What is Flexible Working?

Flexible working takes many different forms, looking at How, Where and When we work, and is part of the options available to employers and employees when reviewing Work-life Balance.

The different strategies/policies should be developed to meet the needs of the business and the employee, taking into account when outputs and services are needed to be delivered by the business, and the needs of the employee to balance effectively their work and home responsibilities.

Many employers have found introducing flexible options has increased levels of productivity, improved staff retention, made savings on accommodation costs and made them a more attractive employer, enabling them to recruit the very best talent available. If flexible working options are implemented properly, it requires a mindset shift from attendance to output: results based upon what an employee actually delivers for customers, not the hours of work.

How much time we work

Job roles can be assessed to determine the demands of the business and the capacity of the employee, not all jobs have to be full time completed by one person, creative options include;

  • Full Time/ Part Time
  • Job Share
  • Part year
  • Term-time/school hols
  • Overtime/TOIL

When we work

Assessing when we work  and developing a flexible approach to a working day recognises the changing needs of the employee, the pressures that they have to balance inside and outside of work and focuses on the outputs required by the business rather than the time spent at work. It also enables business to access a wider employee market and attract employees who may not, for a variety of reasons, be able to work a traditional 9-5 working day.

Options include;

  • Flexible hours scheme
  • Compressed Hours
  • Annualised Hours
  • Shifts
  • Extra Hours
  • Shift swapping
  • Self Rostering
  • V time
  • Flexible Retirement

Where we work

The advances in technology and wide availability of broadband means that many people can now effectively work from anywhere. By reviewing the location of the role and where employees can work can  remove the need to travel, making them more productive, less stressed and happier, especially if they have family commitments. Through introducing options to work from home or remotely it has brought a noticeable effect on congestion and public transport, especially in major towns and cities, contributing to a positive effect on reducing environmental damage and potentially a saving on accommodation costs.

Options include:

  • Employer's premises
  • Home
  • Remotely
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