Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 25
25
Accepted
Paragraph: 80
The PHSO should provide an update in its response to this Report regarding what tools...
Conclusion
The PHSO should provide an update in its response to this Report regarding what tools and infrastructure have been upgraded to support hybrid working, as mentioned in the Business Plan for 2022–23. The Committee would also appreciate information on what the PHSO is doing to continually monitor the impact of the requirement to work in the office 40% of the time on organisational productivity, culture, and employee wellbeing.
Government Response Summary
The PHSO states that following the decision to maintain hybrid working, they have made some updates to systems to maximize productivity, including integrated telephone and ICT systems, simplified login process and remote connectivity, enhanced office wireless networks and piloting the further capability offered by Microsoft Teams.
Paragraph Reference:
80
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Following the decision to maintain hybrid working, we have made some updates to systems to maximise productivity. We have integrated telephone and ICT systems to remove the need for call forwarding to mobiles and reduce costs. Our login process and remote connectivity has been simplified to improve user experience, reducing complexity, and saving time. Office wireless networks have been enhanced to enable more colleagues to work flexibly within the space. In 2023–24, we are piloting the further capability offered by Microsoft Teams to improve the access and management of documents and to support better collaboration. Options for redesign of the Citygate office, following engagement with staff from across the organisation, are being finalised. Work to increase both collaborative and quiet spaces and will commence in Autumn 2023. PHSO has robust performance management systems. We have increased productivity, which has resulted in a reduction in the number of cases we have waiting to be assigned to a caseworker, despite high case volumes. We continually seek feedback on the impact of business changes on workforce productivity and wellbeing, including on hybrid working, through staff engagement mechanisms. The annual Staff Survey also provides an opportunity to obtain feedback on a range of issues and includes questions associated with where staff work. In our 2022 Survey, for example, 63% of respondents were positive about having a choice in deciding where they work, 81% were positive about achieving a good work/life balance and 88% were positive that the technology provided enables them to connect and collaborate from any location.