The world of work is rapidly evolving – the changes we’ve seen in the last five years are just the beginning.

The ONS reports that, whilst the trend for working from home full time has fallen since 2021, a hybrid working model (part travelling to work and part at home) has become the ‘new normal’ for around a quarter of workers.

But is this the right approach for the housing sector when residents are calling out for more staff presence and the Regulator and Ombudsman are demanding a more joined up approach to delivering better services?

This event will explore current sector thinking on working practices and different approaches. We will look at what works best from both a customer and staff perspective and examine some of the tensions that flexible arrangements can bring for employers trying to deliver responsive, local services while being fair to staff.

We’ll also try to get ahead of the game by looking at future work models from other sectors.

What issues will be covered?

Working from home provides flexibility for many people with caring responsibility as well as significant savings in travel for those who used to commute regularly, but does it provide the service customers expect and need? How do you instil your culture and expectations around working practices for staff, especially new recruits, in a remote working or hybrid model?

For some roles, home working just isn’t an option. We need staff to be out and about on estates. How do you deal with the differences in effective pay and conditions?

We know recruitment is a challenge. It can be easier if you are looking for remote workers, but tenants want staff who know their neighbourhood and local area. Would you lose staff if you called them all back to the office?

HQN’s Leadership and Organisational Development lead Jane Atherton will chair this event exploring all these issues with highly regarded experts in the sector.

We’ll help you weigh up your options and reflect on what might work best for your organisation and the communities you serve.

Key sessions include:

• A review of the issues facing the sector arising from flexible working, working from home or asking everyone to come back in
• Sector experts discussing their challenges and how they are approaching solutions
• A legal update on workers’ rights for flexible working and other issues associated with hybrid arrangements.

Why attend?

• To keep up to date with developments in the sector
• Hear from others about what is working and what isn’t
• Keep up to date on legal developments
• Reflect on what arrangements might work best for you
• Ask experts in the field questions to help you address practical difficulties.

Essential for:

• Directors of HR/LAOD
• HR/LAOD teams
• Directors of Housing/Communities and Neighbourhoods
• Managers from across the business
• Heads of service.

Jane Atherton, Associate, HQN

Jane is an experienced Organisational Development (OD) professional. A Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, she has a proven track record in senior roles delivering strategic OD and HR. She is passionate about all things employee engagement and is proud to have supported businesses to achieve top spots in The Sunday Times Best 100 Companies to Work For, along with National Training Awards and Investors in People.

She became an independent consultant in 2018 and is an Associate of HQN.

She is also a Board member for Aspire Housing.

Richard Shwe, Director of Housing, Hammersmith and Fulham Council

Richard is a highly committed leader, with over 25 years’ experience in local government. He has been with Hammersmith and Fulham for four years, firstly in Environment and now as the Director of Housing.  Richard provided strong leadership for the housing service through the Housing Regulator and Housing Ombudsman investigations and has aided Hammersmith and Fulham’s journey of Service Improvement and Housing Transformation following on from recommendations from the Ombudsman.

Richard is now focussing on continuously improving the Repairs and Complaints handling in line with the Ombudsman recommendations, ensuring that H&F can provide the best service possible to residents whilst ensuring that the service is compliant with the new Consumer Standards.

Sam Greenhalgh, Partner, Birketts

Sam advises large companies, SMEs, charities and senior executives on all aspects of employment law including representing clients in employment tribunal claims. Sam has particular experience in advising on collective redundancy exercises and multi-claim employment tribunal litigation. Sam has wide experience advising clients in the food and beverage sector, transport and logistics sector, social housing sector and engineering and manufacturing sectors.

During his time at Birketts, Sam has developed the Shaping Excellence training division that delivers legal training to clients on all aspects of employment law and overseas training delivery and development within other disciplines across the firm.

Sarah Hutchinson, Director of People and Culture, Yorkshire Housing

10:30am Chair’s welcome and introductions

• Jane Atherton, Associate, HQN

10:35am Trends across the sector in working patterns and issues

• Jane Atherton, Associate, HQN

10:55am Hub, Home, Roam

• Sarah Hutchinson, Director of People and Culture, Yorkshire Housing

11:15am Meeting customer expectations – 24/7 services

• Richard Shwe, Director of Housing, Hammersmith and Fulham Council

11:35am Panel discussion and Q&A

• Jane Atherton, Associate, HQN

• Sarah Hutchinson Director of People and Culture, Yorkshire Housing

• Richard Shwe, Director of Housing, Hammersmith and Fulham Council

11:55am Break  

12:10pm Legal update

• Sam Greenhalgh, Partner, Birketts

1:10 pm Closing remarks

• Jane Atherton, Associate, HQN

1:15pm Close

If you are unable to attend an event or public training course, please let us know in writing (email is fine) at least 48 hours before. Please email [email protected]

Otherwise, a cancellation fee of £60 plus VAT will be chargeable.

If you are using a package place to attend and do not inform us within the agreed time frame, then a place will be taken to cover your non-attendance.

Cancellations must be made in writing and will be acknowledged by HQN Limited.

Cancellations must be made in writing and will be acknowledged by HQN Limited. Delegates may be substituted at any time.