Information for employees on how to make a statutory flexible working request
We recognise that flexible working can provide benefits to both employees and the Company and, as such, we aim to support staff where possible to manage the balance between work and home life.
We offer a flexible working approach in the workplace for all staff who have passed probation, providing they are fulfilling their responsibilities and assigned workloads.
Flexible working allows you to use this benefit in ways such as the following examples (providing you communicate this with your line manager beforehand):
- Adjusting starting/finishing times outside of our standard 8.30am-5pm 🕘
- Taking reasonable time out of the working day for personal errands, and making up the time elsewhere 📆
- Working from home up to 2 days a week and attending the office on 3 set days (see our WFH policy in our Employee Handbook - on pages 41/42). 🏠
📄Formal Flexible Working Requests📄
If you wish to formally change your working hours, number of hours worked, or the days you work from home, you have the right to make a statutory flexible working request.
Any requests to increase number of days spent working from home (e.g., more than 2 days per working week) will need to be submitted formally and will be considered on a case by case basis, taking into account the business reasons outlined in our Flexible Working policy.
❔How to make a formal flexible working request❔
You should put your flexible working request in writing, using our FWR form (available on the homepage of hub site).
- stating the date of the request, whether you have made any previous flexible working requests in the last 12 month period and the date of those requests
- Reason(s) for flexible working request
- Description of the change you would like to make to your working pattern
- Date you would like the change to start from
On receiving your completed FWR form, your manager and HR will hold a flexible working request meeting with you.🗣️
The purpose of this meeting is to discuss your flexible working request in more detail - we will talk about:
- The changes you are asking for
- The effects of the change on the organisation (if any)
- What we may be able to do to support your request
- If there are any other options you might consider
Following the meeting, we will send you an outcome letter, confirming the decision for your request. ✉️
We will always try to approve a flexible working request wherever possible. However, if the decision is to refuse your request then we will explain to you fully the reasons for this and you will have the right to appeal the decision.
For more information on our Flexible Working policy, please visit our Employee Handbook (pages 40/41).
💚Mental health/wellbeing resources💚
We'd also like to take this opportunity to remind you about the Mental Health/Wellbeing section of the Knowledge Hub. This includes our library of archived Wellbeing Wednesday posts - here you can find useful information & resources covering the key areas of health & wellbeing, to help you manage your mental health, maintain a good work/life balance, and feel your best self.