Details of Activity
In its submission, the department demonstrated a commitment to ensuring its staff had a clear understanding of flexible working policies and the process to request it. Flexible working requests were recorded and published in order to increase staff awareness. Questions and information concerning flexible working were also included during recruitment, induction and included in Personal Development Reviews (PDR), through which the department aimed to facilitate open discussions. This initiative was further supported by the uploading of flexible working case studies on the department’s website.
Outcomes
The department recorded an increase from 20 members of staff working flexibly in January 2013, to 35 members of staff in June 2014; 94% of these flexible working arrangements were taken up by female members of staff. Departmental survey results indicated an increase in awareness about flexible working, with just 23% of staff uncertain about flexible working policies, and webpages dedicated to work/life balance received over 700 page views.