Flexible working can help increase employee engagement, job satisfaction and wellbeing across an organisation.
Although these are postive factors for flexible working, research we carried out found that 46% of employees do not have flexible working conditions in their current role. At the CIPD, we believe that flexible working should be the norm, not the exception.
Explore our evidence-based practical guidance, tools and reports to help you design and implement flexible and hybrid working procedures into your workplace. Use our tools to map your flexible and hybrid working journey for your organisation.
Factsheets
Regularly-updated factsheets provide overviews and information on a topic
1 Factsheets about Flexible and hybrid working
Factsheets
Flexible working practices
Explores the benefits of flexible working, the types of arrangements commonly used and gives practical tips on implementing flexible working practices
Employment law
Practical resources to help you address employment law issues at work, and keep up with recent and pending legislation.
1 Employment law about Flexible and hybrid working
Employment law
Flexible and hybrid working: UK employment law
Explore our collection of resources around legal issues relating to flexible and hybrid working, including the changes to the right to request flexible working
For Members
Guides
Designed for practitioners, our guides provide recommendations and advice on how to apply good practice in the workplace.
7 Guides about Flexible and hybrid working
Guides
Flexible working: Guidance for people professionals on planning and managing
This guide has been developed for people professionals who want to maximise the benefits of flexible working within their organisations, incorporating flexibility into people plans, strategy, and their employee value proposition.
Guides
How to request flexible working
A guide for employees to develop a strong business case for submitting a flexible working request
Guides
How to manage flexible working requests
A guide for employers and line managers to navigate the expected upsurge in flexible working requests
Guides
People manager guide: Flexible working
Practical guidance for managers on managing flexible working
Guides
Hybrid working: Guidance for people professionals
Advice on how organisations can manage hybrid working arrangements
Guides
People manager guide: Supporting hybrid working
Advice for line managers on supporting and enabling hybrid working
Guides
Effective hybrid working: Practical guidance
Guidance commissioned by the CIPD on behalf of the Flexible Working Taskforce
Reports
Research and analysis by experts from CIPD and partner organisations
10 Reports about Flexible and hybrid working
Reports
Working Lives Scotland
Dedicated analysis of job quality and its impact on working lives in Scotland
Reports
CIPD Good Work Index – North of England
A North of England summary of the CIPD Good Work Index 2023 survey report
Reports
CIPD Good Work Index
The CIPD Good Work Index provides an annual snapshot of job quality in the UK, giving insight to drive improvement to working lives
Reports
The four-day week: Scottish employer perspectives
Analysis exploring employer attitudes towards reduced working hours and current working patterns
Reports
Resourcing and talent planning report
Our trend analysis and benchmarking data on recruitment, workforce planning and retention helps HR and employers recruit and retain effectively
Reports
UK regions ranked by flexible working uptake
Our analysis of ONS data ranks UK nations and regions by use of flexible working arrangements
Reports
Flexible working arrangements and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
Data shows a drop in all forms of flexible working arrangements - other than homeworking - since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic
Reports
Technology and digital transformation
Curated content to support the first trend of the CIPD’s People Profession 2030 virtual Hackathon
Reports
Flexible working in the UK
Reviews the evidence on the progress of flexible working in the UK, summarises and comments on the main findings and sets out policy recommendations
Case studies
Learn from real world examples of how other people professionals and organisations work with the CIPD to approach key challenges and objectives.
21 Case studies about Flexible and hybrid working
Case studies
Flexible and hybrid working: Pearson
Pearson encourages collaboration and community, whilst giving employees the freedom and responsibility to determine where and when they work
Case studies
Flexible and hybrid working: Zenith
In the UK’s leading vehicle leasing organisation, agile working means a hybrid approach that brings the best of the office with the best of working elsewhere, with trust at its core
Case studies
Flexible and hybrid working: Principality Building Society
Principality’s approach to flexible and hybrid working focuses on ensuring colleagues are supported, connected and productive, regardless of how or where they choose to work
Case studies
Flexible and hybrid working: Scottish Water
Scottish Water’s progressive approach to flexible working has been recognised by the Flexibility Works employer awards as one of the country’s Top 10 flexible employers in 2021 and 2022
Case studies
Hybrid working and employee wellbeing: International SOS Foundation
A case study on using evidence-based practice to better understand how to support hybrid workforces
Case studies
Hybrid working: Bank of Ireland
Matt Elliott, Chief People Officer at Bank of Ireland, believes COVID-19 has helped HR rediscover its caring side
Case studies
Hybrid working: NEC Europe
After implementing hybrid working at NEC Europe over two years ago, Head of HR, Meera De Sa, says success lies in trusting staff to work just as hard from home
Case studies
Hybrid working: Central Surrey Health (NHS)
Sayma Salik, People Partner at Central Surrey Health (NHS), says hybrid working is here to stay, but the balance will lean towards returning to the office.
