Flexible working arrangements

Galbin

I recently saw an advertisement for a role with a pharmaceutical firm. The advert stated that one of the perks of the job was "flexible working arrangements". However, I am unfamiliar with this company. Is there any general definition of flexible working in Ireland? Generally, does this refer to time of day one works or is it more related to working from home?

Thanks.

Irish_Elect_Eng

Flexible working normally refers to the hours.
Remote working normally refers to the location.

There is no standardized form of flexible working, it is very company specific.

seamus

Flexible working arrangements usually means that they're happy to let you come in late and leave late or vice-versa.

As the man above says, there is no set definition, it may also mean that the company is amenable to people working from home when they need to.

My general experience of flexible working arrangements is that it's very much a matter of coming and going as you please, there's nobody watching any clocks. Provided you get your work done, nobody cares how many hours you're sitting at your desk. But there's a general expectation that you'll still be contactable and available during normal working hours, regardless of what time you started or finished work that day.

Working from home is a matter of just letting someone know the day before (or even that morning) - for example if you need to wait for a plumber or a delivery. But if it's to become a regular or permanent arrangement, you'll need someone to green-light it.

Sometime it mean there are core hours say 8 to 6 and as long as you do your hours it can be any in that time frame, one of my sisters have even negotiated to start at 7.30.

GalwayGrrrrrl

I worked for a Pharma company in the U.K. with flexible working. We had core hours- 10-12 and 2-4. Outside that you could work however you liked, as long as you did the correct number of hours per month. Flexi hours (extra hours) couldn't be carried over to next month. Our department had an element of phone duties so we had fixed hours for a day when you were on phone duty but the rest of the week was flexible around meetings, home life, gym at lunchtime etc. It was brilliant!