Led by Public First, the Commission on Hybrid and Remote Work was set up to examine and make recommendations on how the UK Government can respond to the rise in hybrid and remote working to the advantage of people, communities, and the broader UK economy.

A report summarising the Commission’s latest research can be found here.

In particular, our economic analysis has found that hybrid working has encouraged large numbers of professionally educated women to move to full time work – particularly mothers. For decades, women have worked fewer hours than they would ideally like because of the challenges of managing children and other dependents. However, new evidence from Public First’s research released today shows that:

• Women that mainly work from home are much more likely to work full-time than those that work mainly away from home;
• That is even more the case in households with dependent children;
• The industry data shows large increases in the share of women in professional services (banking, ICT and other prof services) working full-time between 2019 and 2023, even more so when we look at those with kids.

Based on our findings, we recommend that:

• Employers should seek to create moments for purposeful interaction, connection and collaboration by ensuring that employees have a reason to be in their office if they are so required.
• The Government, working with relevant bodies, should develop guidelines to support businesses to measure productivity in a hybrid and remote working environment.
• Employers should offer line managers and those with management responsibilities training on hybrid and remote work to help them support their teams with hybrid working.
• Hybrid and remote working provisions should be included as a part of Good Work Charters.
• The Government should consider reviewing parental leave policies and the impact this may have on bolstering gender divisions in the workplace.
• In consultation with businesses, the Government should introduce a National Remote and Hybrid Work Strategy to ensure that remote working is a permanent feature in the UK workplace in a way that maximises economic, social and environmental benefits.
• The National Infrastructure Commission should actively consider the rise of hybrid and remote working in their second National Infrastructure Assessment due to be published later in 2023.

This report was co-sponsored by the commissioner member organisations and led by representatives from each:

Peter Cheese, CIPD, Chief Executive Officer

Laura Hegarty, Indeed, Senior Director, Global Corporate Communications

Gemma Dale, Liverpool John Moores University, Senior University Lecturer

Sarah Mulholland, Northern Powerhouse Partnership, Deputy Chief Executive

Andrew Pakes, Prospect, Deputy General Secretary / Director of Communications & Research

Nicki Lyons, Vodafone, Director of Corporate Affairs & Sustainability

Charlotte Holloway, Zoom, Head of Government Relations, EMEA

The modelling tables can be found here.