From 5 February 2024, we’re changing our approach to hybrid working and aligning our ways of working with Carnival UK for all of our UK based colleagues. Please read through the following FAQs to help you with any questions you may have.
If you have any further questions, please speak to your manager, your director/senior director, a member of the ELT or a member of the Services Team.
What are the new ways of working?
All UK based colleagues will be expected to be onsite for a minimum of three days a week.
When do they come into effect?
5 February 2024
What does onsite mean?
We know that working in Corporate Shipbuilding can mean travelling and working in other locations beyond Carnival House, including ships, shipyards and suppliers. Working at these locations will be counted as onsite and will therefore contribute to the three days a week requirement.
The key focus is about connecting and spending time with people face to face and less about the location in which you do that.
I’m on secondment to another location, does this new way of working apply to me?
No, this change does not apply to you. Although anyone who is on secondment should ensure that they are attending their ‘local’ office and/or ensuring they are collaborating with colleagues face to face wherever possible.
The 40/60 approach works well. Why are we changing it?
Whilst we know that some people have enjoyed the flexibility of the 40/60 approach, we also know through people’s comments that the office is generally ‘very quiet’ on most days and that there isn’t enough opportunity for face-to-face contact. Successful hybrid working means striking the right balance between in person and remote working.
As we look ahead and ready ourselves for future orders and the collaboration required to support the Corporation’s sustainability goals, we need to continue to evolve the way we work, to forge stronger relationships and come together more consistently. This change, in turn, will help us to continue to enhance our united ways of working.
Why are we stipulating a day when everyone has to be in?
A designated day where we all come together will help us to build an increased sense of community and belonging. Being able to connect in person on the same day means that we can easily plan the discussions, meetings and learning opportunities that are more effective face to face.
It also increases the opportunities for us to connect more informally across the business, helping us to build stronger connections with each other – particularly with colleagues we don’t often work closely with.
With the addition of more commuting time, isn’t this going to negatively impact productivity?
In-person work promotes cross-team communication, knowledge sharing, a faster exchange of ideas, increased opportunities for development and strengthened relationships. Fundamentally this change is about being more productive, not less.
Is this change a stepping stone towards us being back onsite full time?
We will continue to review the way we work on a regular basis and consider any adjustments in line with what is appropriate to meet our business needs.
With the cost-of-living crisis, why are we asking everyone to incur increased fuel and parking costs?For all jobs, there is often a cost associated with getting to and from work. With our city centre location, we have fantastic transport links and we’re also exploring greener and cost-effective ways for you to commute to work.
Carnival UK is looking into introducing a car parking app, in the near future, which will help to make the most of the free parking across our three sites. You’ll also be able to flex your working hours so you can plan your commute more easily.
I need a bit of time to sort out arrangements. Can I delay the start of moving to three days a week in the office?
We’re planning to move to our new ways of working on 5 February 2024, so that you have plenty of time to make arrangements and we align with our colleagues in Carnival UK and the sister brands based in Carnival House.
Carnival House has always been your contracted place of work (unless you’re a homeworker or have some other contractual agreement) and so we expect that your personal circumstances allow for you to attend the office when needed.
If there’s a reason why you may struggle to meet this date, please speak to your manager to discuss your circumstances.
Wednesday is a non-working day for me, does this mean I have to change my working pattern?
We have no expectation for colleagues to change their formally agreed working pattern. However, in the spirit of flexible working, you may on the odd occasion and with notice, be asked to swap your non-working day in order to carry out your role effectively. If you or someone you manage would like to change their non-working day on an ongoing basis, this should be managed through the formal flexible working process. Please speak to a member of the Services Team if you’d like any support with these discussions.
I’m part time, are the number of days I have to be onsite pro-rated?
We would like people to spend 60% of their time or a minimum of two days on site. We recommend that you spend three days on site if that’s possible, as it’ll help you to stay connected to your colleagues and feel included in activities taking part in Carnival House.
What if 60% equates to ‘part days’ – do I have to round up or round down?
You and your manager should agree what makes sense in terms of the requirements of your role. Just as an individual who works full time may on occasion be asked to work on site for more than the three-day minimum due to business needs, colleagues working part time also need to be flexible in line with the needs of the business.
While 60% of your time should be on site, this should never be less than the two-day minimum, unless you are contracted to work fewer than 14 hours per week.
What about emergencies? E.g., my boiler broke and won’t make my quota this week?
Life happens and we know that sometimes things happen that will force you to work remotely. Changes to your plans could impact others, so be open with your manager, your team and keep others informed.
What if I’m unwell – can I work remotely rather than on site?
Working remotely isn’t an alternative to sick leave. If you’re not feeling well enough to come into work and carry out your usual activities, then you need to take time out to rest and recover. You should speak to your manager to confirm that you’re unwell and unable to work and your manager will log your absence using myHR portal.
If I’m on holiday for two days in a week, do I still need to spend three days a week onsite?
As a minimum, we would like people to spend 60% of their time on site. We recommend that you spend three days on site if possible, as it’ll help you to stay connected to your colleagues and feel included in the activities taking part in Carnival house and enable an effective handover.
I have caring responsibilities – I’m not sure how this will work for me.
We’re retaining the ability to flex your working hours on any given day, to enable you to plan your commute around caring commitments, peak travel hours and the need to collaborate with other teams across the Corporation. Both formal and informal flexible working options are open for you to explore with your manager.
Can I put in a flexible working request to do fewer than three days a week on site?
Unless you were recruited as a homeworker, Carnival House is your contractual place of work. Any requests to do fewer than three days in the office will need to be clearly linked to a business outcome and formally agreed in line with the flexible working policy.
I can’t work from the office on the anchor day because of a specific reason. What do I do?
You’ll need to submit a formal flexible working request. Any requests must be clearly linked to a business outcome and be in line with the flexible working policy.
I have an agreement with my manager that sometimes I only come in one day a week. Does that still stand?
If you have an informal agreement, then you’ll now need to move to the new ways of working. If you have a formal agreement in place, then we have no expectation for you to change this. We do recommend that you and your manager review this agreement periodically to make sure that it’s right for you and the business.
I live a long way from the office – this change isn’t practical for me in terms of commuting time and/or travel/accommodation costs.
Unless you were recruited as a homeworker, Carnival House is your contractual place of work. Any requests to do fewer than three days in the office will need to be clearly linked to a business outcome and agreed in line with the formal flexible working policy.
Will I still need to book a desk? What do I do if there aren’t any available?
Desk booking is available and it’s your choice if you’d like to do this. Booking in advance means you’ll know that you have a desk on the days that you’re in Carnival House. There are lots of different types of workspace available, and we encourage you to adjust your location throughout the day to best suit the work you’re doing.
We encourage you to explore Carnival House and familiarise yourself with what’s new and available across the various floors, to make the most of the opportunities to collaborate.