>> Flexible working

Flexible working is something everyone might want to think about at some time in their life. Parents with children under six or a disabled child under 18 and some carers have the right to ask to work flexibly.

Flexible working can benefit others too! You might want to work flexibly if you:

• take a year off to travel.
• take time out to do something you've always wanted to do.
• want to do some voluntary work.
• want to spend more time with your family.
• want to have more than one job!

Many businesses now have to offer their products and services all day, every day so they need staff to work flexibly. Others will need to consider flexible working if they are to:

• recruit staff with the skills they need.
• keep experienced staff whose circumstances have changed.
• cut employment costs by reducing things like absenteeism and overtime.

Employer organisations such as sector skills councils realise employers need to offer employees a better work/life balance to attract the best.

Check out...

	your rights as a parent or carer on Directgov.
	advice available and what is meant by flexible working from Working Families or ACAS.
	the benefits of flexible working from Business Link.