questioned said they would be asking all staff to return. It seemed that many managers favoured an approach whereby some employees remained at home, with 25% stating that they would be asking most employees to return, and 43% saying they would only be requesting that some of their staff come back. 

It seems that some employees could even be working from home permanently from now on, given the 15% of managers that said none of their remote-working employees would be asked to return. 

Measures against COVID-19 are also set to linger in the office 

When the workers that do resume life in their employer’s office come back, it seems that many measures to help slow the spread of the coronavirus will be there for them. 

Some 76% of managers questioned said they planned to continue with their existing anti-COVID precautions, compared to the mere 2% that intended to ditch safeguards. 22% of the research participants expressed uncertainty as to which approach they would take. 

However, even amid the reports in recent weeks of more and more people being alerted to self-isolate, this didn’t appear to be a great worry for some managers quizzed in the poll. 46% said they weren’t concerned about the possible day-to-day effect on their business of staff being forced to isolate. 53%, however, did say they were concerned. 

Furthermore, there appeared to be more worries in some sectors than in others. Two thirds of managers in manufacturing, trade, accommodation and transport admitted to being concerned, while for those in business and other services, the figure was 44%, and for managers in non-market services, it was 55%. 

Helping your business manage its money at a time of transition and challenge 

Are you anxious to ensure greater certainty for your South West England business, at this time of uncertainty? If so, the team at TS Partners is happy to talk to you about our wide-ranging services. 

We’re one of the most trusted Wellington and Plymouth accounting companies, dedicated to helping businesses like yours to more efficiently manage their finances. Please enquire to our Devon or Somerset sites today for further information.

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Created on Jul 28th 2021 07:19. Viewed 142 times.

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