Reed Screening is proud to be featured in a People Management article titled "CIPD collaborates with leadership and hiring institutes to launch ‘future of management’ guidance in parliament," alongside the CIPD, Better Hiring Institute (BHI), and Chartered Management Institute (CMI). This recognition underscores our commitment to advancing modern hiring and management practices.
In a ground-breaking collaboration, Reed Screening, the CIPD, Better Hiring Institute (BHI), and Chartered Management Institute (CMI) have joined forces with parliamentarians and industry leaders to launch new guidance entitled Future of Management for our Future of Work. This free resource is designed to help UK employers and recruitment agencies navigate the complexities of modern hiring and management in an era increasingly defined by hybrid and remote working.
Our goal is to ensure the UK can make the most of this opportunity to create human-centred jobs that are flexible and remote while boosting productivity
Head of Engagement at Reed Screening
Navigating the new work environment
The guidance comes in response to the seismic shift in working practices following the Covid-19 pandemic, with hybrid working becoming a cornerstone of many modern workplaces. This shift has raised important questions about the impact of hybrid work on employee wellbeing and organisational efficiency.
Ben Willmott, head of public policy at the CIPD, emphasised the inclusive potential of hybrid working: “Well-managed hybrid working can support those with caregiving responsibilities, disabilities, or long-term health conditions. Employers that provide staff access to different forms of flexible working, including hybrid, will be much better placed to attract and retain the employees they need.” Willmott also highlighted that such practices not only improve business performance but also enable individuals across the UK to access better-paid employment opportunities.
Hybrid working as a productivity booster
The report underscores that remote and hybrid working are not just trends but long-term strategies to reduce worklessness, improve productivity, and drive economic growth. Reed Screening and the BHI have collaborated with the UK government to develop best practice guidance as part of the UK National Hiring Framework.
Lee Barron MP, chair of the Modernising Employment All-Party Parliamentary Group, highlighted the transformative potential of hybrid work: “Hybrid and remote working have provided opportunities, pushed jobs out into the regions, and made work more family friendly.” He stressed the need for businesses to adapt to fully realise these benefits: “To really deliver those benefits, while driving growth and productivity, it’s critical that we, and our businesses across the UK, develop modern management for this new world of work.”
Preparing managers for modern work
Keith Rosser, chair of the Better Hiring Institute, emphasized the need for balanced approaches to modern working arrangements. After years of working with the government to enable more flexible, hybrid working, he noted the importance of supporting managers to maximise productivity while meeting the needs of employees adapting to these flexible working styles. “By developing greater flexibility and productivity, we can help grow the UK economy,” he added.
However, managing a flexible workforce presents unique challenges, including maintaining productivity and team cohesion. Petra Wilton, director of policy and external affairs at the CMI, highlighted the need for robust management training. “Employers that offer well-conceived flexible working policies will both attract and retain the best talent,” she said.
Research from the CMI indicated that access to high-quality training is essential for equipping managers with the skills to lead hybrid and remote teams effectively. “Managing a flexible workforce requires specific skills,” explained Wilton, pointing to the importance of investing in these capabilities to adapt to modern working practices.
Embracing digital hiring practices
Reed Screening’s contribution to the guidance highlights the growing importance of digital hiring. Corinne Peart, Head of Engagement at Reed Screening, explained that the organisation worked with the Home Office to implement digital right-to-work processes, emphasizing the potential of technology to drive productivity and economic growth. “Our goal is to ensure the UK can make the most of this opportunity to create human-centred jobs that are flexible and remote while boosting productivity” Peart explained.
What the guidance includes:
The Future of Management for our Future of Work guidance provides comprehensive strategies and best practices for modern management, including:
Flexible working policies: Guidelines on implementing and managing hybrid and remote working arrangements.
Manager training programs: Resources for developing the skills necessary to lead flexible teams effectively.
Digital hiring processes: Best practices for leveraging technology in recruitment and onboarding.
Employee wellbeing: Strategies to support the mental and physical health of a diverse workforce.
Productivity enhancement: Techniques to maintain and boost productivity in a hybrid work environment.
The Future of Management for our Future of Work guidance represents a significant step forward in adapting to the evolving work landscape. By embracing hybrid and remote working, and equipping managers with the necessary skills, UK businesses can enhance productivity, support employee wellbeing, and drive economic growth. This collaborative effort underscores the importance of modern management practices in navigating the future of work.
Ready to learn about the future of your management practices? Download the ‘future of management for our future of work’ guide today prepare yourself with the tools and strategies needed to manage the future of work.