Being a BAOT member means you also belong to Unison and can access support and advice on workplace issues at any time .
NHS flexible working rights to improve work-life balance and retain staff
In the NHS flexible working is an arrangement that supports an individual to have a greater choice in when , where and how they work . An agreement negotiated by Unison and health unions through the NHS Staff Council means that as of 13 September 2021 , all employees of NHS organisations in England and Wales have a contractual right to request flexible working from day one of employment .
The agreement also removes limits on the number of requests that can be made and strengthens the processes employers must use when considering requests .
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the willingness of NHS staff to go above and beyond in putting the needs of patients and services before themselves .
The NHS needs to retain these staff and recruit many more to meet the challenges ahead , and offering genuine flexible working is an important way to do this . The new improved provisions we have negotiated mean :
• all employees have the right to request flexible working from day one of employment ;
• there is no limit on the number of requests you can make ;
• you have the right to make requests and have them considered regardless of the reason ;
• organisations must keep a central overview of how requests are being handled and check for fairness and equality of outcomes ;
• where you and your line manager have not been able to find a solution , there is a further escalation stage to check for other suitable options ; and
• your line manager should have regular conversations about flexible working with you , without waiting for you to make a formal request . Remember , it ’ s your employer ’ s duty to make sure that you
can request flexibility from day one and you have every right to raise issues relating to flexible working during your one-toones , appraisals , team discussions , or even during informal conversations with your line manager .
Speaking about the new policy , Fiona Wild , BAOT representative on the NHS Staff Council , said : ‘ A modern workplace requires a flexible workforce , however flexibility is often seen as a problem to be accommodated , rather than an opportunity to enable staff to achieve a better work-life balance , enhanced job satisfaction , and improve the retention of key staff groups . Good partnership working , leads to better outcomes and improvements for all staff .’
The NHS Staff Council has produced a number of useful resources to support making flexible working accessible to all staff irrespective of whether you work nine-to-five , or around different shift patterns .
Flexible working has always been seen as mainly available to those with caring responsibilities , but in the NHS flexible working can be requested because :
• you want a better work-life balance ;
• you have caring responsibilities ; or
• for any other reason . It ’ s also worth noting , flexible working can be a combination of formal and informal flexible arrangements and you are not limited in the number of options you choose . For example , you can ask to work reduced hours while also staggering those hours .
But what does flexible working in the NHS look like ? Reduced hours ( or part time working ): working fewer hours than you were initially contracted to work . Staggered working hours : where staff work a set number of hours during the day , but with different start and finish times . Term time hours : usually favoured by working parents to work 39 weeks per year within term time and use their annual leave entitlement , plus additional unpaid leave , to have school holidays off work . Flexi time : allows you to vary your working hours ( which may include your start and finish times ) to suit your individual circumstances . Team based self-rostering : giving staff control over the pattern of their working week by allowing them to put forward their preferences and trying to match these as close as possible . Compressed working week : working your contracted hours over fewer days . Working from home : working some or all of your work patterns at home .
Remember this list is not exhaustive and the new provisions allow you to come up with a whole host of options .
There are things to consider before making a request for flexible working . We know that members choose to work in the NHS because they care about the services they run and patients they care for . That ’ s why achieving a balance between your own needs , service delivery and the work-life balance of your colleagues is something that might not come naturally to you .
It ’ s important for you to be prepared in advance of your discussion with your manager . Seek advice from your local Unison branch beforehand .
Your local Unison representative will also be on hand to help you put in an appeal or make a new request if your flexible working application has not been accepted .
OTnews October 2021 47