Only half of all companies in Belgium have clear agreements regarding teleworking, according to a recent study conducted by Professor Anja van den Broeck from KU Leuven and HR service provider Tempo-Team.
The research revealed that while the number of people occasionally working from home has increased by 30-40% since the start of the pandemic, concrete agreements for flexible teleworking arrangements are still lacking in many workplaces.
The study surveyed employees and found that around 40% of them feel that their management does not pay enough attention to their needs when it comes to teleworking. 60% expressed a desire for better alignment between their home working days and their personal lives, and 50% wished for more flexibility in scheduling their work-from-home days.
Need for clear teleworking agreements
The importance of clear agreements between employers and employees is evident, as the study found that barely one in four cases involve direct agreements between the employee and their manager. This lack of clarity extends to agreements between colleagues as well. Only one in five employees who work from home reported meeting with colleagues when they come to the office.
Moreover, 30% have fixed office days without coordination with their colleagues, and a similar number choose their work-from-home days without consulting their team.
To address these issues and ensure productive cooperation between employees, the study emphasised the need for a structured teleworking policy that works in both directions. Such policies should encourage in-person collaboration in the office while accommodating the flexibility needs of employees.
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Interestingly, a separate survey conducted by HR service provider Acerta showed a growing popularity of teleworking among both employers and employees in Belgium. The study revealed that 27% of workers choose to work from home for more than half of the week.
The positive view towards teleworking is attributed to changes in leadership models since the pandemic. Employers have been successful in ensuring their employees remain engaged and connected while working from home.
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However, the study also pointed out that the high cost of energy bills associated with remote work could potentially reduce the number of employees working from home; some workers have already started returning to the office due to concerns about rising energy expenses.
While teleworking has gained popularity and acceptance among Belgian employers and employees, there is still a need for more structured agreements between employers and employees as well as among colleagues. A comprehensive teleworking policy that balances the needs of both parties is crucial for the success of remote work arrangements.
