Flexible working - at what point to mention during recruitment process?

Caffca

bristol_pilot wrote: »

If an interviewee starts talking about work/life balance, time off, flexible working, holidays, doesn't want to come in on Fridays etc - all I will hear is that the person is not work-focussed and the job will be offered to someone else. Ask not what your potential employer can do for you, ask what you can do for your potential employer.

Have to agree with this. If we advertise full time, we need full time. Conversely if we want part-time we advertise that but if we are flexible about how part-time or if we would actually go to full time if the right candidate wanted that then we would include it in our advert.

I have received applications in the past for full time posts saying I want to work for you as I want to reduce my hours and have more time with my family. A big whackwhackoops! Now possibly they meant it would reduce commuting time for them and they didn't actually mean they wouldn't want to work full-time but it's not the way it reads and I'm not going to spend time trying to figure out what they actually meant by the statement.

Be upfront. Otherwise you are just wasting people's time.

Savvy_Sue

That's why I say to ask the question informally before you apply.

I'm sure some companies think beforehand about what they actually need, but not all will publicly advertise how flexible they might be able to be, because they know they will get a good response without that.

However, if a job description for a 24/7 residential facility says that the post includes regular weekend working, please don't expect a great response if you want your preferences not to work a particular day (ever) to be accommodated.

ibelongtoguy

Thanks for everyone's advice.