UCLan - Remote & Hybrid Working Principles for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs)

Many employees and businesses have extolled the bene fi ts of working from home. However, this research highlights the breadth of challenges frequently associated with remote working and hybrid ways of working. Examples include: • Increased feelings of isolation and loneliness. • Negative impact on social relations at work. • Increased workloads. • Blurring boundaries between the workplace and the home. • Increased focus on task orientated and transactional work. • The reinforcement of existing workplace inequalities. • A detrimental impact on equitable work practices. • Challenges to health and wellbeing. • Digital presenteeism and being ‘always on’. • A lack of training and development. • Exacerbating unresolved con fl ict between teammembers. • Zoom/Teams fatigue. These examples have shown to have a negative impact on productivity, which has led to the development of this set of principles to support SMEs in remote and hybrid working. Re-imagining Good Work Remote & Hybrid Working Principles for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) 3 Challenges of Remote/Hybrid Working Remote & Hybrid Working Principles Understand Flexibility Foster Relationships Prioritise Health & Wellbeing Support Development & Training Understand Employee Voice Be Aware of Digital Presenteeism