A video case study from a line manager talking honestly about the challenges and successes of flexible working in his team, also features on the website. Line manager support We identified early-on that line manager support would be a vital component to the success of the scheme, so we designed and ran a series of webinars for managers about how to support flexible working. We also supported managers on a one-to-one basis and followed up on every Flex Select enquiry to ensure there were no blockers to approval that could be removed. Results In line with research on the impact of the pandemic on females, we saw 80% of enquiries from women, with 42% of them moving to a confirmed flexible working arrangement.
No applications were turned down, indicating the success of our ‘start with yes’ approach to line manager training. In response to a survey about the scheme, 100%of respondents said they would recommend Flex Select to colleagues. The qualitative data was also overwhelmingly positive about the impact on work-life balance, wellbeing and the ability to carry out caring responsibilities. Encouragingly, 100% of respondents also felt their manager had been supportive during and after the application. Furthermore, we tracked the staff costs savings and exceeded the annual target set, within three months of the launch of the scheme. Support and explore flexible working options in your organisation via our #Flexfrom1st campaign.
FLEX SELECT University of Sunderland relaunches ‘Flex Select’
Victoria Casey FCIPD, Head of HR Business Partnering at the University of Sunderland
What we did We sought feedback from key stakeholder groups to get a range of views from those in different life situations, including parents and carers, staff with disabilities, LGBTQI, those living alone, or with health issues. We worked closely with our campus trade unions too, and based on all of this feedback, we decided to take a new and innovative approach to promoting our flexible work opportunities. A webpage was designed to encourage people to find out more about ‘Flex Select’ and explore their flexible work options for a better work-life-balance. Video case studies are promoted on the website featuring staff who are benefitting from flexible working; not just working parents. These include a member of staff setting up their own business who had moved into a job share, a father who wanted to spend more time with his children, and a staff member who bought additional holiday to pursue their hobbies and travel.
The University of Sunderland is relaunching its ‘Flex Select’ scheme as a permanent benefit this month after overwhelming positive feedback from its staff. Earlier this year, the innovative scheme was shortlisted for the Universities HR Awards and the CIPD North East Awards, in response to its bespoke approach to helping employees a better work-life-balance.
We also recognised
the impact of lockdown on our staff and the increasing need for more flexible ways of working, during and beyond the pandemic
The university’s Head of HR Business Partnering, Victoria Casey FCIPD tells us more.
Flex Select was initially introduced as a one-year cost saving initiative - in response to the Covid-19 pandemic – by encouraging staff to work less hours to help mitigate any reduction in income, due to a predicted drop in student numbers. But we also recognised the impact of lockdown on our staff and the increasing need for more flexible ways of working, during and beyond the pandemic, to better support the wellbeing of our employees.
REGIONAL INSIGHTS
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13 Autumn 2021
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