Flexible Working

What is flexible working?

Working arrangements where employees have options in terms of working time, working location and the pattern of working

What are examples of flexible working?

• Part-time working:

  • Flexitime

  • Annual hours contracts

• Term-time working:

  • Career breaks

  • Mobile working

• Working from home:

  • Job sharing

  • Shift swapping

What is ‘gig economy’ and why has it become more popular?

• Significant rise in the extent of self-employment

• Firms in the Gig Economy have a more flexible operation, which is better able to match work with consumer demand

• Do flexible working options help businesses attract and retain employees compared with self-employment

What are the main benefits of flexible working?

• Cost- Potentially significant savings on fixed costs (e.g. less space) and lower recruitment and training (if labour retention improves)

• Higher job satisfaction and employee morale if employees who want to work flexibly are allowed to do so

• May attract more applicants for available jobs

• Better customer service- e.g. ability to offer 24/7 services

What are the drawbacks of flexible working?

• More complex to manage

• Investment required in technology and other support to make flexible working effective

• Potential impact on motivation from greater remote working (e.g. increased isolation, work/life balance)

• Loss of capacity/capability if key employees reduce their hours