Flexible working

Learn how employers can support their staff by offering flexible working options.
A doctor smiling at a patient.

As part of the NHS People Plan, the NHS People Promise sets out a series of commitments, one of which is we work flexibly which states: We do not have to sacrifice our family, our friends or our interests for work.

This ambition is to give people greater choice over their working patterns, helping them to achieve a better work-life balance. To ensure the NHS remains an employer of choice and can attract talent in a competitive job market, more action is needed to increase the uptake of flexible working.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Resources

A diverse group of healthcare staff walking along a hospital corridor.
News

New flexible working guides for line managers and staff

NHS England, the NHS Staff Council and Timewise have published two new guides to support line managers and staff work flexibly.

23 June 2022
A nurse and doctor consulting a patient.
Myths and facts

Flexible working common myths

The NHS Staff Council has busted a range of common myths around flexible working within the NHS.

Article

Flexible working enablers for change

Our flexible working enablers for change support employers embed the key changes to section 33 of the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service.

An office worker looking at maps on a screen.
Poster

Flexible working enablers poster

This poster, developed in partnership with the NHS Staff Council, details the ten enablers to flexible working.

A homeworker taking notes while in a video call.
Flowchart

Guide to making flexible working requests flowchart

This flowchart for managing conversations around flexible working requests was created by the NHS Staff Council to support the NHS People Plan.

FAQs

Flexible working FAQs

The NHS Staff Council has developed a range of FAQs to help employers embed the new contractual flexible working provisions.

Further resources Arrow pointing right

Guidance

NHS Staff Council logo
Article

Guidance on contractual issues arising from certain forms of flexible working

This page details guidance from the NHS Staff Council on contractual issues arising from certain forms of flexible working.

31 March 2023
Student nurses talking in a corridor.
Guidance

New contractual flexible working provisions

Guidance and resources on the implementation of new contractual provisions for flexible working which became effective from 13 September 2021.

A diverse team meeting around a table.
Guidance

Flexible working scenarios

The NHS Staff Council has developed a range of scenarios to help employers embed the new contractual flexible working provisions.

A home worker during a video call.
Guidance

Enabling and supporting staff to work from home

It is important that organisations adapt to new ways of working to enable and support staff to work from home where necessary.

Guidance

How to embed flexible working for nurses

A guide on flexible working for the nursing workforce.

Case studies

A patient and carer, crafting at an outside table.
Case study

Introducing a Working Carers Passport to support and retain staff with unpaid caring responsibilities

Read how West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership implemented a Working Carers Passport.

A nurse checking a tablet computer.
Good practice examples

What NHS organisations are doing to support staff to work flexibly

Find out what NHS organisations are doing to maximise flexible working for their workforce.