Case studies
Hybrid working: GlobalGiving UK
Case study on a business that relies on networking, who decided sharing an office space with other companies could be the ideal hybrid solution
Case studies
Flexible working: Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
Implementing flexible working produced benefits in terms of retention and reduced sickness absence
Case studies
Flexible working: Pharmaceutical Research Associates
Flexibility is equally beneficial for the organisation, employees and, importantly, clients
Case studies
Flexible working: Hachette
CEO support and promotion of flexible working key to its success
Case studies
Flexible working: Transport for London (TfL)
Finding a balance for both employee and business needs
Case studies
Flexible working: A job-share partnership
Honesty and trust between a job-sharing partnership essential for it to work successfully
Case studies
Flexible working: Cross-sector insights
Explore case studies from nine cross-sector organisations to learn about flexible working within different contexts
Case studies
Flexible working: Schneider Electric
Successful implementation of flexible working looks different across different areas of the business
Case studies
Flexible working: United Living
Champion the process through line managers and people at different levels to overcome any resistance
Case studies
Flexible working: GLF Schools
Communication proved critical for making flexible working successful
Case studies
Flexible working: Lendlease
Trust and good communication between line managers and colleagues essential for developing successful flexible working
Case studies
Flexible working: Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Experimentation is key when it comes to flexible working
Case studies
Smarter working: Christchurch and East Dorset
By modernising their office, going digital and working flexibly, the bright sparks at Christchurch and East Dorset Councils saved £4m, improved customer service and transformed morale
Tools
7 Tools about Flexible and hybrid working
Tools
How to improve flexible working in your organisation
Use our flexible working quiz to receive tailored recommendations
Tools
How to manage flexible working requests made during recruitment flowchart
Use this flowchart to work through how to respond to flexible working requests made during recruitment
Tools
Measuring and evaluating the impact of flexible working
Checklist to assist people professionals in measuring, monitoring and evaluating flexible working
Tools
Building a business case for flexible working
Use this checklist and evidence overview to help build a convincing business case for flexible working
Tools
Flowchart to respond to a flexible working request
Use our flowchart to help you respond to a formal flexible working request
Tools
Assessing roles for hybrid working flowchart
Use our flowchart to assess roles for hybrid working, considering the nature of the work undertaken in a role
Tools
Hybrid working: Checklist for managers
Use our manager checklist to kick off discussions around hybrid working and agree flexible working arrangements
Thought leadership
Insight and foresight from our experts in people and the world of work
28 Thought leadership about Flexible and hybrid working
Thought leadership
New employment legislation to come into effect on 6 April 2024
We outline the key pieces of legislation set to come into force in the UK and explain their implications for employers and employees
Thought leadership
Could mismatch in desired and actual hours worked prompt early labour market exit?
We examine people’s desired hours and how this compares to the hours they actually work
Thought leadership
Engaging with the UK’s main political parties
Carl Quilliam recounts the CIPD’s activities at the UK’s three main political party conferences in 2023
Thought leadership
What does the new flexible working legislation herald for UK workers?
Carl Quilliam discusses what the passing of the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023 means, what changes it brings and when they might be implemented
Thought leadership
CIPD-backed changes to support working carers gain Royal Assent
Claire McCartney discusses the importance of the most recent Private Members’ bills to become law and how beneficial they will be to employers and employees
Thought leadership
What can we expect from a Labour government on employment rights?
