The CIPD has unveiled a report on making hybrid working–spent at both home and the workplace – a success as employers consider post-pandemic flexible working options.

The institute found that Scottish employers are now more likely to say the shift to homeworking has boosted productivity – at 39%– than the 30% seen in June 2020.

A total of 70% reported that the move has either boosted or made no difference to productivity, and the proportion saying output has stayed the same has dropped – to 31% from 37%.

Employers who have embraced hybrid working include Big Four accountancy firm KPMG, which earlier this year told its 1,000 staff in Scotland to prepare for this approach to work. Today, PwC announced a deal to allow its 22,000 employees greater flexibility for post-pandemic working.

Seven out of ten employers also reported that they plan to introduce or expand the use of hybrid working to some degree, which the CIPD said highlights the need for organisations to take a strategic approach to homeworking to harness the benefits and improve working lives post-pandemic.

The proportion of Scottish employers reporting no benefits to homeworking has dropped to 11% from 28% recorded in April last year. Additionally, the percentage identifying the unsuitability of certain jobs for remote working as the key challenge dropped from 57 to 34.

Claire McCartney, senior policy adviser for resourcing and inclusion at the CIPD, welcomed positive employer attitudes to flexible working.

However, she said that to make hybrid working a success in the long term, “employers will need to implement a strategy which includes a focus on well-being, communication, boundary-setting and facilitating networking and effective collaboration.”

She added: “They must also provide appropriate training and support for managers so they have the tools required to support teams to work remotely.”

“Organisations will need to be adaptable and take a tailored approach based on individual choice and need in order to maximise the benefits and minimise the challenges of hybrid working. “