There are more than 300 ways to work flexibly – here are four tips to make it work for you

Do you know that, based on a current examine, there are greater than 300 methods to work flexibly? The listing of doable versatile work practices utilized by an more and more numerous and ageing workforce has grown considerably since many individuals have been pressured to make money working from home throughout COVID lockdowns.

Earlier than the pandemic, you might have related versatile work with issues like working from residence, part-time work or decreased hours. Now? You may work a compressed week or decreased hours, job share, or take flexi time or particular go away, reminiscent of a sabbatical. There are additionally location-based types of flexibility, like flex-place and hybrid working.

Typically talking, a versatile work association refers to any form of schedule or work area with out the standard constraints of a standard 9-5 work association in an workplace or different location hosted by your employer.

The current enhance in versatile working practices brings advantages for each employers and staff. When completed correctly, work flexibility makes lives simpler for a lot of staff, improves their job satisfaction and reduces absenteeism and commute-related stress. For employers, it will increase their capability to draw, retain, and inspire staff, boosts variety and inclusion, and is related to decrease overhead prices and even carbon emissions.

However not all versatile working preparations are created equal. The elevated autonomy that flexibility brings can blur the boundaries between work and personal life. Working flexibly may end up in longer working days or create the expectation of staff being obtainable always, which may improve emotions of labor stress and even result in burnout.

Our analysis exhibits that flexibility rules and frameworks on the nationwide stage assist create the “guidelines of the sport” for versatile work preparations, in essence making certain that versatile work doesn’t turn into (self) exploitative.

Is flexibility the brand new norm?

The COVID pandemic may need just about expanded the provision of versatile work preparations, however this doesn’t imply that they’re accessible to everybody. Our analysis means that entry to flexibility continues to rely closely on a rustic’s employment relations, insurance policies, and rules – parts which might be quickly altering in lots of nations.

Some nations are introducing new rules to maintain tempo with the sweeping modifications to post-pandemic work practices. In 2024, for instance, the Employment Relations (Versatile Working) invoice is more likely to come into impact within the UK. It should improve the variety of instances an worker can request versatile working every year and cut back employers’ determination interval about such functions. Collective bargaining between commerce unions and employers can supply an vital further layer of flexibility and safety, above and past such nationwide rules.

Certainly, flexibility is formed by employers’ dedication to supply and allow entry to versatile working preparations. It’s additionally primarily based on their willingness to be taught from folks’s experiences (like in the course of the COVID pandemic) to develop extra versatile methods of working that benefit each the organisation and its staff. After all, line managers form actual capabilities on the bottom.

However even when employers are dedicated, in apply, flexibility is very depending on job traits. Some jobs, reminiscent of cleansing or upkeep, merely can’t be carried out remotely. Different work might require set shifts, reminiscent of nursing and policing.

Societal expectations – significantly assumptions about what ladies and men “ought to do” when it comes to paid work, caring tasks and home tasks – additionally matter when attempting to make flexibility a actuality. Girls are sometimes anticipated to make use of versatile preparations to fulfil extra conventional roles, like being a homemaker or major caregiver. However using flexibility amongst males has been usually interpreted as an absence of dedication to work, making a so-called flexibility stigma.

However, if applied nicely, versatile preparations can assist each women and men make work (extra) suitable with different tasks. So what do you have to search for when looking for versatile work?

1. Be versatile about flexibility

Flexibility just isn’t a one-size-fits-all work association. How enticing a given versatile work association is to you probably depends upon the life stage you’re at, in addition to that of your loved ones or companion (you probably have one). Take into consideration what matches and why. Sure, flexibility may be advantageous. But additionally bear in mind that society expects various things from us as women and men – bear in mind, it’s OK to go in opposition to the stream.

2. Discover out what is accessible to you

Entry to versatile work preparations may be regulated by way of your employer, a collective settlement between your union and office, or nationwide regulation. Speak to an HR consultant, your line supervisor or union rep about choices obtainable to you. Inform them about your explicit circumstances, for instance you probably have an invisible incapacity or sickness, or you probably have caring tasks.

3. Plan forward and talk nicely

Possibly you need to strive a versatile work association for a restricted time frame. In that case, verify the situations hooked up. What number of instances a 12 months you may request versatile working, for instance, or any stipulations (like tenure necessities) or any potential employer contribution for tools prices and electrical energy/heating payments. You possibly can normally negotiate these situations.

Additionally, maintain a watch out for reversibility, which implies you’re allowed to return to your earlier working association if wanted or desired.

4. Get geared up for versatile work

Lastly, get a way of what it’s essential work flexibly and/or remotely. You may be slicing out commuting prices, however versatile working might result in totally different work-related, out-of-pocket bills. Many employers will cowl a few of these prices inside cause, or your work might present the tools it’s essential work flexibly, reminiscent of a laptop computer.

With greater than 300 sorts of versatile work preparations on the market, understanding the best way to make your working life extra versatile may be daunting. By being knowledgeable, planning forward, speaking, and being versatile about flexibility, you can begin to know the upsides and disadvantages of latest working practices within the post-pandemic world of labor.