Global talent acquisition and management specialist, Alexander Mann Solutions has counselled employers to review the way in which they engage with remote workers.

This comes after the CIPD published data in its Employee Outlook Spring 2017 report which found that one in three respondents (33 percent) felt they couldn’t switch off in their personal time while almost one in five (18 percent) said remote working makes them feel ‘under surveillance’. Commenting on the findings, Lisa Forrest, Global Head of Internal Talent Acquisition at Alexander Mann Solutions said; “The success of flexible working initiatives relies on effective employee engagement strategies. However too few organisations are currently ‘getting it right’ to the detriment of not only their employees but also their ongoing success. Failure to embrace flexible working risks alienating huge segments of the workforce – especially amongst the millennial population – and, as the CIPD’s figures demonstrate, can lead to disengagement and demotivation.”

“Companies must set and nurture flexible working policies from the beginning of the employment contract and review practices regularly with employees to ensure mutual understanding and satisfaction, and to foster wider organisational support. After all, these individuals are just as valuable as those based in the office and it’s the responsibility of employers to ensure they feel as though they are part of the business, even if they are not physically in the office.”

“The CIPD also found that almost half (42 percent) of those who work remotely feel it helps them to stay in control of their workload and over a third (37 percent) believe they are more productive when working from home – demonstrating the benefits effective flexible working can have on business and individuals alike . As the flexible working population increases, it is key that employers are better equipped to manage remote staff to ensure that employees enjoy these benefits without feeling pressurised, sidelined or disengaged.”