What are flexible working arrangements?
Flexible working arrangements can include:
- Flexible location – for example, working from home or somewhere else more convenient, instead of the office.
- Flexible hours – for example, changing start or finish times to accommodate personal or family commitments.
- Flexible patterns – for example, working longer days to provide for a shorter working week.
- Flexible rostering – for example, split shifts.
Benefits of flexible working arrangements
Giving your employees the flexibility they want, while still ensuring your business needs are met, can help you create a positive workplace.
By improving work-life balance for your staff, flexible arrangements can help you:
- improve staff morale, motivation and productivity
- become an employer of choice
- reduce staff turnover and absenteeism
- reduce staffing costs.
Managing flexible working arrangements
To manage arrangements:
- create a clear policy on flexible working arrangements and keep it up to date
- make sure all your staff are aware of the policy and their rights
- stay informed about your business’s rights and responsibilities
- encourage all staff to talk to you about flexible arrangements.
When you get a request, it’s best to discuss it with your employee first. You might offer an alternative to try reach a compromise.
For example, your employee may want to start their shift at noon so they can study in the morning. If mornings are busy periods in your business, see if they would be willing to start their shift earlier, so they have the afternoon to study.
Employee rights
Some employees have the right to ask for flexible working arrangements under the National Employment Standards, and they can only be refused for certain reasons.
Visit the Fair Work Ombudsman website to find out:
- which employees have the right to ask for flexible working arrangements
- how you need to respond to requests.
Want more information?
- Check out the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website for more on Employee entitlements.
- For tips on other ways you can meet the needs of your employees, visit our Employ people topic.