Written by Janneke Elford, BuDS HR & Projects Manager
Due to the pandemic, a new era of remote working has provided greater chances for disabled workers, many of whom had previously been wrongly excluded from the workforce due to a lack of flexibility from employers.
One group in particular has been diligently advocating for flexible work: disabled and chronically ill people, who are frequently forced out of many jobs due to their employer’s inflexibility. Covid-19, on the other hand, has compelled many employers to try remote working, and they’ve discovered that it works.
“Being able to work flexibly is really useful as it means that people are able to work around their individual needs and ensures that employers are getting the best from their employees as they will be working at times which are best for them. As a disabled person, I have to attend quite a few hospital appointments and can have good and bad days, being able to work flexibly means I am able to attend many of these appointments and ensure that when I am working, I am doing so at times when I know I am able to be at my best. It also removes much of the stress of having to ask for time off.”
Phoebe Gibbons, former BuDS staff member and volunteer
This new way of working has shown that not only can employees work productively from home, but employers can now look at hiring a more diverse workforce due to lack of limitations on your place and hours of work. Achieving this shift isn’t complicated. It is vital that employers, bosses and leaders communicate with staff. It’s vital to trust employees to know what is best for them to be at their peak of productiveness. Employers and managers need to work collaboratively to ensure that flexible working is a win/win situation for both employee and employer.
Following the recent removal of Covid-19 precautions in the UK, there has been pushback from employers wanting staff to return to offices, this may now cause concern for those that are not confident in doing so. The Clinically or Extremely Clinically Vulnerable employees may not feel like returning to a ‘normal’ way of working is right for them. BuDS is actively advocating that employers adapt to the ‘new normal’ of hybrid and flexible working as we believe that this is the future of employment and a way in which you can create a more diverse and inclusive workplace.
Personally, working for BuDS has been an eye opener to say the least. The flexible working model BuDS have been working with since the beginning of the pandemic has been excellent and has supported a team of nearly 200 staff and volunteers. BuDS have no plans to require any staff or volunteers to work from a set base, we will be using a hybrid model for those that wish to come back into an office environment when it is safe to do so. This will be with precautions in place such as appropriate mask wearing, adequate space and HEPA Filters placed in the office.
If you wish to discuss any of the above with BuDS, please email enquiries@buds.org.uk for further information.
This is a personal blog by a BuDS volunteer/member or staff/supporter. The views expressed are personal and don’t necessarily represent those of BuDS or our Trustees