What do you mean, part-time, flexible hours

as in, what exactly do you mean?

Hello all,

Today I’m talking about part-time, flexible, hybrid - all those things and what does it mean?

Last week, we received an application from a candidate for a full-time marketing executive role in a fintech business based in Bristol. Reviewing the application, we discovered the candidate wanted to work from 10 am to 4 pm, Thursday to Sunday. The job was advertised as full-time, Monday to Friday. So, in this case, it is not a match for this applicant at all. And, if I’m honest, it's a bit of a waste of everyone’s time here. But, of course, flexibility in the jobs market is better than ever. So, if you are a candidate or an employer who wants this, knowing how to navigate it is vital from the get-go.

And I can’t remember the last time I interviewed a candidate who had NO request/preference/requirement for flexible working at least (hybrid/remote/part-time or a combination of all of them)

Define your boundaries

Flexible and part-time can mean anything at all!

Many people have created a working pattern for their particular needs and requirements with their employers and that’s brilliant. To replicate it very specifically may not be quite so easy, but hats off to everyone who knows what’s not negotiable and what is. For employers, it’s all about knowing where your boundaries lie, defining them and ensuring that there’s equity across your workforce. And for applicants, treating flexible and part-time work like a free-for-all never works (I’m sorry, I do have to be honest with you here!). However, thoughtful negotiation can be effective at the right point in the application process. And if the employer has stated that they are open to flexible work patterns, then read the job specs carefully to understand what this means for them and what’s possible for you.

Also, be clear in your mind about your own non-negotiables as an applicant. What’s set in stone and what are you open to discussing? That clarity will really help the recruiter match you with the right kind of vacancies.

Whatever you do, don’t presume that you will be able to negotiate a different working pattern to the one advertised in the role. Please don’t enter into the negotiation AFTER a job offer has been made, as it’s not the right time and sends off the wrong signals to your new employer. Just talk about it during the process, or better still, right up front.

If you have non-negotiables, that’s totally okay. The employer probably has some too.

Here are some examples to get you thinking:

• Part-time can mean 5 hours a day over 5 days or 9 am - 5.30 pm x 3 days a week. For some, it can mean a 9-day fortnight or a 4 pm finish on a Thursday for football.
• Flexibility can mean simply being able to do the school drop-off starting at 9.15 am instead of 9.00 am and the candidate is happy to have 45 minutes for lunch instead of an hour, so the same hours are worked.
• Flexible to other people is a 37.5 hours a week contract, no set hours, fully remote and with no expectation to meet the team or travel to client meetings.

We also have candidates registered with us here at Moxie and Mettle who work for businesses overseas in different time zones. For example, one candidate works from 12 noon to 7.30 pm to accommodate her clients outside of the UK, which suits her perfectly as she likes to spend mornings at the gym and walking.

More resources for you

There are some very useful websites, Facebook groups, organisations and recruiters specialising in part-time and flexible working people; email me at liz@lizgadd.co.uk for a one-pager with all the links.

One organisation in particular that champions flexible working is Flexible Working People, led by Katy Fridman. It is well worth connecting with Katy and following her work.

The law is changing so that flexible working can be requested on day one of employment, rather than after 26 weeks. However, candidates, please be aware…that doesn’t mean that it will be granted. The business will have thought about the business needs when starting their recruitment process, so they already have the answer to what hours are needed for the role to perform for the business. So they can say no…don’t presume every flexible working request will be agreed to. ACAS have all the facts, so both employers and employees can check all the information before a conversation is entered into…highly recommend all parties do so!

Thanks for reading The Good, The Gadd and The Ugly, as always I am here if you’d like to chat, just send me an email and we can set up a time. Feel free to share the newsletter with anyone who may benefit from it.

Take care,

Liz

Liz Gadd | 07377 400413 | liz@lizgadd.co.uk | www.linktr.ee/lizgadd

Elizabeth Willetts is the Founder of?Investing in Women?- a female-empowering job board and community helping family-friendly AND forward-thinking employers hire professionals looking for fulfilling flexible and part-time work. She is an experienced Recruiter with over 17 years of experience - both in-house at one of the Big 4 and from one of the UK's largest recruitment agencies. Elizabeth is also a mum to two daughters - Emily and Annabelle (and a Labradoodle called Dougal). She is a passionate believer in the power of part-time and flexible work to retain women in the workplace and close the gender pay gap. Her debut book,?Flex?- a dynamic guide for anyone wanting to build a successful career on their terms is due out in January 2025.

Elizabeth’s LinkedIn profile ?and LinkedIn page is here.

Virtual Assistants tend to work for several clients at a time with very flexible schedules for each client, so perfect for those that are looking for flexibility. Our own lovely Louise Cummins is a top class VA, here’s some information about her services if you are looking for support.

Flexible working

Working flexibly allows me to maintain a work/life flow around my family, friends and a business I love.? It allows me to prioritise my personal life without sacrificing my business goals.? Having the flexibility to choose my hours, location of work and who I work with, dramatically enhances my creativity and productivity.

Time management and planning are essential to successful flexible working!? My top tips:

Set clear goals which are achievable and time-bound

Set boundaries/defined work hours – without clear boundaries, the lines often get blurred, causing stress/overwhelm

Prioritise tasks to focus on those that truly matter

Flexible/fluid schedule. Ensure time buffers are built into your schedule to allow for any ad hoc issues that may arise.

Automate repetitive tasks.

Project management tools are an excellent way to collaborate, set deadlines and track progress

Communication is key - regular check-ins with clients to keep workflows running smoothly

In her own word’s this is what Louise can help you with.

“Working with ambitious entrepreneurs and business owners looking to scale their business and create a life that?lights?them?up. Whether you need support in designing and optimising systems and processes to streamline your business operations, reducing your workload while building a strong foundation for growth, or assistance with managing your calendar, organising events, and handling day-to-day tasks, I will ensure that every detail of your professional and personal life is seamlessly managed. My goal is to create a smooth, effortless flow in every aspect of?your?business”

https://elegant-efficiencies.co.uk for more information and to connect with Louise.

If you have a service or a business that is useful to my connections (marketing, PR, digital, creative, communications, events and social media professionals or those hiring those people (so agency heads, heads of marketing, PR and comms in businesses) feel free to get in touch at liz@lizgadd.co.uk and we can feature you in one of the newsletters.