Mental Health in the Workplace- What is a Flexible Working Outline
Our shared goal is positive mental health and wellbeing and a productive workplace. We have 4 key areas around Connection, Community, Collaboration and Calm.
World Mental Health Day sees the launch of our Wellness Action Plan and Flexible Working Outline. We have designed this with our staff and single parents are the heart. We want to carve the way for flexible working and share this with our community.
Our Flexible Working Policy is designed to help employees balance their work with the demands of single-parent households, offering a range of flexible options to ensure a work life balance where we thrive in the workplace and in our personal lives.
Why Flexible Working Matters
This Flexible Working Outline prioritises mental wellbeing by allowing flexible accommodations for our team members. SPW believes that everyone should have the right to work in a way that suits their individual needs and circumstances. Whether it's caring for family, managing personal commitments, or addressing mental health, we provide the tools and flexibility to make it possible.
Key Benefits of SPW’s Flexible Working Policy:
Personalised Schedules: Employees can tailor their working hours around personal responsibilities, such as school schedules, caring duties or yoga classes.
Remote Work Options: Flexibility to work from home or adjust working days and hours as needed.
Job Sharing & Reduced Hours: Options for job sharing, splitting shifts, and phased returns after mental health-related leave.
Wellbeing Days: Manage stress proactively with up to 3 Wellbeing Days each year, used when needed.
Mental Health Support: Time off for therapy or counselling sessions, relaxed absence rules for disability-related mental health needs, and regular breaks throughout the workday.
Access to Wellbeing Leads, online mental health support, occupational health and being able to bring in ideas to SPW to make it a more mentally healthy place to work.
Procedures for Flexible Working Requests:
Initial Discussion: When employees join SPW, they work with their manager to create a Flexible Working Outline tailored to their needs. Any non-negotiable commitments, such as weekly team meetings, are communicated upfront.
Request Process: To request changes, employees submit a formal written request, detailing the desired adjustments and how these will impact the business.
Evaluation and Feedback: Managers assess each request on an individual basis, discussing alternatives and trial periods where necessary.
Final Decision: Once evaluated, the outcome is communicated, and employees have the right to appeal if their request is declined.
A Supportive Environment for Wellbeing
Managers at SPW are trained to help employees maintain healthy work-life boundaries, ensuring they are not overwhelmed by emails or meetings outside of their flexible schedules. Regular reviews of each employee's flexible working plan ensure it remains effective and practical.
At SPW, flexible working is more than just a policy – it’s part of our commitment to ensuring employees have the support they need to manage their time effectively while safeguarding their mental health and family responsibilities, all while meeting the operational needs of the organisation.