Adaptive Working

Adaptive Working Framework

Adaptive working is about enabling a high-performing, flexible, and responsive work culture where the place, time, and manner of working are tailored to the specific work activity. This approach ensures that the working environment, including both physical and social surroundings, supports employees to perform at their best and meet the university's evolving needs.

In addition, adaptive working involves intentionally designing workspaces to support a range of activities and disciplines, providing the right environment for meaningful in-person connections and effective collaboration. This includes ensuring that employees have access to the necessary equipment and resources from their first day at the university.

Adaptive working encompasses different modes of working such as site-based, remote or hybrid working. It is a broad framework within which all staff can operate effectively according to their role. Some people will have roles where the work requires the individual to be on site all of the time, whilst for others, a variable approach between on site and remote working will achieve the best results.

Our Adaptive Working Framework describes 4 main modes of working:

Working Together, Together - a group of people working collaboratively around a large desk.
Working Alone, Together - a group of people working at their own desks in an office.
Working Together, Apart - a person working with colleagues remotely using a computer.
Working Alone, Apart - a person working remotely by themselves.

Adaptive Working recognises the importance of working together in the same space, collaborating, building relationships and sharing ideas. This is particularly important when we have new colleagues in the team, to foster a sense of belonging, aid organisational awareness and build relationships.

Adaptive Working recognises that while we may work together when co-located, we may also work alone even when seated together. A large number or our colleagues may be working on their own delivery objectives but in proximity of colleagues, with all the benefits of connection, peer to peer learning and collaboration that can bring.

Adaptive Working recognises that we do not always need to be in the same location to work together, such as working collaboratively on documents digitally, or meeting virtually from different locations. Teams that collaborate intentionally increase their awareness of how different working approaches can be applied at different times to complement activity.

Adaptive Working recognises that in certain work contexts or circumstances we may need to protect our environment from distractions to enable productivity and creativity. This is where working alone and apart may be the right approach. When working this way, it is important to remain mindful of retaining connection to the team and the University.

The framework keeps our commitment to high performance at the heart of the agreements, acknowledging that arrangements need to balance what works best in light of the work itself, the team and the individual.

If you want to work specific days at home on a regular basis, you will need to submit a flexible working request.