Working flexibly helps parents to have more options about childcare and other commitments. Cutting down on commute times and increased productivity are other reasons for embracing remote and flexible working. Here at Happity we love remote and flexible working and the benefits it offers for parents.
So here’s more about flexible working and how you can fit your job around your children.
Looking for fun activities with your baby or toddler?
There are thousands of classes and groups on Happity. Find one you’ll love here.
What Is Flexible Working?
Flexible working is about when and how you work your hours rather than where you work them! You may need to block out times on your calendar when you are available for calls and meetings, but in reality, you can work some of your hours to suit you.
Perhaps you pick up some hours in the evening or first thing in the morning. This can be perfect if you want to start work early some days but finish before the school run. Equally, some parents won’t start their working day until they’ve dropped the children off at school.
I Can’t Do My Job Remotely: Can I Still Work Flexibly?
You could be a fully remote, flexible employee, a flexible hybrid worker, or a flexible in-person worker! Even if you’re in an ‘in-person’ job where you need to be physically present such as social or care work, shift work or retail: you may find there is some flexibility as to your working patterns. However, these will usually need to be the same or similar week-by-week.
For service jobs which are usually ‘in-person’ like teachers, doctors, dentists, medical reception staff, local authorities, retail, government or council work, there will be core hours for you to be your place of work. But you’re still legally entitled to ask for flexible working so see what your employer can do for you.
What Is Condensed Working?
Some full-time employees may work a 37-hour week but over fewer (and longer) days than the traditional 9-5pm. This is another great example of flexible working.
Do Employers Have To Offer Flexible Working For Parents?
All employees, regardless of whether they are parents or not, have the legal right to ask for flexible working. This covers the number of hours, where you work, start and end times, and days that you work.
If you’re used to working a ‘condensed’ week (e.g. the hours for five days a week over four days), you can ask for the same arrangement with any new employer and see what they say.
This can be an issue if you’re on a zero-hours contract as you don’t have a formal contract. So you have fewer legal rights when asking to work flexibly.
However, as of October 2024, the government has proposed plans giving more rights for flexible working.
What About Flexible Leave?
Did you know that each parent has the right ask for something called Ordinary Parental Leave? This is unpaid leave and different from paid holiday/annual leave, maternity/paternity leave or shared parental leave.
Parental leave covers 18 weeks’ unpaid leave per child up to their 18th birthday. That’s 18 weeks for each parent individually, so you and your partner could take leave at the same time. You’re allowed to take a maximum of 4 weeks per child in any one year in week-long blocks. This is up to the maximum total of 18 weeks.
So some parents may choose to take this leave when their child is young, or during the school holidays. Others may wait until their child is sitting exams. Check your eligibility here.
An employer can decline the timing of your request, but must offer an alternative time for you to take the leave.
Read more about Parental Leave here.
What Is The Difference Between Hybrid And Remote Working?
Remote working is where you use your computer, laptop and an internet or Wifi connection to work wherever you like. This is often ‘from home’ or can be from a cafe, library, or co-working space. There are even hotels in London where you can find a quiet space in their lobby or communal areas. Or why not try somewhere like The National Theatre or the British Library? You connect with colleagues via Zoom calls, Google Meet, Teams, or more traditional phone calls and emails.
Hybrid working is where you work partly in an office or hotdesk, and partly at home/remotely. Since Covid, many larger employers have encouraged an ‘in part’ return to the office on certain days a week. Others may be more flexible, or stipulate one or two days a month for in-person meetings.
So with some people preferring to be around colleagues in person for at least some of the time, is hybrid working the new remote working?
However you decide to navigate your job as a working parent, be sure to check out all the options.
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
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