We’re proud of the work we’ve done to deliver innovative flexibility for forward-looking organisations of all shapes and sizes.
Click on the client logos to find out how we've worked together to change their workplaces for the better.
In a programme co-designed with Build UK, Timewise piloted flexible working in site-based teams at four leading construction firms. The results have proved that flexibility can be implemented successfully, despite the sector’s significant operational barriers.
“Previously there was an ‘all or nothing’ approach, but now we are keeping people in the workplace a bit longer by being able to provide better balance at the later stages of their career.”
“The training Timewise delivered has provided the team with invaluable knowledge, skills and tools in flexible working, job design and job carving. It has provided the team with the confidence to engage and influence a wide range of employers to re-consider their hiring practices which in turn will help us to reach our aims of opening up a greater variety of jobs for potentially disadvantaged job seekers in Barking and Dagenham and beyond.”
Gemma Connelly, Employment Brokerage Manager, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
“Working in partnership with Timewise to expand our flexible working practice was a real success. It was so helpful to have an external insight into our flexible status and what we needed to do next, and we felt confident about being guided by their expertise. As well as hands-on support for each of the programme stages and events, they were responsive and helpful with any questions or issues we uncovered, and felt like a part of our extended team.”
Natalie Marshall, Head of Operational HR, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
With business lines ranging from call centres to nuclear power operators, EDF needed a framework for flexible working that could be tailored to the specific needs of each. We supported this work with full-day training workshops on flexible job design for partners across all parts of the business.
Driven by a determination to be the best employer possible, Goodman Masson became a Timewise Partner in 2017. We have worked with them to explore their appetite for flexibility, think about how to make it work for them and then carry out an initial pilot. They are now looking to roll out the pilot across the business.
“At Google, we’ve been an advocate of flexible working for our employees for some time and there are a number of practices we’ve put in place to establish a successful flexible working approach across our business that encompasses all employees. We worked with Timewise, a leading flexible working consultancy, to shape our approach to policies.” Alison Lomax, Director, Lifestyle Retail, Google.
Our long-standing collaboration with GEO includes the development of a set of Best Practice Guidance for employers who are considering implementing a returner programme.
We have been working with Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust for a number of years. Together, we are currently collaborating with the Centre for Ageing Better on a project aimed at supporting their over 50s workforce to better access the benefits flexible working brings.
Having followed our Accreditation programme, Hackney is now officially recognised as a Timewise Council. We have worked with them to develop an Inclusive Employer development programme, looking at flexibility and disability and they are currently working with us to create a pilot for part-time apprenticeships.
Government of Jersey were seeking to improve diversity, recruitment and retention by developing a systemic approach to flex. Here’s how our Flex Positive Programme helped them do just that.
Read the case study.
“We thoroughly enjoyed working in partnership with the Timewise team. Their independent and professional approach applied a laser-like focus to the issue and gave us a much richer insight than we could have achieved alone.” Lesley Ballantyne, Partner Proposition and Experience Director
Having followed our Accreditation programme, Lambeth is now officially recognised as a Timewise Council. They have driven innovative work around incorporating flexibility into their supply chain and taking a place-based approach to improving job opportunities for those needing flexibility.
Linklaters has been a Timewise Partner since 2014. Over that time we have acted as expert advisers on a range of projects, helping the firm design develop and implement a best practice approach to flexible working. More recently, we have been exploring the importance of mutual responsibility when developing the culture and behaviours of a flexible workplace.
One of the first Timewise Partners, Lloyd Banking Group has been working with us since 2014 to develop their flexible hiring strategy. Their radical approach, which includes setting ‘agile working’ as a default in all job adverts, saw them win our inaugural award for flexible hiring in 2018’s Power 50.
“Working with Timewise was a pleasure. They understood our requirements for a diagnostic, worked collaboratively with a number of parts of our organisation and delivered a clear report with a number of areas we will be able to take forward. Would absolutely collaborate with Timewise again.”
HRD, London Fire Brigade HQ
“London Stock Exchange Group has partnered with Timewise to develop a strong business case to enable us to embed flexible working across our Diversity & Inclusion and Wellbeing frameworks. We have continued to work with them during the pandemic, to help shape our response, and look forward to further strengthening our partnership as we continue to promote flexibility and embed new ways of working across our business.”
