Get your free Hybrid Working policy

Following the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, lots of businesses have introduced hybrid working.

What does hybrid working mean?

Hybrid working gives employees to work flexibly in different locations, for example from home, public workspaces, in the office, or abroad!

Will employees expect hybrid working?

I have noticed a real trend towards hybrid working and depending on the sector you operate in, my opinion is that employees will come to expect hybrid working and flexibility in relation to hours.

How to put hybrid working into action?

I recommend obtaining employee opinion before making the decision to adopt hybrid working. This could be in the form of a staff survey or via managers. Once the business has come up with a draft policy, it should then consult with all employees individually or via a trade union or representatives (depending on the size of business). The reason businesses should consult is that hybrid working is likely to involve a change to terms of employment.

Do we need a hybrid working policy?

Yes. I advise putting in place a policy that outlines what is expected, set some boundaries, while allowing flexibility.

I recommend when adopting hybrid working to consider the following, and it is likely that these headings should also be included in your hybrid working policy:

• why the employer is adopting hybrid working;
• what hybrid working is, suitability for hybrid working;
• how to apply for hybrid working;
• hybrid working arrangements;
• hours of work;
• place of work;
• when on-site attendance is required;
• equipment and workstation;
• reporting and other requirements;
• expenses;
• illness or injury;
• insurance;
• health and safety;
• data protection and confidentiality;
• equal opportunities;
• communications, training and meetings; and
• How employees can access support.

Please also see useful guidance from Acas on crating a hybrid policy here.

I have drafted a template hybrid working policy which I am happy to share with any employer business for free. Please get in touch for your template.

If you have any employment or HR related questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch! Kate.brooks@ellisjones.co.uk or 01202 057754.