The survey formed the latest part of the Equality Impact Assessment that has been undertaken to determine whether the change to Dynamic Working has had any unintended impact on any particular group. There was a fantastic response to the survey with 990 people taking part. The headline results are as follows:

• 89% of respondents believe the implementation of Dynamic Working has been beneficial to the University
• 80% of staff are working dynamically and these staff spend an average of 58% of their time on campus
• 71% of staff felt that they were either more effective or much more effective in carrying out their role due to Dynamic Working
• Dynamic Working has offered flexibility and has resulted in improved work-life balance for many staff
• 97.8% of respondents (who expressed a view) feel that the University should continue to offer Dynamic Working arrangements.

In addition to the survey, several focus groups have taken place with members of different staff communities. We are pleased that we did not identify any examples where the Dynamic Working arrangements have negatively impacted staff groups with protected characteristics. Further reviews of Dynamic Working arrangements will ensure that the situation continues to be monitored.

The survey and focus groups have also helped to identify areas where further work is needed to manage the impact of Dynamic Working arrangements on our campus-based colleagues. There is a need to look at the impact of staff working more frequently away from campus including ways to ensure remote staff are fully contactable to deal with queries and how we cover roles such as fire wardens and first aiders to ensure these activities do not fall solely to campus-based staff.

Work is planned to address these and other concerns raised, and campus-based staff in particular will be engaged to consider how challenges might be addressed.

The survey and focus groups also generated a lot of positive comments about the benefits that Dynamic Working has brought. Here are just two examples:

“It has been easier to manage my long-term health condition because some days I am well enough to work but not well enough to travel into the office.”

"I’m more productive because I feel valued and trusted. Dynamic working allows me to work individually without distractions when I need to as well as being able to undertake group work when in the office or via teams.”

And finally, we need your help!

We are looking for teams where Dynamic Working is operating really effectively. The project team would like to come and talk to you, to hear directly about why it is making such a difference to your team and what it is that works well.

If you are willing to speak with us about what is working so well, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact Steve Harris, Change Team, Organisational Development.