CIPD Senior Public Affairs Officer Amie Evans looks at some of the proposals outlined in the Labour Party’s National Policy Framework and what they might mean in practice
Thought leadership
Why we need to make part-time work
Research shows part-time working could solve HR’s most pressing issues, according to Professor Clare Kelliher and Dr Charlotte Gascoigne at Cranfield School of Management, and Claire McCartney, the CIPD’s Senior Policy Adviser on resourcing and inclusion
Thought leadership
A growing spotlight on flexible working
New legislation will see workers have a greater say over when, where, and how they work. Claire McCartney discusses the day-one right to flexible working, and the role CIPD is playing.
Thought leadership
Maximising employee voice in a hybrid working world
Tips for enabling employee voice and the dangers of employee silence
Thought leadership
Is Scotland moving to a four-day working week?
Can employees have a four-day working week in Scotland? Marek Zemanik delves into this current debate by analysing the CIPD’s recent report on the subject
Thought leadership
Employers’ perspectives on the four-day working week
Ben Willmott, CIPD’s Head of Public Policy, considers key findings from the CIPD’s new report on the four-day working week
Thought leadership
Where are we now with home working?
Jon Boys reflects on how home working has developed since the start of lockdown in 2020
Thought leadership
The future of work: Insights for senior leaders on drivers of change
Our article series explores key trends shaping our future workplaces and working lives
Thought leadership
Day-one right to request flexible working preferable to unworkable calls for default right to flexible working
CIPD’s Head of Public Policy Ben Willmott explains why calls to require employers by law to advertise jobs as flexible and give employees a day one default right to flexible working wouldn’t work in practice
Thought leadership
Responding to the UK Government’s Flexible Working Consultation
Claire McCartney discusses our latest consultation response to the UK Government on Making Flexible Working the Default
Thought leadership
Prioritising wellbeing in an ‘always on’ digital age
Out-of-hours ICT use can lead to ‘always on’ working and be a serious barrier to wellbeing. What can employers do to help?
Thought leadership
Home and hybrid working: current employment law essentials for people professionals
What do HR practitioners need to know and do regarding contractual issues and health and safety law?
Thought leadership
Let's open up flexible working for all
Claire McCartney’s article reflects on CIPD’s new #FlexFrom1st campaign, specifically looking into subsections of flexible working such as home and hybrid working. She also discusses our recommendations for employers and the UK Government, and how beneficial the government’s Flexible Working Taskforce will be going forward
Thought leadership
Has more homeworking eased or exacerbated some of the UK’s workplace challenges?
Gerwyn Davies’ article reflects on the latest CIPD report: Embedding new ways of working, which focuses on homeworking and whether it is beneficial or not for employers and employees
Thought leadership
Organisations need to work with their carers to give them the support they need, now more than ever...
Claire McCartney explores the challenges working carers face and what employers, and government, can do to support them in the workplace
Thought leadership
Coronavirus and the workforce: Working from home in the 'new normal'
This thought piece explores the pros and cons of using digital technologies to work from home during COVID-19
Thought leadership
Politics can wait – Scotland's coronavirus response
Marek Zemanik looks at how the UK Government and the Scottish Government are supporting businesses, and what can be done differently during the pandemic
Thought leadership
Flexible working and carers announcements in the Queen’s Speech
Claire McCartney takes an in-depth look into the UK Government’s plans to support working families
Thought leadership
Can the four-day week solve work-life balance?
This thought piece explores why a four-day working week won’t create better work-life balance
Thought leadership
Workers’ choice key to genuine ‘two way’ flexibility
The CIPD conducted a survey for the Government's latest consultation on the introduction of a right for all workers to have reasonable notice and compensation, which highlighted a number of issues. Ben Willmott discusses
Thought leadership
New legislation to improve how variable hours workers are managed
Ben Willmott points to good people management as the key for making flexibility work for both parties
Thought leadership
Flexible working: new cross-sector guidance and toolkit
Claire McCartney writes about new CIPD practical guidance and toolkit to help organisations at different stages of their flexible working journeys
Thought leadership
Any time, any place, anywhere (part 2)
Enabled by technology and spurred on by increasing globalisation, the ability to work anywhere, anytime has, for many workers, morphed into working everywhere, all of the time
Podcasts
Listen to episodes from our podcast series on a range of topical workplace, HR and L&D issues.
3 Podcasts about Flexible and hybrid working
Podcasts
Has working remotely killed organisational culture?
Podcast 200: Listen to our podcast on the impact of hybrid working on organisational culture and whether organisations should mandate a return to the physical workplace.
