Asda has announced it will introduce a permanent hybrid working model for its head office staff once social distancing restrictions in England are lifted to boost employee engagement.
According to the supermarket, the 4,000 employees at Asda House in Leeds and George House in Leicester, UK will move to a permanent hybrid working model called Work where it Works. The initiative will encourage them to choose the best location to do their job that day, whether it is from home, head office or an alternative location such as a store or depot.
As part of the scheme, staff will be expected to work from their head office location when they have tasks that are better suited to an office environment, such as team meetings, training and meeting with others. They also have the flexibility to work from home when it is more productive to do so, for tasks that involve planning or research.
In addition, there will be no set targets on the number of days head office employees work from a specific location, with them instead liaising with their teams and line managers to strike the right balance between home and office working, while ensuring the needs of the business is always at the forefront.
Jacki Simpson, Asda’s vice president of people operations, explained that the senior leadership team had learned a lot about working patterns during the past 16 months and seen employees work productively across different locations. She added that the team consulted with staff and knew they welcome the increased flexibility of remote working.
“However, [staff] also acknowledge there is some work that is simply better done from the office, so as we move forward a hybrid working model is the right approach for our people and the business. We believe this approach will help us attract and retain the best talent and will continue to position Asda as an employer of choice,” she said.
