We’re looking to explore how modern working practices can ensure workforces, businesses and employees are equipped for future challenges. In the current context of coronavirus, it seems even more pertinent to understand how organisations are adapting, and what successes and challenges they are facing.

Chwarae Teg is undergoing work to understand the role that modern working practices (MWP) can play in ensuring workforces are equipped for the changing nature of work, and the challenges and opportunities that come with this change.

This work builds on our own research published in 2016, which explored modern working practices; the different types from flexible working to results only working; and the benefits of, and barriers to implementing modern working practices in Welsh workplaces.

Modern Working Practices are often cited as a solution to addressing some of the barriers women face in the workplace. Women still bear the brunt of child and elder care, meaning that they are often forced to compromise on finding work that reflects their skill or qualification level in favour of flexibility. Therefore, women are over-represented in part-time roles in Wales – 41% of women in Wales work part-time compared to 12% of men – and there are still a lack of senior roles on a part-time basis.

Our own work with businesses through Fair Play Employer and Agile Nation2 has supported businesses across Wales to implement modern working practices, which do not only support women, but the whole of the workforce.

Currently the benefits of modern working practices are on show more than ever. We can see how the ability for organisations to work on an agile basis allows them to protect their staff and clients. So within these unprecedented times, this work seems particularly pertinent.

We have seen many organisations and workplaces having to adapt to survive and fulfil their business needs, while protecting their staff and following Government guidance. For some, this move has been just another step on along a path they have been on for a while; of modernising, of doing things differently and adapting for the future. For others, this has been a sudden and disruptive move, forcing their hand when they were not prepared.

Whatever the reason, and whatever the stage organisations are at in this journey, we want to understand how modern working practices are working for employers across Wales.

This work is ongoing, and if you or your organisation has a story to tell about how you have adapted to working in an agile way, or implementing modern working practices, we would love to hear from you.

We are looking to find out:

• What modern working practices your workplace has implemented – have these been implemented recently or is it an ongoing process? And what prompted you to take this step?
• What benefits or impact have you seen for your organisation or workforce since implementing modern working practices?
• What have been the challenges to implementing modern working practices?
• If you’ve recently had to change your working patterns to respond to the current climate, how have you found transitioning to a more agile way of working?

You can contact Polly Winn on [email protected] to discuss the work and tell us your organisation’s story.