Podcasts
Can we make a 4-day week work?
Episode 188: Offering a four-day week could give organisations a competitive edge, as employees seek a better work-life balance. But does it really have the potential to become the norm across a wide range of sectors and businesses?
Podcasts
Building back better post-pandemic
Episode 170: The post-pandemic recovery offers businesses the opportunity to build back better. This podcast explores how business can reimagine three key elements of work; the physical workplace, working practices and working relationships.
Webinars
Webinar recordings providing expert guidance
10 Webinars about Flexible and hybrid working
Webinars
Right to request flexible working: Upcoming changes
Watch our webinar for an outline of the changes, guidance and advice from our panel of experts
Webinars
Is successful hybrid working feasible for you?
Watch our video and explore how to make hybrid working feasible for your organisation
Webinars
Solving the hybrid working challenge
Watch our webinar to hear from the UK Government’s Flexible Working Taskforce and explore how to implement hybrid working in your organisation.
Webinars
Managing multicultural teams
Watch our webinar to hear from a panel of UK and international experts how managers can positively influence culturally diverse teams, and how to successfully manage an increasingly hybrid workforce.
Webinars
Returning to the workplace: mitigate the divide
Watch our webinar to unpack how employers can best rebuild trust and working relationships as workers are reintroduced into to the workplace.
Webinars
Returning to the workplace - hybrid working
Watch our webinar to explore how you can best support your frontline and key workers’ mental wellbeing now and beyond the pandemic.
Webinars
Embedding flexible working for all
Watch our webinar and explore how you can support access to flexible working for your workforce
Webinars
Remote working: maintaining productivity
Watch a video and download slides from our webinar discussing how employers and people professionals can keep remote workers motivated and engaged
Webinars
Homeworking long-term
Watch our webinar discussing how people professionals can effectively support ongoing homeworking
Webinars
Looking after your remote teams
Watch our webinar on supporting the health and well-being of your remote working teams
Evidence review
Evidence reviews enable you to ask the critical questions and use evidence for better decision-making.
2 Evidence reviews about Flexible and hybrid working
Evidence review
Flexible working, teleworking and diversity: An evidence review
Examine the evidence behind the claim that flexible working arrangements support inclusion and diversity
Evidence review
Developing effective virtual teams
This report gives insight and practice recommendations for running effective remote teams from our evidence-based review
Bitesize research
Your regular overview of current research, inspiring insights and cutting-edge ideas in bitesize
36 Bitesize research about Flexible and hybrid working
Bitesize research
Is office space essential for productive work?
Evaluating the pros and cons of working in shared office spaces, and how they impact on productivity
For Members
Bitesize research
What does 50 years of research reveal about the 4-day work week?
A four-day working week is not a one-size-fits-all intervention and can vary in impact depending on context and the model adopted
For Members
Bitesize research
Should employees choose their working hours?
The case for giving people more working-time autonomy
For Members
Bitesize research
Missing social interactions leading employees to reject working from home
A look at a German study that explores why some employees prefer to work onsite than from home
For Members
Bitesize research
Why employees with more flexible working options work harder
Research suggests that increasing flexible working options for employees in routine jobs boosts productivity
For Members
Bitesize research
Does working from home lead to psychological isolation?
Researchers explore the experience of physically distanced team members
For Members
Bitesize research
Job autonomy should be bolstered with support
Research suggests that job autonomy should be accompanied by appropriate support for employees, to avoid excess job demands
For Members
Bitesize research
Evolution of homeworking opportunities in the UK according to job ads
Research shows that offering ‘working from home’ options has become an intrinsic part of the recruitment market
For Members
Bitesize research
Performance and productivity – the impact of team cohesion
How does different aspects of team cohesion affect employee performance and productivity?
For Members
Bitesize research
Part-time working: lessons from flexible furlough
Exploring key lessons on part-time working, from managers’ experiences of using flexible furlough
For Members
Bitesize research
Surviving remotely: The impact of remote working on employee wellbeing and work behaviours
How job control and loneliness during a forced shift to remote work impacted employee work behaviours and wellbeing
For Members
Bitesize research
Can remote working close the disability employment gap?
Despite the advantages of increased home-working, people with disabilities are still missing out
For Members
Bitesize research
An accessible overview of remote working
This book review from Jonny Gifford summarises the authors’ thorough but accessible overview of remote working and why it’s probably here to stay.
