UCU: Working from home culture and cost

Motion

Motion text: Congress notes many staff are now working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. We recognise the costs attached to providing safe, well lit, heated workspaces and the increase in utilities bills for many.
Congress further notes:
1. Proposals to introduce hybrid working from home models indefinitely in many institutions
2. Without local agreements in place staff working from home are at risk of new modes of ‘distanced micromanagement’, including:
– unrealistic management expectations and dangerous workloads
– further erosion or eradication of work / home life balance
– detriment from inadequate equipment provision

3 For some staff homeworking may be inappropriate because of the nature of their work or their housing, personal circumstances or preference.
Congress resolves that UCU should:
a. Develop and publicise local bargaining guidance on WFH culture
b. Support all branches to negotiate, using this guidance, as a priority
c. Ensure that WFH agreements also preserve the right to work on employer premises with appropriate office accommodation
d. To provide guidance and support to all branches to negotiate WFH utilities payments and provision of necessary equipment and furniture
e. Further develop bargaining and campaigning guidance to ensure all staff, including ARPS, are protected from detriment when critiquing their employer.