Flexible Jobs

Finding the best flexible jobs

Perhaps you’re not currently at work, or are looking to find a new, more flexible role. The good news is that employers are increasingly recognising the benefits of having a more flexible workforce – not least because it reduces their office costs.

The signs are, too, that flexible workers are often more productive and happier in their work.

That means there are now more jobs to choose from, especially jobs with flexible hours. workingmums.co.uk have a huge range of flexible part time and full time roles, from homeworking to school-hours contracts and term-time-only work.

Most jobs boards will let you filter roles according to the type of flexibility you’re looking for.

See also:

• Finding a new flexible job
• How to stay positive when searching for a flexible job

Flexible working after maternity leave

There are two ways to ask for flexible hours when returning from maternity leave.The first way is to make a general request.

Your employer is under a duty to consider the request and can only refuse the request if there are good reasons for not being able to accommodate the hours you asked for e.g. it is not possible to properly do your job on fewer days.

If their refusal of your request is unreasonable then you could claim sex discrimination. If they do not provide you with a clear reason, then you could therefore appeal their decision and ask them to reconsider, and if they refuse again, to fully explain their reasons for the refusal. The other way to request a change in hours is through the flexible working rights under the Employment Rights Act 1996.

Employers must follow a set procedure and will only be able to refuse a request where there is a recognised business ground for doing so.

There are strict time limits that must be followed in this procedure and a meeting must be held with you to discuss your request.

If your employer fails to follow the procedure or does not give proper business reasons for refusing your request then you can claim compensation.

To make a flexible working request you must satisfy certain conditions

Click here to find out what these conditions are.

Flexible working through self-employment

If you’re keen to get complete control of how and when you work, have you considered becoming your own boss?

Thousands of parents turn to self-employment every year. Whether you have an idea for a start-up business, you’re retraining as a plumber or electrician, or setting up as a freelancer, you could find that self-employment is the key to child-friendly working hours.

It’s easy to register as self-employed with HMRC, but do consider the implications of leaving employment before taking the plunge.

It can be harder to get a mortgage if you’re self-employed and you’ll be fully responsible for paying into your own pension.

You might also lose valuable benefits like private healthcare. The other risk with self employment is that your income is likely to be unsteady, with peaks and troughs – and possibly minimal profits in the early months.

If you’re certain that self employment is the right path, one area to consider is the world of franchising. workingmums.co.uk features lots of franchise opportunities of various sizes. These businesses are tried and tested, and on purchasing a licence you’re buying support and expertise from the franchisee.

For more, take a look at our franchise pages.