INDEPENDENT PUBLICATION BY RACONTEUR.NET #0691 29/09/2020 FUTURE OF WORK & COLLABORATION WHITEHALL GUIDANCE MAKING HOME WORKING A FUTURE WHERE NO 03 CAUSES CONFUSION 12 WORK FOR YOU 18 JOBS ARE BORING RACONTEUR.NET 03 FUTURE OF WORK REMOTE WORKING & COLLABORATION Mixed messages cause Distributed in Easy no code conflict and confusion The government’s ever-changing guidance around working from the office has caused much concern for businesses. But what does this workflows to mean for the long-term viability of remote working? Jonathan Weinberg However, even before the govern- Contributors ment's latest guidance, a poll by the he coronavirus pandemic TUC released in early September superpower has turned work on its head showed how three quarters of work- MaryLou Costa Peter Crush T Business writer and editor Business journalist with millions swapping ers had at least one concern about specialising in marketing, and former deputy everyday office life for working from returning to the workplace, with 34 tech and startups, with editor of HR magazine, home, but how long can this new per cent citing social distancing as a work published in The specialising in Guardian, The Observer human resources and working pattern last? factor. Meanwhile, a separate study any team. and Marketing Week. management issues. During the summer, the UK govern- Getty Images via TALLIS/AFP JUSTIN by TUC and BritainThinks found that ment made a strong attempt to per- just 38 per cent of workers said they Cath Everett Mark Hillsdon suade employees in England to return knew their employers had carried out Journalist specialising Contributor to titles such to work if the right COVID-secure pro- COVID-secure risk assessments. in workplace, leadership as The Guardian and and organisational BBC Countryfile, writing tocols were in place. Just weeks later it When speaking to Parliament on culture, with a focus on on topics including abandoned a follow-up ad campaign September 22, the prime minister the impact of technology sustainability, wildlife, as cases of oronavirus began to rise. appeared to give one indication of on business and society. health and sport. Then just last week, in an address to countering this on a wider scale. He Parliament, Boris Johnson was forced explained how retail staff would have Rachel Muller- Oliver Pickup Heyndyk Award-winning journalist, to return to the advice given early in to now wear masks and that COVID- Journalist focusing specialising in technology, the pandemic, telling “office workers secure guidelines within retail, lei- on workplace, culture business and sport, and who can work from home to do so”. sure, tourism and other sectors would and activism, with contributing to a wide However, he also added: “In key public become a legal obligation. range of publications. work published in The services – and in all professions where Steve Vatidis, executive chairman at Independent, the i paper and HR magazine. Jonathan Weinberg homeworking is not possible, such as A near-empty St Pancras Smartway2, a smart buildings com- Journalist, writer and construction or retail – people should train station in June 2020 pany helping organisations to adapt Tom Ritchie media consultant/trainer continue to attend their workplaces.” workplaces, believes ensuring work- Business journalist, specialising in technology, Such conflicting messaging has led places are safe, clean and adhering business, social impact specialising in human to confusion among employers and equipment for remote teams, says a This view is backed by Opinium to guidelines can be possible with the resources, leadership and and the future of work the future of work. and society. employees, not least those fearing third of companies he speaks to are Research on behalf of Ricoh Europe, right technology in place. He says: Approvals for their jobs and livelihoods as the getting rid of the office entirely, with which found 53 per cent of the public “The new normal may be easy for a prospect of redundancies grows. This others expecting employees will work believed the traditional office space small office of ten, but for offices with is now compounded by Chancellor from home two to four days a week. would no longer exist in ten years; in over a thousand staff, multiple floors Rishi Sunak's unveiling of the new Job A Twitter thread he wrote about the September 2019 it was 24 per cent. and various meeting rooms, it's a Support Scheme to replace the cur- 2020s being the “remote work decade” Seven in ten also thought remote and logistical nightmare. rent furlough scheme on November went viral with thousands of likes, flexible working terms will be written “Understandably, some employees 1, something described by him as “to and Herd insists government advice is into more contracts in the future. will feel wary of returning. Businesses support only viable jobs”. focused on the wrong future. He says: But Nicola Downing, chief operat- need safety nets of advanced mon- Now in the face of the current sec- “Workers everywhere have thrived ing officer of Ricoh Europe, believes itoring to ensure social distancing, Contracts Publishing manager Head of production ond surge of COVID-19 cases, many during the most difficult conditions a blended approach would eventually hygiene and contact tracing of staff, Helen Glynn Hannah Smallman employees remain fearful about imaginable. The government should be logical, where staff can choose to which can help workers feel comforta- social distancing when commuting or be looking at remote work as an oppor- split their working time between the ble to venture into the workplace.” Associate editor Design working close to colleagues. tunity for mass benefit: better work- office and elsewhere. She explains: However, with the Ricoh Europe Peter Archer Sara Gelfgren Kellie Jerrard In all four nations of the UK the life balance, closer relationships with “I’ve fully appreciated the extra time research also showing 26 per cent of Deputy editor Harry Lewis-Irlam advice is now to work from home if family and friends, reduced pollution with family and lack of commute, but people had felt pressured to return to Francesca Cassidy Celina Lucey possible, something that had always through the reduction of commuting, we must remember not everyone has the office, Jason Braier, an employ- Colm McDermott been the case in Wales. In fact, the and increased inclusivity, diversity had the same experience. For most ment and discrimination barris- Managing editor Samuele Motta Welsh government had previously and accessibility of opportunity. people, the office is undoubtedly ter from 42 Bedford Row Chambers, Benjamin Chiou Automations Jack Woolrich tweeted its longer-term hopes for “The economy will likely redistribute the place where they’re at their most explains there are legal risks in adopt- Digital content executive Art director such an ideal saying: “We think this to wherever remote workers happen to social, spontaneous and effective. ing a “come back or there will be con- Taryn Brickner Joanna Bird is an opportunity for a permanent operate from, leading to a renaissance “Leaders must equip them with the sequences” approach. change. Our aim is for 30 per cent of of smaller cities and towns. Remote right technologies and processes so He says: “Older employees and those Design director workers to work from or near home. work isn't just about the future of work, they can be connected, productive with disabilities may be most resist- Tim Whitlock This will reduce traffic, support local it's about the future of living.” and dynamic from anywhere.” ant to returning to the office out of businesses and provide flexibility.” fear of catching the virus. Dismissing Although this publication is funded through advertising and A number of major companies were them, or subjecting them to detri- sponsorship, all editorial is without bias and sponsored features still embracing home working anyway, ment for refusing to return, places the are clearly labelled. For an upcoming schedule, partnership including Google and NatWest, while employer at risk of various discrimi- inquiries or feedback, please call +44 (0)20 3877 3800 or across professional services, such as of workers in England and nation claims. email [email protected] the legal, accountancy and financial Wales have at least one “Statutory protections are also in concern about returning to Welcome to the future of work. Raconteur is a leading publisher of special-interest content and services sectors, others had continued place for employees who genuinely research. Its publications and articles cover a wide range of topics, work outside the home to encourage it given many people saw / fear being at work would place them including business, finance, sustainability, healthcare, lifestyle and 3 4 technology. Raconteur special reports are published exclusively in personal benefits to their lifestyles. in danger of catching coronavirus The Times and The Sunday Times as well as online at raconteur.net So where does this new approach and arguably for those whose refusal The information contained in this publication has been obtained leave bosses and workers in the short, to attend stems from fears they might from sources the Proprietors believe to be correct. However, medium and long term? How viable is say they know are concerned catch the virus when commuting. no legal liability can be accepted for any errors. No part of this it to keep the return to work on hold their employers about not being “Employers should treat concerns publication