Is this the end of the 9-5?

WORDS: ANNA WHITEHOUSE, FOUNDER OF FLEX APPEAL

Here’s how to make working flexibly your ‘new normal’...

1. Counterbalance employer cynicism with a trial period of flex. Hold the hand of your employer and prove flexible working works by measuring productivity over that period. You can’t argue with facts.

2. In the face of a blanket ‘no’ don’t immediately give up. Form a flexible working group to discuss issues and open the company up to good practice across your industry. We are in a period of transition and everyone has the ability to start a conversation around the link between effective flexible working, closing the gender pay gap and recruiting and retaining a truly diverse workforce.

3. Remember flexible working has to be a two-way process. Ultimately it has to be about productivity and focusing on the business benefits.

4. Consider a job share. Contact Further & More for support and, for any company unsure of how to proceed, look to flexible working consultants Timewise. Connect with others facing the same barriers.

5. If you need legal support or feel you have been discriminated against, try the Working Families free legal helpline and acas.org.uk or flexible working employment firm Osborne & Wise.