SMEs have one month to share their views on remote work

As the debate continues on working from home versus returning to the office, Parliament is collecting evidence about the real-world impact of flexible work on businesses — and your small business could have a say.

A newly-formed parliamentary committee is calling for UK organisations and workers to submit their views into the impact of remote and hybrid working. The findings could potentially guide policy-making and make a difference in future working models.

You have one month to share your views with the committee before the April 25th deadline. We’ll explain how to put your views forward, below.

Parliament calls for evidence on flexible work

An official call for evidence into the impact of flexible working was announced earlier this month by the House of Lords Select Committee on Home-based Working.

The committee is exploring the impact of remote working on workers and employers, as well as wider economic consequences. The aim is to build a deeper understanding of home-working, separate from sensationalist headlines. Major findings from the committee may even influence future government policy.

Commenting on the inquiry’s launch at the start of March, Baroness Scott, Chair of the Committee, said, “Since the pandemic, remote and hybrid working have become increasingly important for large parts of the UK workforce, with around 40% currently estimated to work from home at least some of the time.

“We are interested in examining the [effects] including wellbeing and mental health outcomes, productivity levels, and the wider impact on the UK economy.”

Research efforts are already in full swing, with the committee having held two meetings with large employers so far. On Monday, the conversation focused on company perspectives on remote and hybrid working.

Remote work debate heats up

Widespread return-to-office (RTO) policies have planted a seed of change for many businesses. Boots, Salesforce, and THG are some of the big names that are demanding workers shun home-working for full-time office attendance.

Baroness Scott adds, “[Remote and hybrid working] have become a hot topic more recently amid calls in some quarters for workers to return to the office.”

Reasons for the mandates include fostering stronger team cohesion and collaboration, a desire for an ‘office-first’ culture, and better in-person productivity. Today’s tough economy means bosses are also nervous to keep a closer eye on output.

Conversely, remote working also has its proponents. It provides substantial cost-savings for employers and employees, while also promoting a healthy work-life balance. Additionally, flexible working can broaden the talent pool beyond geographic restrictions. For parents, it can give time back to balance childcare with their careers.

Still, it’s not for everyone. Gen Z graduates have expressed a preference for working in the office to combat feelings of isolation and to improve networking opportunities.

Startups data suggests that a blend of working from home and the office could provide the best of both worlds and SMEs are embracing a hybrid model.

The Government has previously shared the sentiment that flexible working is the way forward. It’s been touted as a potential solution to presenteeism and as of 2024, laws were introduced to support employees requesting flexible working arrangements.

But the findings from this inquiry into home-working could alter Whitehall’s stance.

How to make your voice heard

If you’d like to submit your experience to the committee, you can do so before 10am on 25 April. The final report will be published on November 30.

Beforehand, you should carefully read through the questions posed in the Call for Evidence. If you have answers, you can submit your perspective to the online portal.

Submissions should be under 3,000 words and include an introduction and your reason for responding to the inquiry. If you have any difficulty using the portal, you can also respond via email, social media, or post.

We recommend that SMEs take advantage of this significant opportunity to directly influence the national conversation on RTOs.

By contributing real-world experiences and data, SMEs can move beyond the often-sensationalist headlines and provide nuanced, practical insights that facilitate a more balanced and effective approach to flexible working now and in the future.