For Members
Bitesize research
Lessons learned from hybrid working
As increasing numbers of organisations make the transition into hybrid working, what can they learn from those that are more experienced?
For Members
Bitesize research
Anytime, anyplace, anywhere – technology and hybrid working
Why people professionals need a deeper understanding of technology’s impact on people’s working lives
For Members
Bitesize research
Homeworking: A gendered career issue?
Flexible working arrangements challenge gender stereotypes of women in the workplace
For Members
Bitesize research
What does true flexibility look like?
Translating policy into practice to ensure that flexible and hybrid working is a win-win for employers and employees
For Members
Bitesize research
What works in hybrid working?
Lessons from research into virtual teams
For Members
Bitesize research
What’s the key to successful homeworking?
Lessons learned from COVID-19 find that with the right levels of trust and autonomy, productivity and creativity can thrive
For Members
Bitesize research
How to create the invisible glue that binds a team together
Proactively establishing a psychologically safe work environment is crucial for virtual or hybrid working teams
For Members
Bitesize research
What have we learned from the rapid shift to homeworking?
Despite many challenges, the pandemic has helped organisations become more flexible and robust
For Members
Bitesize research
Reducing stress and burnout for remote workers
The importance of good quality management practices in reducing stress and burnout while working from home
For Members
Bitesize research
Getting the balance right: Managing home and work boundaries
How workers can use a range of physical and psychological tactics to keep work and home life as separate as possible
For Members
Bitesize research
Tomorrow’s office: A social but productive hub
The office of the future will be a hybrid one: designed for ‘human moments’ and enhanced by technology to support remote working and collaboration
For Members
Bitesize research
Promoting healthy emotions and high psychological safety for home workers
Identifying good HR practices to maximise the effectiveness of homeworking
For Members
Bitesize research
Can we ever justify monitoring remote workers?
Assessing the pros and cons of surveillance software, and how HR teams should and shouldn’t use it
For Members
Bitesize research
Is familiarity the key to successful virtual teams?
Getting to know each other on a professional and personal level boosts team performance
For Members
Bitesize research
Changing our minds about work
The pandemic has shifted mindsets on long established assumptions about remote working, employee wellbeing and career attitudes
For Members
Bitesize research
Five steps to effectively leading virtual teams
Keeping teams productive whilst working remotely
For Members
Bitesize research
Flexible working for working carers
Supporting those balancing work and care
For Members
Bitesize research
Homeworking and team performance
The impact of team homeworking on performance
For Members
Bitesize research
Do employees work harder when working flexibly?
The impact of flexible working practices on work effort
For Members
Bitesize research
Does flexible working make for happier workers?
This article explores the effect of flexible work on employee attitudes
For Members
Bitesize research
Work-life balance among women of African origin
Explore this case study-driven research
For Members
Bitesize research
Benefits and challenges of flexible working
Explore current experiences of flexible working
For Members
Bitesize research
Understanding remote working and employee wellbeing
Explores the impact of remote working on employee wellbeing
For Members
CIPD Viewpoint
Our collected point of view on the key issues impacting work, from the perspective of employers and policy makers.
1 CIPD Viewpoint about Flexible and hybrid working
CIPD Viewpoint
Flexible working uptake
Explore the CIPD’s point of view on flexible working, including recommendations for employers
Policy engagement
Our calls for action.
4 Policy engagements about Flexible and hybrid working
Policy engagement
A code of practice to reflect shifting attitudes to flexible working
Read our response to Acas’ consultation on handling requests for flexible working
Policy engagement
The right to request remote working in Ireland
Read our submission to the Workplace Relations Commission's consultation on the right to request remote working
Policy engagement
Good work plan: proposals to support families – transparency of flexible working and family related leave and pay policies
Read the CIPD's submission to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Policy engagement
Good work plan: one-sided flexibility – addressing unfair flexible working practices
Read the CIPD's submission to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Learning
We offer a range of evidence-based courses tauilored to suit you and your needs.
Our Essential Insights courses are free as part of the CIPD membership.
Prepare for flexible working demands by understanding the physical considerations, culture shifts and benefits of effective hybrid working.
Recognise how hybrid working can be implemented successfully and explain the associated impact on the organisation and employee experience.
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