Flexible working is a way of working that suits an employee’s needs, for example having flexible start and finish times
All employees who have been continuously employed for 26 weeks have the right to request flexible working and to have their request considered by the University. An employee can only make one statutory flexible working request every 12 months.
This page provides information on the University's policy on flexible working, when and how staff can apply and what line manager should do when they receive an application.
There is currently no provision for staff to work from home on a more permanent basis, although there is recognition that this is something that the University may want to introduce in the longer term.
Consideration will need to be given to statutory requirements (health and safety, tax, equipment etc.), costs and protocols that would apply to permanent working from home before any requests could be implemented.
Staff should continue to work from home on the current (extended) temporary basis as per government guidance during this period and are encouraged to postpone discussions about more permanent arrangements until such time that the University has been able to put the necessary processes in place.
The Form - Application for flexible working can be found in the 'How do I...?' section above.
If the application is from an eligible member of staff, you are required to arrange a meeting to discuss it within 28 days. They are then entitled to a decision within 14 days of the meeting.
Flexible working requests may be declined for objective business reasons - please see the policy on flexible working for more information.
All employees who have been continuously employed for 26 weeks at the date their application is made have the right to request flexible working and to have their request considered by the University. An employee can only make a statutory request once in any 12 month period.
Further guidance is found in our policy below.
The Parents' and Carers' Network (P&CN) aims to support the working lives of colleagues who also have off-campus responsibilities looking after children or after adults unable to care for themselves due to old age or a disability. Please visit their website at www.southampton.ac.uk/pcn