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Guidelines for managers - flexible working

  1. Introduction
  2. Reduced hours
  3. Compressed hours working
  4. Varied hours
  5. Term-time only
  6. Working from home

Introduction

There are many different working practices and this guide has been compiled to help management when dealing with/processing flexible working requests.

It is acknowledged that not all options will be suited to all Schools/Units. Heads of Schools/Units should work together with Human Resources to agree local arrangements.

Reduced hours

Individuals who work full or part time may ask to reduce their hours.

Advantages

  • Can recruit another person to fill the remaining hours offering greater flexibility and greater range of skills.
  • Potential cost saving if the post can be undertaken in fewer hours.

Disadvantages

  • May be difficult to recruit cover if only a few hours available.
  • Gap in service if vacant hours cannot be filled.
  • Loss of specific expertise.

Compressed hours working

Compressed hours involves the reallocation of work time into fewer and longer blocks during the week. Generally the number of hours worked during the week will stay the same. Examples of compressed hours are to work 4 days a week or 9 days over a fortnight. This can be accommodated by starting work early, and/or finishing late, so that the member of staff builds up additional hours which can then be used to take a half day or full day from work.

Advantages

  • Can suit the operational needs of the School/Unit.

Disadvantages

  • If no cover, option may not be possible.
  • Staff may become tired working longer hours and, therefore, potentially less productive.

Varied hours

For full-time staff, the normal working week is 36.25 hours giving a notional working day of 7 hours and 15 minutes.

Staff may request to vary the time that they start and finish work on particular days or throughout the week.

Managers should consider, if any, which hours the member of staff can vary and also the hours, if any, that should be core hours, these being the times that the member of staff must be present and available for work (subject to routine authorised absences).

Term-time only

The member of staff would only work during term-time (either school terms or University semesters), taking unpaid leave during the holidays.

Advantages

  • Staff can spend time at home during the holidays.
  • Staff work at busier times, saving costs during holidays.

Disadvantages

  • Difficult option for any unit that is busy all year round.

Working from home

Home working may be considered if temporary circumstances arise that make it difficult for a member of staff to attend the University for the full working week e.g. if someone is unable to get to work because of an accident or injury.

It may be appropriate, in some instances, to allow a member of staff to work from home if they have an important piece of work to complete and require peace and quiet to do so. A formal agreement would not be required in this instance but the individual and their line manager should agree what the expected output is.

There are many issues to consider when organising home working. Advice on this issue should, therefore, be sought from Human Resources at the earliest opportunity.