Too often it is left to employees to make flexible working work
A new study says charities should include flexible working in all advertised posts.
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations and charity leaders body Acevo produced the report calling for an “urgent mindset shift change across the sector.”
It says that it shouldn’t be left to employees to make flexible working arrangements as often this creates pressure to overcompensate for their working patterns without proper organisational or structural support.
The report includes practical tips, case studies and links to useful resources to support leaders, managers and individuals to approach flexible working in their organisations.
The report – ‘Time to Flex’ – is based on research and interviews by the Flexible Working Group which was set up in September 2021 and chaired by former Changing Faces CEO Becky Hewitt.
Hewitt said: "When I started thinking about being a chief executive my single biggest anxiety was the conversation about flexible working. I was already a first-timer – how could I be taken seriously as a part-timer too?
"Many charities are facing a moment where the need is greater than ever before – while resources and funds are increasingly stretched. Our passionate, committed and mission-driven workforce often ‘lean in’ themselves, working long hours in service of the cause and not wanting to "let anyone down".
"Yet Covid-19 has taught us that we can work differently – and more flexibly – when the will is there.
“From our conversations across the sector, it’s clear there is now a unique opportunity to build on what we have learnt during the pandemic and move on from outdated ways of working – redesigning work in the voluntary sector so that supporting people’s "whole selves" and productivity can go hand in hand."
NCVO and ACEVO say this report is just the start of a conversation, and there are plans for a second phase, which might include more in-depth training and toolkits to support voluntary organisations to implement flexible working.
Sarah Vibert, interim chief executive, NCVO, and Vicky Browning, chief executive, ACEVO, said: "Increasingly, ACEVO and NCVO members tell us that they’re interested in implementing m ore flexible working arrangements in their organisations. The subject is now particularly important given the changes to the way we organise work brought about by the pandemic and the need for a more inclusive culture.
"We want to create a culture in the voluntary sector that values and champions flexible working. Flexible working promotes wellbeing in the workplace, and it increases productivity. It’s critical for inclusion. It’s important for attracting and retaining a talented, diverse pool of staff.
"Put simply, flexible working for our teams will help the voluntary sector deliver more for the people and communities we support. We’re looking forward to working with our members to make flexible working in voluntary organisations the norm."
