| Flexible working is becoming popular in the 21st century | | | | basis. |
| workplace, as an increasing number of people seek to | | | | How do I handle a flexible working request? |
| combine an active family life with full-time employment. | | | | Just like any other negotiation with your employees, it is |
| Employers have become more aware of the benefits | | | | important to follow the correct legal process when |
| that flexible working can bring to their business: these | | | | handling an application for flexible working. Failure to do |
| can include greater staff retention and better morale | | | | so could leave you vulnerable to litigation, so make |
| along with increased efficiency and productivity. Indeed, | | | | sure you draw up proper legal documents and follow |
| for many global businesses some kind of flexible | | | | a clear procedure when considering flexible working |
| working policy is becoming essential for co-ordinating | | | | for a member of staff. |
| with their international offices, and recent changes in | | | | As part of your flexible working policy, make sure that |
| legislation have significantly increased the number of | | | | the employee puts in a written request clearly stating |
| people with a legal right to apply for flexible working. | | | | their reasons and the kind of flexible working that they |
| Who has the right to apply? | | | | would like to apply for. You should deliver a first reply |
| Any employee can apply informally and ask for flexible | | | | within 14 days. If you approve their application, you |
| working hours; whether or not you approve an informal | | | | should inform them in writing and draw up a revised |
| request like this is entirely down to your company's | | | | contract of employment. If they are going to work |
| flexible working policy. But only two kinds of people | | | | from home, you need to agree how their work will be |
| have a legal right to apply: employees with young or | | | | monitored e.g. through daily task lists and timesheets, |
| disabled children, and employees who are caring for | | | | weekly meetings, and so on. |
| infirm or disabled adults. Currently, parents with children | | | | You can reject an application for flexible working, but |
| aged six or under have the right to apply, but from | | | | you must provide an explanation, based on a sound |
| April 2009, this right will be extended to parents with | | | | business reason, and give your employee the right to |
| children who are sixteen or under. | | | | appeal your decision. Rejections need to be judged |
| An employee must have been working for a company | | | | carefully - your employee may well consider working |
| for at least 26 weeks before they can apply for | | | | somewhere else if you reject their request completely. |
| flexible working. For those with a legal right to apply, | | | | See if a compromise can be reached, or if there is |
| only one application can be made every 12 months. | | | | another flexible working option that may be |
| What are some of the options for flexible working? | | | | appropriate. |
| There are numerous flexible working options, and it is | | | | Useful legal documents |
| important to consider which of them can practically be | | | | It is very useful to have a written company policy on |
| applied for your business. Some of the most common | | | | flexible working, outlining under what circumstances |
| are: | | | | flexible working will be considered, whether any |
| - Flexible hours. An employee works full or part time | | | | particular positions will be exempt, and so on and so |
| hours, but when these hours are worked is fully | | | | forth. This will give you something to refer to in case |
| negotiable. An employee could start and finish two | | | | of a dispute, and will also be useful to your staff. You |
| hours later than usual, for example. | | | | may also wish consider some letter templates for |
| -Zero hours contract. A contract that has no fixed | | | | certain legal documents, such as a range of flexible |
| hours. The employee works only when there are | | | | working contracts. |
| specific tasks to complete. | | | | Flexible working can seem difficult to implement |
| -Work from home. An arrangement where an | | | | correctly, but as long as there is clear procedure and |
| employee works partly or fully from home. | | | | consistent company policy, it can bring great benefits |
| -Job Share. The full time role of a single employee is | | | | for employees and the business alike. |
| shared between two or more people on a part time | | | | |