Having the ability to work flexibly is likely one of the most sought-after necessities for staff. As many as 8.7 million full-time staff say they need to work flexibly, in response to the Equality and Human Rights Commission. But, solely 31% of job adverts within the UK overtly supply some type of versatile working on the hiring stage.
Though employers could also be reluctant to promote jobs as versatile, this doesn’t essentially imply it’s out of the query. When you don’t ask, you don’t get — and being up entrance about your wants can repay.
Generally, although, asking when you can work versatile hours or earn a living from home can result in discrimination from hiring managers.
So what are you able to do to seek out out if an employer is open to versatile working, with out explicitly asking?
Molly Johnson-Jones, CEO and co-founder of future of labor consultants Flexa, says the secret is to seek out out extra about an organization’s tradition.
You may glean quite a bit concerning the setting of an organisation by the language utilized in job interviews.
“Even when your interviewer doesn’t point out a selected working location or hours, you’re nonetheless more likely to uncover quite a bit from their response,” says Johnson-Jones.
“For instance, in the event that they point out giving workers ‘freedom’, ‘autonomy’ and ‘belief’, it might point out that the corporate goes out of their method to facilitate flexibility. They’ve created a tradition the place employees really feel actually inspired and capable of make use of what’s on supply.”
Nevertheless, if the interviewer makes use of phrases like “structured” or “conventional” it might point out that employees are tied to a extra inflexible schedule. “References to ‘on-site collaboration’ are additionally a transparent indicator that some stage of in-person work shall be required,” says Johnson-Jones.
“You also needs to be cautious of descriptors like ‘fast-paced’ and ‘demanding’, if work-life steadiness is a precedence for you,” she provides. “It’s usually code for lengthy hours, and will point out the presence of a hustle tradition mentality.”
Though employers could also be reluctant to promote jobs as versatile, this doesn’t essentially imply it’s out of the query. ·VioletaStoimenova by way of Getty Photos
It’s additionally helpful to learn how the organisation measures efficiency — and what success seems to be like within the position.
“Phrases like ‘proactive’ and ‘self-motivated’ are what you need to hear when you’re in search of extra autonomy,” says Johnson-Jones. “Equally, if the hiring supervisor talks about wanting individuals who can prioritise successfully, it implies workers are given some stage of freedom to handle their very own time.”
The response to this query can reveal whether or not workers have set hours, or if they will flex their workdays to swimsuit their wants and commitments, like doing the varsity run.
Johnson-Jones provides: “This query may additionally immediate a response that begins with: ‘On the times we’re within the workplace’ — which is able to make it easier to gauge the extent of distant engaged on supply.”
Remarks about wanting staff who thrive on face-to-face interplay — or an emphasis on in-person collaboration — factors to a working tradition which is office-centric.
“Nevertheless, any mentions of wanting people who’re ‘self-motivated’ or who take possession of their work are a inexperienced flag right here,” she says.
“It’s a superb indication that the corporate offers employees some stage of freedom over their very own schedules and job lists. It’s additionally a extremely constructive signal in case your interviewer talks about wanting individuals who thrive in a trust-based setting. It signifies there’s no micromanagement happening.”
It may be useful to learn between the traces in a job interview. When you ask how workers are supported with their work-life steadiness, and your query is swerved or met with a delicate eye-roll — you’ve doubtless obtained your reply.
“Their response provides you with a way of the significance the corporate locations on worker wellbeing on the whole,” says Johnson-Jones. “This query leaves the door open on your interviewer to say what versatile working insurance policies and significant advantages are in place. As an illustration, four-day working weeks, versatile hours, enhanced parental go away or strong psychological well being assist.”
It may possibly really feel like a waste of time to achieve the interview stage, solely to seek out out an organisation isn’t in favour of versatile working.
It may possibly assist to search for employers who clearly define their versatile working insurance policies on job adverts, their firm web site and LinkedIn. You too can test evaluations left by former or current workers on web sites like Glassdoor.
If you’re in search of a brand new job, it’s straightforward to neglect that the interview course of is a two-way avenue. Though the employer is looking for out whether or not you’d be appropriate for a job, you’re additionally discovering out if the job — and the corporate — is best for you.
And with flexibility a key requirement amongst job seekers, employers needs to be open to discussing some stage of flexibility with a possible rent. “Employers needs to be ready to reply questions concerning the scope of flexibility with a job in a job interview,” says Kate Palmer, employment providers director at HR agency Peninsula.
If versatile working isn’t an choice, employers needs to be up entrance about it — and have a transparent cause why. “Giving an impression of larger flexibility than actually exists could sound good on the time however could be counterproductive and result in issues when the worker begins,” she says.
“You could find yourself dropping your new starter and having to recruit — and bear the price of recruitment — over again. Likewise, if in case you have a versatile or hybrid working sample then clearly talk what number of days they might be required to be within the office.”
The Employment Relations (Versatile Working) Act, which got here into drive in April 2024, grants workers the proper to request versatile working preparations from day considered one of their employment, but it surely doesn’t imply an employer has to grant the request. Below the legislation, workers could make two requests per 12-month interval and employers are required to seek the advice of the worker earlier than rejecting a request.
“It’s pure for job seekers to search for a office the place the working sample matches their necessities,” she provides. “Nevertheless, job seekers don’t even have the authorized proper to make a request till they’re employed by you. So, an assurance that you’re dedicated to honouring an worker’s proper to request versatile working will suffice at that stage.”
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