Detailed information on how to apply for flexible working, and the practicalities associated with a formal change in contracted hours, is available on the University HR webpage on flexible working.
The possibility to work flexibly is available to all staff, and requests to do so must be done formally.
The flexible working procedure begins with submission of a ‘request for the Flexible working’ form, available on the HR website. If approved, contracts will be formally changed to reflect agreed upon arrangements for working.
SPPE remains committed to supporting flexible working for staff and encourages staff to discuss their individual circumstances with HR, their line manager, and the Head of School to identify appropriate arrangements.
SPPE encourages the use of email signatures that support flexible working patterns and emphasises the importance for reasonable work-life balance at meetings.
Examples of flexible working in the School
"I have worked compressed hours since returning to work in 2016 after the birth of my second child. This means that I continue to work a 1.0 FTE but that my hours are compressed over 9 days, so that my agreed upon hours are longer, with a shorter lunch break.
This enabled me to have every other Friday off so that I could look after my children, and relieved some of the financial burden of having two pre-school aged children in nursery. My husband was similarly able to move to compressed hours to look after them on the Fridays when I work.
The process for moving to compressed hours was fairly straightforward, and I was supported in my application by the Head of School. I plan to continue to work this way until my third child goes to school.
At times, it can be difficult to communicate to colleagues that I wor