Due to the broad range of occupations in local government, there have always been many different patterns of work. Some jobs may require you to work the traditional full time week i.e. 35-40 hours, but often there may be part time and job share opportunities, or shift work available. Increasingly local councils are investigating different ways of working. Firstly, because of the pressure upon them to deliver services in the most efficient and cost-effective manner. And secondly, to meet the demands of employees who want to achieve a better balance between their work and their other priorities including caring for children or elderly parents, gaining further education and qualifications or pursuing leisure activities.

What are the flexible options?

• Flexi-time
  A system that enables employees to vary their hours outside of the core hours of 09.00-17.00 for example 08.00-16.00 and so on.
• Part time work
  A part time employee works less than the standard number of full time hours for the type of work they are doing. Part time hours can vary a lot
• Job sharing
  Two employees work part time sharing the responsibilities, salary and holiday of one full time worker according to the number of hours they work.
• Compressed weeks or fortnights
  A full time employee works full time hours over a four, or a four and a half-day week, or a nine-day fortnight instead of the five-day week.
• Term-time working
  This is an arrangement of hours that allows parents to spend more time with their children in school holidays.
• Averaged/annualised hours
  A system where an employee’s hours are totalled over a period, often the year. Employees work more or less hours each week as agreed. Term-time working can be a version of averaged hours.
• Swapping hours
  Employees can swap shifts or hours with colleagues doing the same kind of work at different times of the day.
• Voluntary changes in hours (V-Time)
  Employees are able to reduce or increase the number of hours they work either permanently or temporarily.
• Working at home
  Employees carry out all, or a proportion of their duties in their own homes rather than in the office. It may be an odd day to carry out pieces of work that can be better achieved at home or to deal with, for example, plumber’s appointments, or it could be a regular arrangement of several days a week.
• Career breaks
  Employees take extended periods of time away from paid work, usually a year or more and there is often a guaranteed right to return to the same, or a similar job. Often career breaks may take the form of sabbaticals enabling the employee to travel, study full time or do voluntary work.

More information about work-life balance can be found on the Local Government Employers website.