Barclays plc, Finalist 2014, The National Grid Best for Flexible Working Award
Barclays’ aim is to foster an organisational culture where flexible working is recognised, appreciated and valued, because it sees the benefits it brings in productivity, responsiveness to customer and client needs and the attraction and retention of talent. Flexible working is seen as standard practice, and employees have a comprehensive suite of working patterns, including remote working, flexible hours, job-sharing and part-time working. Arrangements are informal and formal. Employees can draw on resources and helplines to help them put forward business-case- aligned requests to line managers, and managers are empowered to make decisions on requests.
Barclays offers flexible working opportunities from day one, with all roles eligible for flexible working (for both current and prospective employees). Barclays’ own careers site showcases the variety of locations, environments and job styles on offer. Resourcing teams proactively engage with their external recruitment partners to ensure they fully understand the inclusive ethos and act as they would expect when sourcing candidates, enabling the bank to recruit from an expanded pool. Flexible working is not the preserve of those with caring responsibilities: employees can choose to work flexibly for any reason.
Barclays has a particular commitment to promoting job-shares, and has revamped its internal job-share register. The bank has committed to the goal of having all UK Retail and Business banking roles being open to job-share applicants, with support from the most senior levels. Employees interested in job-sharing are able to search for a job-share partner, and to access tools and resources to help them find out more about how job-sharing works.
The commitment to flexible working is reiterated throughout Barclays, in a variety of ways. Through blogs, in-house magazines and online messaging, as well as leader-led engagement events, examples of policies and practices in action are highlighted. This helps to drive home the message that flexibility is for all, regardless of grade or role, and that flexible working is no impediment to career success. Internal networks (such as the Working Families and Carers networks) offer support and opportunities for employees and act as promoters of flexible working arrangements.