Attracting and retaining top talent is essential for businesses to thrive in today’s competitive market. Flexible working options can help business owners increase job satisfaction, loyalty, wellbeing, and productivity among their employees. They also make companies more responsive to change, especially in a post-COVID-19 world.
By providing flexible working options that align with your business and employees’ needs, you can reap the rewards of a more engaged and productive workforce.
Here at Park City, we’re passionate about helping businesses make the most out of flexible working. We’ll be exploring the different ways you can arrange working hours to benefit both your company and your employees, as well as how to submit a request for flexible working options and what happens once it’s submitted. Let us provide you with tailored advice on optimizing your working practices!
Business owners have an opportunity to give their employees more control over their work-life balance by offering different types of flexible working requests. This can range from staggered hours, flexitime, part-time working, compressed hours, hybrid working or job sharing. All these options could provide a mutually beneficial situation for both parties and increase workplace productivity and engagement. But what exactly are they? Our HR team have explored some of these flexible working requests below.
What are different types of flexible working requests?
Staggered hours: This type of system allows employees some discretion to choose the times they start and finish work but within prescribed limits. Benefits include reducing large numbers of people travelling at peak times, groups of employees arriving and leaving together, and preventing gatherings in rest areas or queues.
Flexi time: This is an ideal solution for business owners who are looking to create a work environment that is engaging and allows their employees freedom in their working patterns. With flexitime, employees can pick when they start and end work each day within a core set of hours, like 10 am to 4 pm for example, while still meeting the needs of the business. This approach helps create an environment where workers feel empowered and appreciated, leading to higher engagement and productivity.
Part-time working: Part-time working is the perfect solution for business owners looking to create a great balance between work and home life. Reducing one’s hours often by working fewer days in a week can make all the difference, without having to sacrifice their career goals. It’s also an incredibly engaging option for employees, providing them with flexibility and control over their own schedules.
Compressed Hours: Compressed hours are the right solution for some employees who would like to engage in their professional life without compromising on the quality of work or sacrificing personal time. With Compressed hours, employees can reduce the number of days worked each week while still maintaining full-time hours, creating more time for other activities. This innovative approach to work enables employees to make the most out of their week and achieve a healthy work-life balance.
Job Sharing: Job sharing is a great way for business owners to engage their employees while simultaneously increasing efficiency. By allowing two or more people to share the responsibility of a job, companies can benefit from increased productivity and improved morale among their staff. Not only does job sharing reduce stress levels and improve working conditions, but it also helps businesses cut costs by ensuring that fewer resources are used in the process.
Hybrid Working: This is an effective and engaging way to ensure the success of your business. By allowing employees to work both remotely and from the office, while still ensuring that everyone is on the same page. To ensure that this model works for you and your customers, it’s important to tailor it to their individual needs and put effective communication in place. With careful planning, organisation and experimentation, hybrid working can be a great solution for any business owner.
So, now we have some options, let’s dive into how you manage the process of Flexible Working Requests.
Who can make a flexible working request?
An important aspect of creating a successful environment for your employees is the implementation of flexible working policies. All workers have the legal right to request changes to their hours and working arrangements, not just parents and carers. As an employer, it’s essential to take into account both the wellbeing of your team members and how any changes may affect the overall success of the business. You can create a workspace that works for everyone by engaging in discussions with your employees.
What should be included in the flexible working request?
Business owners who are looking to engage with their employees on flexible working requests should be sure to include all the necessary details.
When making a request it should always be in writing and dated, detailing the change they would like to their working pattern, when it should come into force, what effect the change might have on the business and how any potential effects can be managed. Additionally, it is important to note that this is a statutory flexible working request, and if the employee has made one before then this information must also be included.
What happens after an employee has made a flexible working request?
As an employer, you are obliged to respond to a statutory request for flexible working within three months of when the request is made. It is important that you take the time to carefully consider the request and provide a reasonable response within the time frame. If agreed with both parties, the time frame can be extended, and any refusal of the request can be based upcome one or more legally specified reasons.
How can Park City help your business?
At Park City, our HR Business Partners are prepared to support your business with any flexible working requests you may have. Our HR team will guide you through the process of putting together tailored policies and procedures that best suit the needs of your company, we can draft these policies for you if you don’t have time. Should an employee make a request for flexible work, we are here to provide assistance and expertise every step of the way. It’s our pleasure to be your trusted partner in navigating these unique situations!
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