Today, NCVO and the charity leaders body ACEVO have announced a new taskforce to examine flexible working in the voluntary sector. 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.
Adrian Axtell, National Officer of the leading trade union Community, says:
“We welcome the launch of this new taskforce, and see it as a vital step forward for the third sector.
Over the last year the third sector, working to support people in hardship, has felt the challenges of the pandemic more acutely. It has frequently been the third sector that has been there picking up the pieces and keeping the country together.
Having passion for your work and a desire to make positive social change should not come at the expense of being treated fairly and having a healthy work-life balance. This is not a zero-sum game: having both is possible.
The rise of flexible working is a positive thing. It has been shown to produce happier workers, lower costs and greater productivity. For those with caring or childcare responsibilities, it can be a game changer.
We’re delighted to see this task force examining how we can best incorporate flexible working into our sector, and believe it is important that unions are the voice for workers on this issue. The pandemic has showed us there are benefits to flexible working – it’s time to make this permanent so we can work to live not live to work.”
If you are a member of Community and need help or advice, please contact us at help@community-tu.org or on 0800 389 6332.
© Community Trade Union 2024