At People Lab, we’ve always supported flexible working. In fact, we understand that giving employees the decision to choose their working pattern can play a key role in successful employee engagement. Employees feel trusted by their managers if they’re allowed to organise their own schedule, because it proves that the company doesn’t immediately assume they’re slacking just because they’re working from home.
As we’ve noted in recent articles, all employees in the UK who have been employed by their organisation for 6 months or more will have the right to request flexible working arrangements. This legislative change will occur on 30th June 2014 – so it’s time for us all to start thinking seriously about our future working arrangements.
[box]All companies and employers will have a legal duty to respond to the requests of employees on flexible working. So, with that in mind, we want to know your #toptips for flexible working![/box]
We believe it’s important that, once the changes take place, companies and employers are well equipped to make a success of flexible working. It’s not just about meeting the requests of your employees – it’s about creating successful, sustainable working patterns that benefit employers and employees alike.
What’s your #toptip for flexible working?
Have you worked flexibly in the past, or managed people that have? Perhaps your entire team works remotely, or you’re currently experimenting with different working patterns? If so, we want to hear from YOU.
We’re putting together an ebook that’ll be jam-packed with tips, techniques & ideas on flexible working. The ebook will be a compilation of contributions from around the globe, and we’ll be sharing it for FREE when it’s finished.
We’d love to gather as many great and useful tips as we can, to ensure that you’re feeling inspired and well equipped to begin working flexibly. If you’ve got a tip that you’d like to add to the collection, simply email info@peoplelab.co.uk, answering the following question:
What’s your #toptip for flexible working?
All ideas and suggestions are welcome, so please don’t hesitate to send your tips our way. We’ll keep the conversation going via social media after the book has been published, with the hashtag #toptips. You can also tweet us at @peoplelab, or leave your tips on our Linked In page.
Please send your tips to us by 20th June, to ensure they’re included in the final version. We can’t wait to read them!
Resources
Before the changes take place, it’s a good idea to do your homework and understand what flexible working could mean for you. We wrote an article on this recently, explaining what the changes mean and how you can go about approaching your manager with your request – read the article here.
It’s also useful to spend a few minutes researching the different types of flexible working. Some people might find that working from home one day each week creates a stronger work/life balance; others may find than compressed hours, part time hours or switching to a job share is best for them. Take a look at GOV.UK for a simple break down of the typical types of flexible working.
