The joint NHS trade unions #TalkAboutFlex campaign, launched today, aims to increase awareness of flexible working rights and benefits and encourage positive action by staff and employers.
We believe flexible working provides an important opportunity to address the staffing crisis across the NHS, helping to attract and retain staff.
RCN National Officer Gill Morgan has been involved in the work. She said: “With so many options, flexible working isn’t just for people with caring responsibilities, or those in non-clinical roles. Whatever your job, flex can help you to manage your commitments and wellbeing, and create a better work-life balance.”
Changes were introduced in the new section 33 of the NHS terms and conditions of service handbook in 2021 to enhance rights for flexible working, and its critical role was recognised in the NHS Long Term Workforce plan. However, there are still gaps in awareness, areas of poor practice, and barriers and misperceptions. Last year more than 30,000 people left their NHS role due to work-life balance.
Gill added: “This campaign is aimed at staff working in the NHS, but the principles apply wherever you work.”
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