The SoR has joined a coalition of 18 unions, representing every part of the NHS workforce, in sending an open letter to employers seeking commitment to supporting flexible working for staff.
This Employee Appreciation Day (Friday 6 March), the Society is asking reps to write to their employers to take decisive action on flexible working policies, such as team-rostering and 'any hours' contracts which offer staff the hours they want to work from the outset.
Access to flexible working offers an opportunity to attract, retain and support staff, according to the #TalkAboutFlex campaign, while a lack of flexibility can drive out staff who would otherwise stay.
An inconsistent approach
At present, all NHS workers have the right to request flexible working from day one of employment and to make unlimited requests without providing a reason, but all too often, accessing the flexibility they need is a struggle for staff, including those with childcare and other family commitments. The inconsistent approach by employers has created a postcode lottery across the NHS.
Some staff are being forced to accept less favourable contracts, or lower-paid bank shifts, in return for being granted flexible working, the campaign says. Employers often reject applications from workers who want to determine their own schedule and instead insist they have to fit in with rigid shift patterns.
Employers are being invited to sign the Get Ahead on Flex pledge and commit to three key actions:
- Lead the conversation: Employers should commit to including flexible working in every job advert, every interview, and every appraisal.
- Set a target:Boards need to take ownership of flex. Every employer should publish data on flex requests and set a clear target and action plan for progress, with regular time on the agenda at board meetings.
- Train for flex: Every manager should receive standard training on flexible working to ensure a consistent, positive approach and drive a true flexible working culture.
Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust and Milton Keynes University Hospital have already signed up to the pledge. The pledge is also backed by equality campaigners, including Kate Jarman, who champions flexible working in the NHS, and Professor Alison Leary from London South Bank University.
Fair, consistent access to flexibility
Leandre Archer, trade union lead for the Get Ahead on Flex campaign and SoR head of Industrial Relations, explained: “We hear stories every day from members across the NHS which highlight the gap between promises of flexible working, and the reality on the ground. We know that access to flex is vital for people’s wellbeing, for building an inclusive and supportive culture, and to recruit and retain desperately needed staff, which all adds up to better care for patients.
“Flexible working shouldn’t depend on which employer you work for or who your manager happens to be. NHS staff deserve fair, consistent access to flexibility so they can deliver the best possible care without sacrificing their own wellbeing. The Get Ahead on Flex pledge is a vital step towards ending the postcode lottery and making flexible working a genuine reality across the NHS.”
Standards on flexible working are likely to be included in new staff standards set out in the government's NHS 10-Year Plan – making now the perfect time for employers to “Get Ahead on Flex” and deliver on the promise of flexible working for every member of NHS staff, they added. In 2027, tougher statutory requirements on flexible working are due to come into force for all employers.
Union reps across the UK will be sending letters to their CEOs asking them to commit to the pledge. Reps who would like to get involved can find more information on the website’s reps page. To join the campaign as an employer, visit theemployer’s page.
Find out more and support the campaign online here.
(Image: Leandre Archer at ADC, by Eva Slusarek)