How Flexible Working Can Benefit Your School

The working landscape has changed dramatically since the 2019 pandemic with many jobs now working flexibly and/or remotely. But what about education? How can the teaching profession keep up with these modern day practices?

In April 2024, rules surrounding flexible working requests changed to make requesting flexible working from your place of work more easily accessible for all – including those in education. 

“As of 6 April 2024 employees can make a statutory request to make permanent changes to their contract from their first day of employment. This means that from day one, they can ask an employer for changes to how long, when and where they work.  

Employees can now make two requests in any twelve-month period, rather than the previous one request.  

In addition, you are now required to make a decision on the request within two months of receiving it.

Should you feel unable to accept the request, you need to consult with your employee. 

The changes also mean that your employee no longer has to explain what effect, if any, the flexible working request would have on your organisation and how it could be overcome.  

As an employer, you must manage these requests in a reasonable manner. You can only reject a request for one of eight business reasons.”

This new legislation applies to all employers and many schools have now started implementing flexible working arrangements to support the retention of quality teachers in their schools and to improve the work-life balance of their employees. 

What is flexible working? What does it look like?

There is not just one type of flexible working. There are many different types of flexible working some which may be a long term arrangement, some which may only be needed temporarily. To name a few options: part-time work, job sharing, time-off-in-lieu (TOIL), remote working, staggered hours, flexible job design, phased retirement, co-leadership and many more! 

This is not an extensive list but are just some of the options available to education staff if they wish to request flexible working arrangements.

Why flexible working arrangements might suit you

Flexible working refers to a variety of working arrangements that allow employees to have greater control over their working hours and location. This can be beneficial to those who have additional responsibilities, who want to have a better work-life balance or simply because they are required in the moment.

There have been many studies done by the Department for Education and the NEU about teacher workload and the working lives of teachers. You can see some of the key findings below: