The University invites managers and staff to support a review of the Homeworking Policy, specifically in relation to experiences of hybrid working which was introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic to harness the benefits of hybrid working for staff. A short survey, open to all staff, has been developed to inform the review. The questionnaire is open to all staff whether you are working under a Hybrid Working Arrangement or not. Further information and the survey link can be found below.
Hybrid working is where staff spend some of their working hours or days at their contractual place of work, combine with some of their time working remotely, usually at their home.
The Homeworking Policy resulted in a high number of applications for hybrid working across all areas of the University from the start of the academic year 2021/22. Hybrid working was introduced on a trial basis up to and including August 2022. Following the introduction of hybrid working there was an additional period of lockdown in December 2021 and January 2022. Due to this the trial period for hybrid working will be extended slightly until the success of the trial period can be evaluated.
The review of the Homeworking Policy seeks to gain the views of managers and staff to evaluate whether the Policy has met expectations and to assess the benefits and challenges of the Policy. While the University is keen to ensure that staff have access to flexible working options, it must also balance these with operational requirements and the need to maintain a high level of student experience.
Managers will receive a ‘Manager’ questionnaire link from their Head of School or Director. All
staff can access the staff questionnaire on this link.
The survey is now open and will run for a period of 4 weeks, closing on Friday 2 September 2022.
Please note, we are using the Peachy Mondays platform for these questionnaires to support the analysis of the results. You will need to enter your Employee Number twice to access the survey, but this will not be included in the results the University receives from Peachy Mondays. All responses will be anonymous and none of the answers or comments will be attributable to individuals. Peachy Mondays will not report on responses where groups number less than 5.
The results of the survey will form the basis of a review of the Homeworking Policy and the hybrid working arrangements, ensuring they reflect the needs of the University community going forward.
Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey and assisting the review process.
Kind Regards
Debbie Dyker
Director of People