Flexible Working Policy update
28 Jun 2021
The University changes its flexible working policy
In response to colleague feedback about the benefits of working flexibly, the University has made some changes to its Flexible Working policy.
Colleagues will now be able to apply for flexible working from day one of their employment rather than having to work at the University for 26 weeks before being eligible to apply.
Flexible working is available to all grades across the organisation and may include a change in work patterns, condensed hours, job shares, or annualised hours.
Other changes to the policy include:
• an increase to the temporary flexible working period from one month to three, allowing staff members to make short-term changes to their working arrangements;
• we now require managers to respond to all flexible working requests within a month of the request being submitted.
Karen Heaton, Director of Human Resources said: “ Our updated Flexible Working Policy signals a positive change for our University, as it will help us to attract a wider and more diverse range of candidates to roles and provide more flexible working options to existing colleagues. This updated policy will ensure that we continue to create a flexible future for all our people.”
The University recently launched a hybrid working pilot for Professional Services staff that will run until the end of August 2022. Colleagues who request hybrid working as part of this pilot do not need to complete a flexible working application as hybrid arrangements can be put into place informally between managers and individuals and teams.
More information