Model policy

opportunity : Flexible Workplace :
Model policy

1 <Center> recognizes the strategic importance of diversity and that a diverse staff will include staff members at various stages of their life cycles. <Center> is committed to providing a work environment that is sufficiently flexible to accommodate diverse life-cycle challenges, thus ensuring high performance, long term productivity and well-being of staff.

2 <Center> has established a number of policies and practices that provide flexibility in establishing work locations, the number of hours, weeks or months worked each year and in transferring from full-time to other work arrangements. Specifically <Center> is prepared to consider options for staff members, either for a specific period or on an on-going basis, to:

work from an alternative location to their normal <Center> location;
work within a flexible working hours system;
work compressed schedules, i.e. alternatives to working a traditional five-day week;
work days that are designated as holidays and take the equivalent number of days as paid leave on other days during the year;
transfer from full-time to part-time work;
fill jobs on a job-share basis.

Staff may request consideration of a combination of these options.

3 As a general principle, the above options will be considered where they do not impair <Center> long-term productivity. Provided this requirement is met, requests for alternative work locations and/or for flexible working hours, days or months will be considered primarily in terms of their feasibility. Supervisors are required to recognize and respect this principle when considering staff requests for flexibility. When appropriate, flexible working arrangements for individuals or groups may be introduced on a pilot basis, with on-going arrangements decided in light of the results of the pilot exercise.

4 Staff members are encouraged to take advantage of these policies and practices when they may assist in achieving a better balance between work commitments and their personal, family, community or professional commitments.