All NHS organisations are being urged to review their flexible working policies for staff against a new guidance published by NHS England at the end of January.
The guidance recognises that the NHS Staff Survey shows many people feel unsatisfied with their opportunities for flexible working, even though the organisation they work for may have flexible working policies in place. The message is not to assume that the existence of these policies means an organisation is meeting staff needs for flexible working.
In addition, ‘work-life balance’ is often cited as a reason for leaving the NHS, which indicates that people may not have – or may not feel that they have – the flexibility they need to achieve the balance that is right for them.
The guidance is not statutory and is not intended to add a legal obligation. However, it sets out 10 principles for flexible working, which all NHS organisations are being encouraged to adopt and embed as standard practice as part of an ambition for the NHS to “go beyond the minimum statutory requirements, to push the boundaries and enhance the culture around flexible working.”
The guidance also includes detailed definitions for flexible working.
