Future of work | Should HR be embracing remote working?

Before the coronavirus pandemic hit the UK, the day-to-day lives of employees could more or less be mapped out from month to month, as staff knew what was expected of them and what direction the business was going in. However, since the current crisis, the future of work has been left up in the air for many.

Companies across the UK have announced store closures, redundancies and lower profits than ever before as businesses struggle to fight against the impact the virus has had on the economy, while new measures such as the introduction of face masks, social distancing and the increasing use of technology has left the workplace feeling like alien territory for many.

While some employers have been reluctant to allow staff to work from home and employees have shown concerns over their ability to be able to work efficiently on a virtual basis, Justin Ukrainski, Head of Learning and a People Transformation Lead at Royal Mail, has urged professionals to try and see the benefits of this style of working, as it is likely to stay for some time.

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“I think it’s an outcome as a result of this exercise where perhaps it didn’t exist (working remotely), people have thought they have got no choice, it’s not a case of 'okay we’re going to have only some working from home'. I’ve seen leaders who would never encourage home working who had no choice to do it and have now completely shifted their mindset,” Ukrainski explained.