Employees no longer want to go to the office full-time

Employers may not be able to wait to walk into a busy office again; most employees think otherwise. A FNV union poll of 5,300 members shows that only 10% want to return to the office full-time. Something for the works council to take into account when requesting assent on the homeworking policy.

From a poll from union FNV shows that only 10% of workers are want to work full-time in the office again. The vast majority (70%) would prefer to work hybrid (that is, partly in the office and partly from home) and 20% would prefer to work only from home. FNV members also view working from home more positively than last year. Now 78% say they like working from home, compared to 66% last year. Also, 30% say they experience no or too little say in where work takes place. As many as 63% think there should be a legal right to work from home so that employees have more say. FNV conducted the poll among 5,300 members from the financial sector, business services and (municipal) governments who have the option of working from home.

OR best to consult constituency before council agrees

The Works Council has a right of consent in the case of a home working arrangement. This falls under an arrangement for working conditions (Article 27, paragraph 1d of the Works Councils Act). Before the OR considers such a request for consent, it is smart to consult the constituency. The Works Council can then take stock of the wishes and needs of its members and discuss them with the director. There are, however, a number of points of attention for the OR when consulting its members.

Works council must look after the interests of both constituency and organization

The manager would be wise to take the wishes of employees into account. After all, employee satisfaction often translates into higher motivation and lower absenteeism. Does the policy that the director has in mind has very much depended on what if the employees want a change, the works council is faced with the challenge of representing the interests of both the employees and the organization during consultation with the director. It is then particularly important for the Works Council to examine whether the intended goals of the director can also be realized with alternatives that are better suited to the needs of the supporters. It is also important cons eliminate or limit as much as possible.

OR must carefully balance different interests

The Works Council must carefully weigh the various interests and goals and the pros and cons. In the director's opinion, what is the added value of working in the office? Does working in the office provide More bonding with the organization and with colleagues? Can this be achieved even with fewer office days? An often heard and important benefit from working from home is a better work-life balance for employees. In addition, it can save the manager money by reducing the need for office space. A flexible home-working arrangement also allows the organization to present itself as an attractive employer, making employees happy to (continue to) work there and making vacancies easier to fill.