As we’re all aware, flexible working arrangements have become increasingly popular in recent years – particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic – offering employees greater control over their work schedules.
For parents and those with caring responsibilities, these arrangements can provide a much-needed balance between work and personal life.
Here’s a breakdown of some common types of flexible working and why they can be beneficial:
1. Flexible Hours
- What it is: This arrangement allows employees to choose their start and finish times within a specified range.
- Benefits for parents and carers: Flexible hours can provide parents with the flexibility to drop off or pick up children from school, attend medical appointments, or manage household tasks during non-peak hours.
2. Compressed Hours
- What it is: This involves working a full-time workload in fewer days per week. For example, an employee might work four 10-hour days instead of five 8-hour days.
- Benefits for parents and carers: Compressed hours can provide parents with an extra day off each week to spend time with family or attend to personal matters.
3. Job Sharing
- What it is: Two employees share the responsibilities of a single full-time position.
- Benefits for parents and carers: Job sharing can allow parents to reduce their overall workload and have more time for family and caring responsibilities. It can also provide opportunities for part-time work, which may be more suitable for parents with young children.
4. Part-Time Work
- What it is: Employees work fewer hours than a full-time position.
- Benefits for parents and carers: Part-time work offers a great deal of flexibility for parents and carers. It allows employees to balance their work commitments with their personal responsibilities while still maintaining a steady income.
5. Remote Working
- What it is: Employees work from a location other than a traditional office, such as their home or a co-working space.
- Benefits for parents and carers: Remote working can provide parents with the flexibility to work around their children’s schedules. It can also reduce commuting time and allow employees to create a more conducive work environment, free from distractions.
6. Annualised Hours
- What it is: This is less common, but sees employees work a set number of hours over a year, but the distribution of those hours can vary. This can involve working longer hours during busy periods and shorter hours during slower periods.
- Benefits for parents and carers: Annualised hours can provide flexibility for parents who need to take time off during school holidays or for other family-related reasons.
Flexible working arrangements can offer significant benefits to parents and carers, allowing them to balance their work and personal lives more effectively. By considering the various options available, studios and their employees can find an arrangement that best suits their needs and circumstances.
To find out more about a studio’s legal requirements when it comes to staff who are parents, click here.
To find out more about a studio’s legal requirements when it comes to staff who have caring responsibilities, click here.
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