Work the way you want to - flexible working
Could you benefit from changing your working hours?
Top Tips
- Research the benefits of flexible working to the business. Who else might benefit from you changing working arrangements?
- Do your homework and find the best working model to suit you and your employer.
- Don't forget about money. Calculate just what reduced hours might mean for your pay packet.
Topics in this section:
Return to top
What is flexible working?
Working flexibly is a way of organising your work to fit in with other parts of your life, such as family responsibilities. Opportunities for working outside the conventional nine to five have increased dramatically over the past few years, and many employers are prepared to consider the idea of flexible working.
Common flexible working options include:
- part-time work
- working half-time
- annualised hours- contracts state the number of hours to be worked in a year
- term-time working- allows you to have time off during school holidays
- compressed hours- also known as restructured hours, where the working week is reorganised so that the same amount of hours are worked in fewer days
- staggered hours- different starting, break and finishing times for employees in the same workplace
- job-sharing- where a job is shared between two people
- working from home
Some employers will allow staff to combine flexible working practices so that they can come up with an arrangement to suit them.
Discover what sort of work pattern might suit you.
Try out the Working Families interactive guide to flexible working.
Return to top
Do you have a right to work flexibly?
Anyone can ask to change their hours, but certain groups of employees have a legal right to request flexible working and for this to be considered seriously by employers.
These employees are people who:
- have a child under six or a disabled child under 18
- are responsible for a child as a parent/guardian/foster parent
- are applying to care for a child
- have worked for your employer for 26 weeks continuously before applying
Employers are legally obliged to consider a request to work flexibly if you fall into any of these categories, but they can reject if there's a good business case against it.
Find out more about flexible working and your rights
Return to top
How to request flexible working
You must give your employer details of the flexible working pattern you want, including the date you want to start. You're only allowed one application a year and any changes agreed will be permanent, unless you agree otherwise.
Get more information from employment relations experts
Acas.
Even if you don't fall into the groups who have a right to request flexible working, many employers are happy to consider requests from anyone. The procedures are the same. Prepare your case thoroughly and ask for a new work pattern by setting out clear arguments for it, from both your and your employer's points of view.
For help with building a case to work flexibly, go to
Direct Gov.
Return to top
How it works in practice
Employers' attitudes to flexible working vary dramatically and depend very much on the business they are in and the culture of the organisation.
One of Scotland's high profile companies, the Royal Bank of Scotland Group has thoroughly embraced flexible working. "The RBS group provides opportunities for people to request flexible working options and taking time off from work - 21 per cent of people across the group are now on flexible working arrangements ranging from part-time, to compressed hours and school term time working." says RBS.
Return to top
Assessing the benefits
If you're thinking about working flexibly, you'll need to consider:
- The work you do. The nature of your job may limit the amount you can change your hours.
- Money. Cutting back your hours could mean cutting back your pay.
Find out more about how flexible working can suit your needs at
Direct Gov.
Return to top
Finding a flexible job
When looking for a job that offers flexible hours:
- Consider the location. You won't want to waste time travelling.
- Target the sector. Many larger employers and public sector organisations have adopted flexible working practices.
- Include flexible working in your online job search. Most searches can be refined to find part-time or contract jobs as well as by industry, skills or location. Search for your perfect local job now.
- Think about using technology to work from home.
Return to top
