The Flexible and Hybrid Working Conference 2023: Creating a Supportive and Inclusive Workplace

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, hybrid and flexible working has come to transform workplaces across the public sector. Even with restrictions lifted, it seems that hybrid working is here to stay, as the number of hybrid workers continues to rise. Data from the Office for National Statistics reveals that from February 2022 to May 2022, the proportion of workers hybrid workers rose from 13% to 24%. With workers becoming more inclined to work from home, the public sector needs to explore ways to create more inclusive, flexible working environments that retain staff, maximise productivity and increase job satisfaction.

• According to CIPD, around 87% of people want to work flexibly, but only 11% of jobs are advertised as being flexible
• In a report by The Open University, it was found that 29% of respondents were prevented from taking up training because of inflexible hours
• 73% of public sector employees are more likely to stay in a job that allowed remote or hybrid working options (The Open University, 2022)

Why Attend: 

✓ High-level keynotes on the latest initiatives in flexible and hybrid working from leading experts and policymakers
✓ Case studies showcasing best practice in promoting mental wellbeing for remote workers
✓ A wide range of topics including monitoring and imrpving productivity and performance of hybrid workers, supporting managers in conflict resolution and helping staff return from long-term leave
✓ Network with senior colleagues from across the public sector
✓ CPD (gain 4 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota)

NEW AND EXCLUSIVE TO YOUR CONFERENCE PACKAGE – GE Insights:

This year’s conference package includes 12-months FREE access to GE Insights, our cross-sector learning resource of case study focused videos, articles, lived experiences and more (RRP £199). Gain unlimited access to our online platform when you purchase your conference ticket.

Key benefits include:

 ✓100s of Exclusive Case Studies – fingertip access to videos and articles covering all key sectors including HR & Employment, and ALL CPD certified

 ✓Key Sessions from All Our Conferences – gain valuable insights from our past, present, and future events (160+ pa)

 ✓Articles and Interviews – learn from our network of expert speakers and contributors explore further the key discussions from the conferences

 ✓Additional CPD Hours – automatically earn more for everything you watch, read, and hear

 ✓Your Own CPD Dashboard – charts your progress, allows you to add notes, download your activities, and save/print an official CPD certificate

 ✓Personalised Homepage – only see the relevant content you need to save time

 ✓30+ New Uploads Each Month – we’re adding new content every week to ensure you stay engaged and informed all year round.

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

• 09.00

  Online Registration

• 09.30

  Chair’s Opening Remarks

  Dr Helen Hughes, Associate Professor, Leeds University Business School (CONFIRMED)

• 09.40

  Keynote: Flexible and Hybrid Working: Policy Updates and Best Practice

  • Outlining the latest legislation surrounding flexible and hybrid working: ‘Making Flexible Working the Default’ and the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill
  • Sharing best practice on how flexible and hybrid working can help create an inclusive working environment
  • Practical advice on making flexible working work: engaging with staff, role analysis and flexible job design, measuring take-up and benefits, and role modelling

  Joanne Waterworth, Head of Employer Services, Working Families (CONFIRMED)

• 10.00

  Keynote: Improving Flexible Work Cultures Within Organisations 

  • Outlining recent trends in flexible working: the legislative context and workplace practices
  • Tips for gaining senior leadership buy-in to flexible and hybrid working
  • Upskilling line managers to confidently lead hybrid teams to perform at their best
  • Maintaining open conversations with individuals about their working preferences to ensure they feel valued and supported

  Kirsty Watt, Director of Strategy and External Affairs, ACAS (CONFIRM)

• 10.20

  Case Study: Developing Flexible Working Opportunities to Create an Inclusive Workplace Culture and Increase Staff Retention

  • Creating initiatives to better engage with and understand the different needs of your workforce and how to accommodate them
  • Building a retention action plan informed by employee feedback to increase staff satisfaction and decrease turnover rates
  • Investigating alternative measures to ensure flexible working is accessible across all roles
  • Advice on fulfilling employer duties to look after the safety and wellbeing of, and provide the right resources to support, staff working from home

  Raffaela Goodby, Chief People Officer, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust (CONFIRMED)

• 10.40

  Questions and Answers

• 11.00

  Comfort Break

• 11.20

  Breakout Networking: Engaging With Staff to Shape the Workplace According to Their Needs

  This session will provide you with the opportunity to discuss the main challenges you face in engaging and communicating with staff to reshape the workplace according to their needs. Gain the opportunity to discuss innovative flexible working approaches with senior leaders from across the public sector.

• 11.50

  Case Study: Supporting Staff Returning to Work After Parental Leave or Long-Term Absence

  • Guidance on developing a Return to Work Plan to inform staff of their rights and set expectations around attendance and timescales
  • Advice on organising a phased return to work for staff after extended absences to ease them back into the workplace
  • Raising awareness of perinatal mental health and upskilling managers to support their employees who may experience perinatal issues
  • Maintaining regular contact with individuals during periods of long-term absence to support them and understand their needs upon return to work

  Anna Rickards, Detective Inspector, Greater Manchester Police, Chair, The Association for Women in Policing (CONFIRMED)

• 12.10

  Questions and Answers 

• 12.20

  Case Study: Promoting Mental Wellbeing to Support Remote Workers and Prevent Burnout

  • Top tips for supporting employees to achieve a healthy work-life balance whilst working remotely
  • Advice on encouraging virtual connections between colleagues to promote teamwork and collaboration when working remotely
  • Developing toolkits and resources to help staff adjust to working remotely and maintain an optimal level of wellbeing
  • Providing training to help managers monitor the wellbeing and workload of colleagues working remotely
  • Ensuring mechanisms are in place to provide additional mental health support to employees who may need it

  Lisa Freshwater, Director of Organisational Effectiveness, Blood Cancer UK (CONFIRMED)

• 12.40

  Questions and Answers 

• 12.50

  Chair’s Closing Remarks

  *programme subject to change without notice

Who Should Attend?

This Conference is open to Public, Private and Third Sectors.

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

We are now taking bookings for our wide range of sponsorship and exhibition packages; we also offer bespoke packages tailored for your organisation.

Why Sponsor and Exhibit at this event:

✓ Network with key decision makers
✓ Meet your target audience in the Sector
✓ Listen and Learn from leading industry experts across the Sector
✓ Opportunity to demonstrate your products or services
✓ Speak alongside industry leading experts
✓ Work with your dedicated account manager to generate the maximum amount of leads

Exhibition and Sponsorship Packages:

Strategic Headline Sponsor:

• 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
• 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
• Pre show marketing email to all registered delegates
• Post show inclusion on presentation email
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• A4 Insert or A4 Chair Drop
• 5 Delegate Conference Passes
• 1 Speaker Pass

Key Supporter Package:

• 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• A4 Insert or Chair Drop
• 1 Speaker Pass
• 2 Delegate Conference Passes

Exhibition Stand:

• 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
• Power, Wifi, Table and 2 Chairs (If required)
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• 2 Delegate Conference Passes
• 1 Stand Manager Pass

Insert or Chair Drop:

• 1 Delegate Conference Pass
• A4 insert into delegate pack or A4 Chair Drop

For more information or to discuss your requirements, please contact the team on 0330 0584 285, or sponsorship@governmentevents.co.uk or complete our enquiry form and we will contact you.

• Public Sector: £260.00+VAT
• Voluntary Sector: £260.00+VAT
• Private Sector: £425.00+VAT