New hybrid working guide offers support to NI employers

As advisors and promoters of good employment practices, the LRA has clearly identified the issues, practicalitie, and implications impacting on both employers and employees as they face more change at work.

The free guide completes a suite of pandemic-related resources which cover topics such as ‘Making Workplaces Safer’ and ‘Working from Home’, each specifically designed to support businesses and organisations based in Northern Ireland as they adapt to changing public health recommendations.

Compiled in consultation with business leaders and trade unions, the Hybrid Working Guide aims to help employers plan and manage the reverse shift as they transition their workforces back to the office after almost two years of home working. This includes the pre-assessment, planning, consultative, contractual and review phases of the hybrid working model.

The guide also sets out the benefits, drawbacks, and practicalities that an employer should consider as well as recommendations on wellbeing support, inclusion, fairness, managing resistance and the associated legal implications.

Central to the guide is a template Hybrid Working Policy which can be adapted to fit the needs of each individual business and organisation.

Provided with complete impartiality, the guide complements the wider range of services which the LRA delivers to NI’s business community and employees on an ongoing basis. This reflects the Agency’s focus on stimulating economic growth and recovery which it has prioritised throughout the pandemic.

According to Patricia Coulter, employment relations manager, LRA the guide offers a timely and much needed support for all organisations which have had to adapt to the pandemic-enforced shift in working practices.

She explained: “Lockdowns and restrictions have had a considerable impact on both employer expectations and employee preferences. Above all they’ve resulted in a cultural shift in how, where and the way we work.

“While the term ‘hybrid working’ is often quoted, the practicalities are not fully understood, and there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ solution. Our guide will help employers best manage the transition, providing very practical advice and solutions to the 21st century workplace.”

In addition to the Hybrid Working Guide, the LRA continues to provide Covid-19 related support to the Northern Ireland Executive through its role as chair of the Northern Ireland Engagement Forum.

This brings together employee and employer representatives to offer expertise and experience on all employment rights and workplace-related issues.

To access the free Hybrid Working Guide visit www.lra.org.uk

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you