(Title Image: Senedd Cymru)
Economy & Infrastructure Committee
Remote Working (pdf)
Published: 10th March 2021
With the rapid increase in remote and home working arising as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Welsh Government has set an aim for 30% of the workforce to regularly work remotely or from home (though with seemingly no set timescale).
Amongst the possible benefits of remote working includes a contribution to the regeneration and repurposing of town centres as traditional high-street retail declines. This could take the form of “co-working hubs/shared workspaces” where employees work close to but not in their home.
This could all contribute to reductions in traffic, improved air quality, improved flexibility/ work-life balance etc. Home working (as opposed to remote working) may also improve the employment prospects of the disabled.
Cardiff University’s Prof. Alan Felstead believed the 30% aim is achievable, but will likely disproportionately benefit white-collar workers and high-skilled managerial staff than the average person in the street. Additionally, the Federation for Small Businesses thought it was right that 30% should remain an ambition rather than a hard target.
While there were potential positives from remote working, there were potential negative side effects too – notably increased social isolation and possibly stress caused by being away from social support networks.
There were conflicting views on whether home or remote working would increase or maintain average working days (as hours otherwise used for commuting are used to work). Working from home may also shift the burden of cost to the employee (heating/energy, internet etc.).
Other potential unintended consequences raised by witnesses include issues with access to high-speed broadband, an increase in house prices in rural areas caused by wealthy individuals looking for more space to home-work, the possible creation of a “two-tier workforce”, as well as trapping people in domestic violence situations which may become harder to pick up.
The Committee recommended the Welsh Government develops an official strategy for remote and home working. They also recommended a full impact assessment and that the Welsh Government sets out how it intends to use devolved powers to protect the rights of remote workers.
