Ceredigion County Council is set to permanently allow its staff to work from home following positive feedback from its hybrid working trial.
Last summer, the council introduced a 12 month interim hybrid working policy so it could identify ‘an effective new way of working post-pandemic’.
In June this year, a review of the year-long trial was undertaken, with employees asked to provide feedback on their experiences.
The council said an ‘overwhelming majority’ of staff saw hybrid working as a positive experience and supported making it a permanent option.
More than 94% of managers said staff were as or more productive working from home as they were in the workplace, the council’s survey found.
Some challenges of homeworking were raised, including poor broadband connectivity, training and inducting new staff, feelings of isolation owing to fewer social encounters, and a lack of separation between work and home.
The proposed hybrid working strategy says ‘meetings with colleagues and external partners will be virtual wherever possible’.
Ceredigion CC said the proposal would allow the release of office space, which was not ‘fully utilised’ during the trial period.
Suggestions including using the space as community facilities, a health care setting, business space and residential accommodation arose from public engagement.
It has been recommended that the council’s cabinet consider the proposal in September.
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