As of April 6th, 2024, the UK’s flexible working landscape undergoes a significant shift, and schools are not exempt. These changes hold immense potential for both teachers and institutions, promising a more balanced and productive work environment.
TT Education is working with Multi-Academy Trust’s across the country to support workforce planning through our MAT Capability Framework, underpinned through our unique ‘Employee Lifecycle’. Flexible working is a part of organisations people strategy which can help to attract and retain talent in your schools.
What’s changing?
- Day One Right: Previously, you had to be employed for 26 weeks before requesting flexible working. Gone are those days! Now, anyone can request flexibility from day one.
- Double Requests: You can now put in two requests within a 12-month period, instead of just one.
- Faster Response: Employers must respond to your request within two months, not three.
- Consultation is Key: Employers are now obligated to actively consult with you before rejecting your request.
- No Explanation Burden: You no longer need to explain how your request impacts the business. The onus is on the employer to assess that.
How can schools benefit?
Adjusting the flexible working law provides an opportunity to support your workforce to be happier and mentally healthier as well as supporting employees who are seeking a more creative and appealing working arrangement, which suits both professional and personal lives. The changes to the Flexible Working Law can offer many benefits for schools and Trusts including:
- Attract and Retain Talent: Offer work-life balance, and you’ll attract and retain top talent, especially those juggling caring responsibilities or pursuing further studies.
- Reduced Staff Turnover: Happy and flexible staff are less likely to leave and exhibit greater workplace satisfaction. This saves you time and resources on recruitment and training.
- Improved Wellbeing: Flexibility reduces stress and boosts morale, leading to more engaged and productive staff.
- Enhanced Diversity & Inclusion: Accommodating diverse needs fosters a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all staff. Flexible working arrangements potentially opens up opportunities to attract and retain a diverse range of employees due to more creative working arrangements.
- Greater Efficiency: Flexible arrangements can lead to more efficient use of school resources and optimised time management.
Putting it into practice:
In 2023, CST surveyed Multi-Academy Trusts and found key areas of priority included financial sustainability, workforce development and people strategy and building a strong culture. Developing a workforce strategy which embraces flexible working is a critical component of this.
Develop a clear workforce strategy: A workforce strategy in schools goes beyond just having employees; it’s about actively planning and managing your human capital to achieve the school’s goals and create a positive work environment. This strategy becomes even more crucial with the new flexible working regulations coming into effect in April 2024.
TT Education’s MAT Capability Framework, supported by our Employee Lifecycle can support Trusts to provide transformational organisational mechanisms. The Framework supports MAT efficiency and effectiveness as well as crucially widen opportunities to grow different funding and financial income streams and secure a sustainable employee development model. Flexible working can be a positive tenet of any workforce strategy through:
- Flexibility as a recruitment tool: Offering flexible work arrangements like compressed hours, remote work, or job sharing expands your talent pool and allows you to attract individuals who might not otherwise consider working in education.
- Retention through work-life balance: Flexible options help staff meet personal commitments while remaining fully engaged with their work, reducing stress and burnout, and ultimately encouraging them to stay longer.
- Improved well-being and engagement: Flexibility empowers staff to manage their workload and personal lives effectively, leading to increased well-being and engagement, which directly impacts their effectiveness in the classroom.
- Supporting diverse needs: A strategic approach that integrates flexible work arrangements demonstrates your commitment to diversity and inclusion, opening doors to a wider range of talents and experiences.
Steps to take with the new Flexible Working Law
- Communicate Openly: Inform staff about the new regulations and encourage them to discuss flexibility.
- Be Flexible: Consider individual needs and circumstances, fostering a culture of trust and open communication.
- Develop a Comprehensive Policy: Clearly outline the types of flexible arrangements your school offers (compressed hours, remote work, job sharing, etc.).
- Streamline the Process: Set up a clear and accessible system for receiving and reviewing requests.
- Train Managers: Equip managers with the skills to confidently assess and discuss flexible working requests.
