Ryan FowlerBSI, the business standards and improvement organisation, has launched an inquiry into how Covid-19 and hybrid working have shaped the experiences of young people who began their careers during or soon after the pandemic.
To mark five years since the first global lockdowns, BSI is inviting individuals and groups to contribute their experiences through a public call for evidence.
The inquiry is part of BSI’s Evolving Together series on the Future of Work and aims to explore how hybrid and remote working models have impacted job satisfaction, mental well-being, career progression, and earning potential for younger workers.
Kate Field, global head of human and social sustainability at BSI, commented: “As we approach five years since the pandemic fundamentally reshaped the working world, many questions abound. While individual organisations must find the structure that works for them, flexibility is increasingly central to the conversation. Hybrid structures are now the norm for some, but not for all and certainly not for all jobs.”
The study will also consider the experiences of workers in roles where hybrid or remote models are generally unavailable, such as healthcare, retail, and construction, and assess whether the shifts in working patterns have opened new opportunities for enhancing diversity and accessibility in recruitment.
Highlighting the importance of understanding these changes, Field added: “For those who started work as the world locked down, their experiences have necessarily been distinct to prior generations’. We believe it is critical to build greater understanding, so that they have the opportunity to flourish at work and help their businesses and the economy to grow.”
This inquiry builds on BSI’s ongoing research into workforce trends. Previous initiatives include studies on the Second Glass Ceiling, which explored why many women leave the workforce early, and the age-diverse workforce, which examined the challenges and benefits of having multiple generations working together.
BSI is also known for guiding businesses on health, safety, and well-being at work, including certifying organisations against occupational health and safety standards such as ISO 45001 and managing psychosocial risks under ISO 45003. Its Prioritizing People Model, published in 2021/22, outlined how a culture of care can boost employee engagement and productivity by addressing physical, psychological, and personal fulfilment needs.
To respond as an individual please complete this questionnaire or to respond on behalf of an organisation please complete this questionnaire.
