One of the main challenges of hybrid working has been utilising office space. Some councils were already making technological changes to using new software such as the cloud, which allowed for a smoother transition, to complete remote working. This left offices vacant and likely to end up being sold or turned into community hubs. This has been seen as an advantage for some to reduce the maintenance costs for councils especially with increasing energy costs. There are questions around what the impact will be for the local high street and conversations around the need for social spaces are being had.
Other councils have introduced smarter working policies, such as using an app or booking services, to manage the capacity of office space. This helps employees decide what day is best to use the office, depending on their meeting schedules. There has also been the introduction of a leadership hubs where members, heads of services and corporate leadership teams have an open-plan area to use for meetings across the organisation, not just in vertical teams. Some councils are aiming to reduce their carbon footprint through using hubs across the community rather than centralised offices.
There has been resistance from senior leadership to allow important conversations to take place remotely. This poses the challenge and the question, if office spaces are being reduced, then can colleagues guarantee availability for larger meeting spaces?
Another challenge of hybrid working is maintaining a healthy work/life balance. Councils wish to encourage employees to take breaks, and some have introduced a protective hour policy.
Employees often experience back-to-back meetings, so councils are making a conscious effort to remind colleagues to take breaks and build in support initiatives. It has been expressed that there is less opportunity to casually converse with colleagues, it is hard to quantify the effects of this but it has anecdotally impacted engagement levels especially for new starters.
There is concern over the rising cost of living and employees spending more time at home than in the office, which will increase overall electric bills. This could be especially concerning during the winter months, as there is a further anticipated spike in energy costs. Councils are beginning to consider how to support employees through this, and whether the rising energy costs will work out as cheaper than travel costs.