Flexible working: the law and best practice

Introducing a flexible working policy

You should inform and consult your employees before you introduce a flexible working policy. This may help them understand how flexible working arrangements may impact your business.

When planning to implement a flexible working policy, you will need to consider the following:

• What flexible working arrangements will suit the business?
• What are the legal requirements?
• How will you deal with applications, eg, who will attend the meetings, and how will the administration work?
• Are there jobs that might be difficult to do under a flexible working arrangement, eg, jobs that don't suit homeworking?
• If there are, what is the nature of the obstacle, and can you perhaps overcome it?
• How flexible are your IT arrangements, eg, can employees access their email away from the workplace?

Flexible working webinars

The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland hosts free employer training courses on flexible working on a regular basis.

Find out how to set up employment policies for your business.