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Introducing a flexible working policy

You should inform and consult your employees before you introduce a flexible working policy. This may help them understand how flexible working arrangements may impact your business.

When planning to implement a flexible working policy, you will need to consider the following:

• What flexible working arrangements will suit the business?
• What are the legal requirements?
• How will you deal with applications, eg, who will attend the meetings, and how will the administration work?
• Are there jobs that might be difficult to do under a flexible working arrangement, eg, jobs that don't suit homeworking?
• If there are, what is the nature of the obstacle, and can you perhaps overcome it?
• How flexible are your IT arrangements, eg, can employees access their email away from the workplace?

Flexible working policy templates

The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland has developed a  - you can download and personalise this to your business needs.

The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland also hosts free training courses on flexible working on a regular basis as part of its .

Find out how to set up employment policies for your business.