Hybrid working strategy
The first thing to consider is your hybrid working policy. It will inform all other aspects of your hybrid working strategy.
You need to consider these questions
- Who is eligible?
- What locations can staff work from?
- What split of office and non-office work is proposed?
- How will non-office based working be scheduled? At employee discretion or fixed days?
- Will hours be fixed or match office-based hours?
- Who will provide and fund workstation resources?
- What technological changes are needed?
- How will health, safety & wellbeing be managed?
- How will performance be measured?
Once you have established the answers to these questions, you can create a Hybrid Working Policy.
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Working from home
There can be many reasons why employees need, want or are compelled to work from home. After 26 weeks' continuous service in the UK, all employees have the legal right to request flexible working, which includes the opportunity to work from home. But, beyond that, there are times when a business may need employees to work virtually or from home - for example:
- Physical disruptions: Including office moves, lack of desk space, extreme weather events and/or power failures
- Financial motivations: Such as hot-desking to reduce costs or when entering new markets
- Talent management: When sourcing top talent from around the world to address skills shortages or forming global teams to service customers in different locations
- Government policy: Risks to health (e.g. coronavirus) or even life itself (e.g. terrorist threats).
Our 3-step road map for compliance training and assessment will help to put your homeworking environment on a much stronger footing.
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Returning to the workplace
In line with the UK government’s roadmap for ending lockdown, many companies are beginning to plan a phased return to work.
What comes next depends on several factors. Not least the nature of your work and where you are based (the devolved nations have their own schedules).
Sectors like hospitality, entertainment and others may take longer to reopen. It may also depend on the arrangements you've had in place during the shutdown.
- Return to Work E-learning Module
- Return to Work Staff Assessment
- Return to Work Checklist
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DSE & hybrid working
UK employers have a legal duty to protect their employees from the health risks of working with display screen equipment, such as PCs, laptops, tablets and smartphones. This applies regardless of where you are working. Less than 50% of employers completely understand DSE regulations with only 30% in full compliance. The main requirements are a risk assessment of your workstation, health and safety training and eye tests.
But there are also some simple steps you can take to help ensure that you stay safe and well when using DSE for work, especially if you are working away from the office.
Hybrid working DSE challenges
Managing DSE for those working in one location is relatively straightforward, even if they are permanently remote-working. However, if someone is working from home regularly, the rules are clear. Both locations need to be assessed.
The needs of employees will differ in each location, as do the obligations of their employer. It helps to undertake online assessments for remote locations, ideally relating home and workplace versions to a single employee record.
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Data protection & hybrid working
Clearly, any time data is managed or processed outside of a secure working environment, it is at greater risk.
Our Working from Home Insights Survey highlighted several areas of increased risk:
- Password protection: Leaving devices unlocked during breaks
- Privacy: Not preventing others in their home from seeing their work or listening to their conversations
- Non-work devices: Use of personal devices to work laptop/computer
In addition, there are risks associated with those travelling more regularly to and from their workplace.
That's why you need both policies and training associated with these activities to make staff aware of the risks.
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Best practices in hybrid working
If you'd like to stay up to date with compliance best practices, industry insights and key trends across regulatory compliance, digital learning, EdTech and RegTech news subscribe to Skillcast Compliance Bulletin.
12 Tips for Working Remotely
From recreating your working routine and creating protocols to scheduling breaks. Our tips will help you be at your best when working remotely.
Working Safely with DSE
Whatever your location, our tips to make sure you are practising the correct safety techniques when using DSE for work.
Managing a Hybrid Working Policy
The way we work has changed and navigating the hybrid working landscape is easier said than done. We examine how to manage a hybrid working policy.
Tips for Data Security When You're on the Move
It's tempting to keep working as you travel on public transport, but what are the implications? How should you balance the competing demands for productivity with confidentiality and security?
Managing Risk in a Health Crisis
Responding to pandemics COVID can become a crisis in itself if your risk management processes are not ready.
Working from Home Compliance & Training Roadmap
Working from home presents specific challenges to maintaining regulatory compliance. This is why you need a resilient, scalable plan.
Tips for Managing Stress at Work
While you can't always avoid stress, it's important to find strategies to manage it.
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Free hybrid working resources
We have 100+ free compliance training aids, including assessments, best practice guides, checklists, desk aids, eBooks, games, handouts, posters, training presentations and even e-learning modules.
Working from Home Self-assessment
Use our 7-stage self-assessment to ensure that you are safe and compliant while working from home.
Working from Home Training Module
Help to make your homeworkers feel valued and supported whilst reinforcing their company and regulatory obligations.
Managing Homeworkers Training Module
Decide if working from home is right for each role, and understand homeworker rights, responsibilities, and health and safety needs.
Return to Work Compliance Checklist
Our 2-page checklist acts as a reminder of key points to remember to ensure compliance with the official guidance.
Return to Work Online Assessment
Our 20-question gamified assessment will help you check your staff fully understand the guidelines for returning to work.
Return to Work Training Module
Our free Return to Work Training Module will help you and your colleagues stay safe and compliant after the lockdown.
Managing DSE for Hybrid Workplaces
Many employers now operate hybrid workplaces. In this webinar, we discuss best practices for managing DSE with industry experts.
DSE Training Presentation
Protect the health of your staff by educating them in the basics of using Display Screen Equipment (DSE).
DSE Bite-sized Video & Quiz
Our bite-sized DSE refresher helps employees understand the key requirements in under 2 minutes.
Workplace Stress Training Presentation
Help your team understand the dangers stress can cause, how to spot signs and what you can do to help ease the effects.
Workplace Accidents Training Presentation
Safety always comes first. Train your employees to identify potential hazards and prevent accidents.
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