Equality Advice Centre 

 Flexible working practices  

There are a huge number of people that no longer wish to work in the fixed pattern of the workplace. Instead they want to work in ways which will allow them to balance work and the rest of their lives, maybe for children or devote more time to education or hobbies.

Flexible working practises cover a wide range of arrangements and benefit packages which employers use in their workplace. Some of the main ones are as follows:

• Flexi-time - People can choose the hours they work, vary the start and finish times of their day of work.
• Reduced hours working - Means working part-time.
• Time off in lieu - Any extra hours worked the employee can arrange with their manager a day off in the week.
• Staggered hours Allowing flexibility, so employees have different start, finish and break times, therefore providing extended cover throughout the day.
• Compressed working hours People work they're contracted hours over a shorter period of days, such as working 8.00 until 6.00 over 4 days instead of 5 days.
• Job share - Two people carry out the duties of a post usually filled by one person.
• Home working - Working from home full or part time, keeping in touch with the office by phone or computer.

Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages
• It can help organisations extend their opening hours. Therefore providing more of a tailored service for customers.
• Travelling can be cheaper and easier for travel outside the peak times.
• Other commitments can be arranged and fitted around the working day.
• If you stay later during busy periods, time can be taken off during quieter times.
• Makes it easier to accommodate personal needs, which can lead, to a reduction in one day absenteeism.
• Employers can make a reduction in overtime being worked.
• Can work more efficiently if you work in the office at the quiet ends of the day, when the telephone isn't ringing or less interruptions.

Disadvantages
• If you work long days this can lead to tiredness which will affect performance.
• It may lead to a reduced service to customers on particular days.
• Some schemes can be rather rigid with strict core times.
• Flexitime is difficult to apply to manual work, but flexi shifts, shift swapping and rostering could be an option.

Incorporating flexible working

Flexible work arrangements need to be mutually acceptable, so be prepared to work with your employee or employer to explore options which can meet the needs of both.

Once agreed, this should be recorded in writing and signed by both parties. The written agreement should include:

• the type of arrangement, including working hours and any possible variations,
• the length of time of the agreement,
• the classification of the position to which the agreement applies,
• any agreed right to return to traditional working arrangements, and
• any other issues the parties may wish to include.

If you are the employee you should receive from your supervisor or manager a response to your application in writing, with any reasons for declining an application. There is new legislation, which will make these requests easier for parents with children under 6 or children with disabilities under 18. (see new legislation)

Promoting flexible work practices

Inform your staff

• Make sure the staff are aware of availability and conditions of employment for flexible work arrangements (for example, full-time, part-time or job sharing).
• Include a brief statement in all job advertisements about the availability of flexible work practices.
• If your company has a specific policy on flexible work practices, distribute a copy to all job applicants.
• All induction courses should also include information about flexible work arrangements.
• Consider opportunities to redesign existing positions (as they become vacant) to promote part-time or job sharing opportunities).

Useful Contacts for Information and advice:

New Ways to Work - provides advice and information on flexi hours for employers and employees.
www.new-ways.co.uk Tel: 020 7253 5358

Home Office Partnership - Information and research on new ways of working.
www.hop.co.uk Tel. 01223 264485