One option is to change the number or pattern of your working hours - for more information, go to Flexibility. Part-time workThis is the most popular type of ‘flexible’ work. Employees are contracted to work less than the standard, basic, full-time hours. Working ‘half time’ (two-and-a-half days per week) is a common pattern, but employers have increasingly been offering valued workers other alternatives. Part-time work is used by some people as a way to combine work with other responsibilities, to study for higher qualifications or to follow other interests. Some employers operate flexible working practices to allow you to move in and out of part-time work, according to your needs and circumstances. back to top Flexi-timeEmployees on flexi-time have a fixed quota of hours to work. These hours include a standard core of hours, typically in the middle of the day or at the busiest times, agreed with the employer. Provided that they work the core hours, employees can make up the rest of their working hours at times to suit them. back to top Compressed working hoursWith compressed hours, employees work their total contracted working hours in fewer than the usual number of working days. This enables them to save on travel costs and have an extra ‘free’ day or days in lieu of extended hours. back to top Term-time workingEmployees on term-time working have a permanent contract but do not work during school holidays. This arrangement exists mostly, though not exclusively, in the education sector, and allows employees with children of school age to be at home during school holidays. back to top TOIL (Time off in lieu)With TOIL, workers take time off to compensate for extra hours worked. TOIL usually has to be agreed with the employer in advance. back to top Annualised hoursAn annualised hours contract specifies the number of hours to be worked in one year. This pattern originally developed in industries with a seasonal work flow, such as manufacturing, but has extended into retailing, financial services, and health and emergency services. While the majority of shifts are allocated, the remaining hours are kept in reserve so that workers can be called in at short notice as required. Annualised hours can be disruptive and difficult if you have outside commitments, because your working hours will vary. back to top Zero-hours contractsWorkers with zero-hours contracts are not guaranteed any work at all. They are ‘on call’ to work according to the short-term needs of their employer. Initially used in retailing, the practice soon spread to other industries, including healthcare. Supply teaching, in which qualified teachers replace teachers absent through sickness, is a well-established zero-hours contract scheme. This approach is most suitable for people who are genuinely in a position to offer the high level of flexibility needed. back to top V-time workingV-time working is a voluntary agreement in which an employee’s hours are reduced for an agreed period, with a guarantee that full-time employment will become available at a specific date. This might be in response to the needs of either the employer or employee. back to top Holiday purchase schemeThis is a scheme that enables employees to buy an additional number of days’ holiday on top of their annual entitlement. The cost of a day’s holiday depends on the worker’s salary and is deducted from annual pay. There is usually a limit (often ten) to the number of days that can be bought. back to top Holiday work and work experience for studentsStudents can work during holidays, usually to earn money to support their studies and/or to gain work experience (paid or unpaid) relevant to their future career. Contracts for these opportunities vary widely: they may be formal or informal, paid or unpaid. Students need to check their rights. The National Association of Student Employment Services (NASES) and Worksmart have useful helpsheets and advice.
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