Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 13
13
Paragraph: 56
The considerably different operating environment brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic has forced the PHSO...
Conclusion
The considerably different operating environment brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic has forced the PHSO to critically evaluate how it delivers its services. The Committee are pleased the PHSO is conducting a pilot to evaluate the implications of new working practices. The Committee will continue to monitor developments as the PHSO considers its future operating model to ensure it secures value for money from the resources it uses. Proper regard should be given to staff welfare concerns with home working which should not be an assumption in any new working model.
Paragraph Reference:
56
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
We have recently completed a six-month pilot, which required staff to come into the office a minimum of two days per week pro rata, to develop an evidence base for a longer-term hybrid model of working. We are currently evaluating the pilot, including through a series of focus groups with staff across the organisation and an all-staff survey that will explore the impact on PHSO’s culture. We will also be looking at what other organisations have been doing and considering their experiences. During the pilot, we commissioned an independent survey to explore how we have adapted to hybrid working. The results were positive and included: • Over 88% of staff saying they have access to training and/or support that helps them to work in a mobile/flexible way • 85% of staff saying they have the technology, tools and infrastructure that enable them to work across different locations outside the office • 74% of staff saying the culture of the organisation is supportive to working in a mobile/flexible way We expect to report on this evaluation in the autumn, when we will set out working arrangements into the medium term.