A new working group to look at the issue of flexible working in the charity sector is being launched by membership bodies NCVO and ACEVO with support from Starfish Search, an executive search firm
The issue of flexible working has become all the more crucial due to the rise in home working during the pandemic. A recent survey of charity professionals found that 90% wanted flexible working to continue long-term, and 43% said that they would never apply for a job that was entirely office-based. Yet, the research also raised concerns, with 72% admitting they worked longer hours at home and that boundaries between home and work were a challenge.
The working group will address some of the barriers and stigma about flexible working as well as sharing examples of good practice across the sector. It will be chaired by Becky Hewitt, former chief executive of Changing Faces, and will include up to ten members from across the voluntary sector who have a diversity of experiences and views to share. The group will report their findings later this year, which will include signposting to key resources on flexible working to support voluntary organisations. People interested in taking part are invited to apply by 10 September 2021.
Becky Hewitt, chair of the Flexible Working Group, said:
When I first started thinking about becoming a CEO – my single biggest anxiety was that conversation about flexible working. While I did work a four-day week, I heard from so many in the sector who were concerned about balancing work with their role as parents, as carers, or with supporting their own physical or mental health.
At a time when we need a diverse pool of exceptional, motivated, passionate leaders more than ever, we urgently need to change our attitude to flexible working. The pandemic has shown that people can work flexibly and effectively but we have to learn from people’s experiences and encourage employers to embed flexible working in a way that works for everyone.
Sarah Vibert, interim chief executive, NCVO, said:
I know from personal experience, home-schooling two young children while in a charity leadership role during the pandemic, how important flexibility at work can be. Genuinely flexible working arrangements that respond to individual circumstances such as those who have caring responsibilities, physical or mental health conditions or to support staff wellbeing more broadly brings huge benefits to individuals and organisations. Flexibility is central to inclusion.
We are now at a key moment when many NCVO members are telling us they want to make permanent changes to working arrangements. I hope the work of this new group will encourage organisations to engage staff openly in conversations around formalising flexible working and how we can move beyond well-intended policies to make it work in practice.
But flexible working can’t just be about individual employers. It is important that a wider culture across the voluntary sector embraces the opportunities that flexible working can bring.
Vicky Browning, chief executive, ACEVO, said:
At ACEVO, we have been hearing a lot from members who are interested in implementing a more flexible workplace at their organisations, especially as the pandemic forced many of us into new ways of working.
As boundaries between the office and the home, and personal and professional are increasingly more blurred, and civil society urgently needs to be more inclusive, now is the time for sector leaders to start positive conversations and better understand what flexible working really means, what tools we need to implement it, and how to best support our colleagues.
Katy Giddens, director, Starfish Search, said:
The pandemic has created a seismic shift in remote and flexible working that has challenged many conventional assumptions of work design and organisational norms that now need to be consolidated into the future. As many charities transition to a hybrid or remote working model in the longer term, it offers more scope than ever before for leaders as well as their teams to embrace and role model agile ways of working.
However, it is not without complexity and, as both as recruiters and as employers, we need to ensure we embrace all the opportunity flexibility offers to access a broader talent pool while ensuring it remains a route to inclusivity for all, not just some.
If you would like further information or an interview about the Flexible Working Group, please contact Gemma Davidson at gemma.davidson1@icloud.com or 07986 396 571.
ENDS
NCVO/ACEVO are looking for up to ten people to form a working group to consider the issue of flexible working in the charity sector. The group should reflect a wide diversity of reasons people look for flexibility; experience of barriers to being offered flexible roles; organisational roles, position or expertise.
Working group members will be asked to:
Anyone interested in applying to be part of the Flexible Working Group should send an application of no more than 150 words covering their name, position, organisation, motivation for joining the group and what they would hope to contribute, by Friday 10 September to joanna.gray@ncvo.org.uk.
NCVO is the largest membership organisation for the voluntary sector in England. With over 16,500 members, NCVO represents all types of organisations, from large ‘household name’ charities to small voluntary and community groups involved at the local level. We are also the lead body for volunteering in England. To find out more visit www.ncvo.org.uk.
ACEVO’s vision is for civil leaders to make the biggest possible difference. Together with our network of over 1,600 members, we inspire and support civil society leaders through connection, skills and influence. Our members drive positive change in their organisations and in their communities, and our peer-to-peer network supports and encourages them at every step of their career.
We offer our members networking and learning events; exclusive access to personal development opportunities and mentoring tailored to senior leadership roles; helplines for immediate expert advice; discounted professional services delivered by our partners, and advice and support when it is needed the most. Through our influencing work we help to shape the agenda on issues that matter to our members, and ensure their voices are heard by those who have the power to effect change. Membership is open to charity and social enterprise chief executives.
Find out more on the ACEVO website or by emailing info@acevo.org.uk.
Starfish Search is an executive search and interim talent business with a strong commitment to social purpose. The deep experience of our team reaches across a range of sectors including charities, housing, the broader not for profit sector, socially responsible business, local and central government and health and social care. We bring particular expertise in recruiting leaders to organisations which are looking to make a step change in their impact and in supporting the transition of talent between private, public and not for profit.
[1] The Future of Work Report 2021, Blackbaud Europe in partnership with The Resource Alliance.