Home Boost Business Lancashire logo

Reimaging remote work for SMEs

Talking to customers on the phone from home MAN BANNER

Northern SMEs business owners are being encouraged to embrace to six principles to support staff working from home

A new set of principles to improve the lives of employees working from home and enhance productivity has been launched by the University of Central Lancashire and regional partners.

Small and medium sized business across the north of England are being encouraged to embrace new remote working principles to ensure staff working remotely receive the same support and development opportunities and are not disadvantaged by working from home. Six remote working principles have been developed from research into Covid-19 on SMEs, they are designed to support SMEs, health and wellbeing and productivity.

With over half of jobs in the North West, North East and Yorkshire and Humber region working in typically office based environments and now being asked to work from home, there is a significant lack of good home working practices for the four million northern remote workers Recent studies have shown around three quarters of directors expect home working to continue after the pandemic, although staff’s mental health wellbeing and interaction with employees are cited as the most worrying challenges from the shift away from the office.

A new set of principles, created by the University of Central Lancashire alongside regional partners involves six key remote working principles for employers to embrace to in order to improve productivity, opportunities and the health and wellbeing on staff working from home. The principles ask employers to:

  1. Understand Flexibility to consider employees’ needs to achieve secure, sustainable and productive work wherever possible.
  2. Support Skills Development and Training to focus on development and progression for the whole workforce.
  3. Create a platform to understand the Employee Voice and create an inclusive work environment to ensure minority voices are heard.
  4. Foster social Relationships between co-workers to enhance the informal dialogue across the organisation.
  5. Be aware of Digital Presenteeism and Work intensification to improve work-life balance.
  6. Support Physical and Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Dr Adrian Wright, Director of the Institute of Research into Organisations, Work and Employment at the University of Central Lancashire, said: “Enforced homeworking due to Covid-19 has now become the status quo, and will inevitably continue beyond the pandemic. “It is crucial that businesses maintain the trust and commitment of employees in order to face the inevitable challenges ahead.

Attention must be paid to core principles such as secure, well paid work and staff development and progression which gives employees financial security in these uncertain times.

Professor Sue Smith, Director of the Centre of SME Development at the University of Central Lancashire said: “These principles will act as guide to help organisations respond to the ongoing challenges while being productive and supporting employees’ wellbeing.”

The University of Central Lancashire is providing businesses across Lancashire with a range of support to bounce back stronger through its range of Business at UCLan support programmes and packages.

In addition to using University research to expand, the service also offers expert advice on reducing energy bills, bring new products to market, accessing marketing support or networking with other similar companies. To find out more, visit www.uclan.ac.uk/business

Share

You may also like...

UK external finance increases, as businesses remain cautiously optimistic on the economy UK external finance increases, as businesses remain cautiously optimistic on the economy
25th October 2024
 | 
Finance
UK external finance increases, as businesses remain cautiously optimistic on the economy
The British Business Bank’s fourth Nations and Regions Tracker has found usage of external finance has increased overall across the UK, with 11 out of the 12 nations and regions recording an uptick in use of small business finance.
Five Lancashire businesses take home national awards at the EVAs 2024 2024 Enterprise Vision Awards
2nd October 2024
 | 
News
Five Lancashire businesses take home national awards at the EVAs 2024
Five Lancashire businesswomen have been recognised for their outstanding achievements at this year's Enterprise Vision Awards (The EVAS) ceremony, the UK's largest awards dedicated to celebrating female entrepreneurs.

Sign up to our newsletter

For insights and events to help your business thrive.

In completing this form, you understand that Lancashire County Council (Boost) has a requirement to process your personal data. Lancashire County Council will only ever process your personal data where it has a clear lawful basis for doing so in full compliance with data protection legislation - UK GDPR and The Data Protection Act (2018). We will ensure the security and confidentiality of your personal data at all times. For full details of how Lancashire County Council handles your personal data please see our privacy notice here . Some information relating to this public funded project may be declared to third parties under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Funded by local govmt
Department for Trade and Business
Northern Powerhouse
Lancashire County Council

The website uses cookies.

Some are used for statistical purposes and others are set up by third party services. By clicking 'Accept all & close', you accept the use of cookies. For more information on how we use and manage cookies, please read our Cookie Policy.