Matheson recently hosted a webinar on the key employment themes that we expect to dominate in the coming year. During the webinar, we conducted a survey amongst the 200 plus participants on a short series of questions relating to topical issues such as the gradual return to work for employees, family leave entitlements, the right to disconnect and whistleblowing. The main findings of the survey are outlined below.

The results of the survey demonstrate the uncertainties surrounding a return to the workplace with one of the main concerns being how employers will appropriately manage that return. 52% of participants expressed concern with how a refusal by an employee to attend the office will be dealt with. This is a concern which is now even more prevalent following the Government's announcement for a phased return of employees to the workplace without any clear guidance on how this can be achieved. We understand however that a revised return to work protocol being published by the Government is imminent which will hopefully give employers some additional comfort and guidance in managing the initial return to the workplace.

While 33% of participants confirmed their concerns with managing a remote hybrid workforce, this is a challenge that employers will likely have no choice but to seek to overcome. It is expected that a degree of flexibility around remote working will remain for employees with the Government recently confirming that draft legislation relating to the right...

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