Flexible working policy

It’s for all Barnardo's colleagues.

• Flexible working lets you vary where, when and how you work. Compressed hours, reduced hours or job sharing are all examples of flexible working. 
• Any colleague can request flexible working from their start of employment.
• Colleagues are eligible to make two requests (one in Northern Ireland) in a 12 month period.
• If you want to work flexibly, you should make a request in writing to your line manager using the flexible work request form (see documents box below).
• When considering requests, managers should refer to our guidance document. Our flexible working flowchart below illustrates what needs to happen when. See documents box below for both of these documents.
• Within 28 days of receiving a request, line managers should either accept the request and confirm the details in writing or invite the colleague to a meeting to explore the request. 
• Within 14 days of a meeting taking place, line managers should either accept the request and confirm the details in writing or write to the colleague to explain why the request has been turned down.
• Colleagues can appeal their line manager’s decision. If you do this, you need to write to your line manager’s manager within 14 days of the decision

• Colleagues should read the policy, complete the flexible working request form and comply with the notification timescales.

• Line managers should follow the policy and consider all requests reasonably within the given time limits. They should also get advice from the people team.

• People teams need to support line managers and colleagues in implementing this policy.