Four out of five businesses believe the workplace will never be the same again, according to a new report. The ‘Flexible Futures’ report produced by Redwigwam also found over half of the SMEs polled said that creating a more flexible workforce would be of critical importance as the UK looks to rebuild after the Covid-19 pandemic.
The company surveyed 500 businesses as part of the report. Other key findings included:
- 45 per cent said their businesses had been negatively affected by Covid-19
- 24 per cent were forced to make people redundant during the pandemic
- 90 per cent said flexible workers they have used have always been excellent
- 50 per cent said flexible workers had been vital in helping them keep going throughout the pandemic
Lorna Davidson, CEO of Liverpool-based Redwigwam, said: “We are not surprised that 80 per cent of businesses say the world of work has changed forever. We can see this from the surge in demand for flexible workers throughout the crisis and the conversations we are having now with employers wanting to create a more dynamic and flexible workforce for the future.
“The business leaders we surveyed believe a more flexible approach to work is here to stay and that once the crisis is over, businesses will be changed forever,” she said. “People simply won’t want a permanent return to the office, and flexible working will mean business leaders feel more in control – they can invest with less risk and react more quickly to changing circumstances.”
Burton’s Biscuits is a strong advocate of flexible working. Wills Jennings, Burton’s sales controller, said: “There is an increasing appetite for flexible working as businesses have to re-evaluate costs and overheads. Flexible working becomes more important as it gives you the option to turn on or off as appropriate for the business.”
Lorna said that creating vibrant communities in the workplace will be key moving forward. “As the lines between our work and home lives become increasingly blurred, the need for purpose and belonging is a key component of our new working life.”
More than 130,000 flexible workers are registered on Redwigwam’s AI-powered online platform, while 4,500 companies are looking to tap into the Redwigwam community to find the talent they need. Clients include Coca-Cola, Kellogg’s, Morrisons, Tesco, Burton’s Biscuits, SimplyCook, Proper and the Snaffling Pig Company.
