Flexible working

We are committed to flexible working and improving work-life balance for our people. 

There are many different forms of flexible working that cover the way working hours or arrangements can be organised during the day, week or year. 

Examples of how colleagues have taken advantage of flexible working options are detailed in the case studies.

We work flexibly (NHS People Promise graphic)

Job sharing 
A form of part- time working where one full-time role is shared between two members of staff

Flexible retirement 
Allows organisations and staff to be flexible about the age at which staff retire, the length of time staff take to retire, and the nature and pattern of work in the lead up to final retirement.

Flexi time 
Allows you to vary your working hours (which may include your start and finish times) to suit your individual circumstances. 

Set working pattern
Fixed hours and days to give certainty that other commitments can be fitted around work. Staggered working hours Staff work a set number of hours during the day but with different start and finish times.

Career breaks or sabbaticals 
An extended period of time away from work, organised and agreed upon by you and your employer, normally unpaid.

Term-time working 
Option to work 39 weeks per year within term time and use annual leave entitlement, plus additional unpaid leave, to have school holidays off work.

Working remotely on a regular basis 
Employees work all or part of their working week at a location remote from the employer’s workplace.

Team based self-rostering 
Giving staff control over the pattern of their working week by allowing them to put forward their preferences and trying to match these as closely as possible.

Compressed hours 
Working your contracted hours over fewer days.

Part-time working or reduced hours 
Working fewer hours than you were initially contracted to work.

Hybrid working 
A combination of remote, home and workplace working.

Average hours eg annualised hours 
Contractual hours are averaged out over a set time period for example, quarterly, every six months or over 12 months.

Rotating working pattern 
Individuals rotate between different shift patterns, such as days and nights

Spilt shift/ session schedules 
Where an individual’s working day is split into two or more parts with a rest period, not including lunch or paid breaks

Did this information help you?

  • Page last reviewed: 25 October 2024
  • Next review due: 25 October 2027