David Littlechild, Head of Culture, Engagement and Inclusion
“Timewise brought a credibility to the process we wouldn’t have had if we had done it alone. The concepts, case studies and examples they worked through with us shaped our thinking, and gave our managers the confidence to explore and develop workable solutions.” Sam McVeigh, Head of Workforce Strategy. Accredited in 2018
“We worked with Timewise to explore the flex working options in our control centre – a 24-7 operation with shift based staff. It’s a high pressure environment where it’s challenging to recruit and retain the right expertise. Through speaking to staff, looking at external comparators and understanding our systems, Timewise were able to help us identify several options to take forward in the short and long term. Their models and examples helped us understand how we could move forward and we are now undertaking trials of a new approach.”
Ben Young, Power System Manager, National Grid Electricity System Operator
The turnover rate for care workers is high, so attracting and retaining people in these roles is key to providing a good service. Flexible working is more in demand than ever and is one of the top considerations for employees and job candidates.
We engaged social care providers across Norfolk, helping them to identify opportunities to offer greater flexibility to their workforces, through training on flexible job design and hiring flexibly. We delivered a Train the Trainer programme for the Care Careers team at Norfolk County Council to build their knowledge and understanding, and they are now continuing this work with providers, influencing practice and driving more flexible working opportunities for the social care workforce across the county.
“Your knowledge and ability to tailor the support to our objectives has been brilliant. We were really impressed that Amy took the time to really understand adult social care and have acknowledged the challenges providers face rather than it being a ‘sell’ for flexible working, helping to work through operational considerations to enable understanding and buy in.”
Helen Wright, External Workforce Manager, Norfolk Care Careers Team, Norfolk County Council
Pets at Home had identified an issue around high attrition rates for female employees, and came to us to try and turn things around. Having identified that the lack of flexible working opportunities for managers was a barrier to female progression, we worked with leaders to design and deliver a pilot of flexible and part-time roles at store management level, and provided training to make sure it was implemented successfully.
Santander joined forces with us in 2019, initially asking us to run an influence and engagement session with senior leaders from their European offices, to highlight the opportunities that flexible working can bring to future facing employers. Next steps include the development of a new global framework to embed the principles more widely.
Shell were referred to us in 2018 to evaluate and enhance their approach to flexible working. We worked with them to carry out an in-depth review into flexible attitudes and appetite, including focus groups with staff, 121 conversations with leaders and an in-depth review of their policies.
Shell have subsequently implemented our recommendations in full, including building a comms strategy for sharing flexible employees’ stories in impactful ways, and creating line manager and employee toolkits to help bust myths, explore possibilities and have meaningful conversations. They have also set up line manager clinics to support the development of a more flexible culture.
In a programme co-designed with Build UK, Timewise piloted flexible working in site-based teams at four leading construction firms. The results have proved that flexibility can be implemented successfully, despite the sector’s significant operational barriers.
“We recognise that some ways of working are just not possible for site teams, but we are trying to work with them to enable other forms of flexibility.”
Read the full report.
“Our work with Timewise has upped the volume on flexible working within the Wessex Institute. The team really understood what we needed and worked carefully and collaboratively with us to deliver it. From supporting the development of our strategic vision and action planning to designing masterclasses and writing publicity material, they have been a critical partner on our journey towards greater flexibility. I would certainly recommend working with Timewise, and indeed, I already have.” Dr Ruth Pullen, Assistant Director – Finance, People & Business Services, Wessex Institute, University of Southampton
“Participating in the Retail Pioneers programme has broadened our perspective on flexibility and encouraged us to think differently about how we work. We hope this pilot can be used to help us offer managers more flexible working options, so they can achieve the right balance between work-life and home-life.” Sharon Kyte, People Operations Manager for large stores, Tesco
Unilever asked us to support the development of their Global Maternity Wellbeing Standards. We began by talking to HR practitioners from a number of countries to identify the issues standing in the way of flexible working. We then distilled this information into a set of flexible working guidelines, including case studies and examples of good practice, to help local teams support returning mothers.
WaterAid has been a Timewise Partner since 2018. Projects include the creation of a framework for designing and developing their flexible working principles, and an employee webinar explaining how flexible working supports mental health and well-being. We have also delivered targeted training for their HR team and senior managers on supporting and managing flexible employees.
“Timewise’s support has been invaluable. They have helped us to think differently about how to make jobs truly flexible, got the senior team really engaged and have brought the concept of flexible working to life in a way that helps everyone buy into it.” John Quinn, Executive Director of Corporate Services, City of Westminster Council, Timewise Accredited Council since 2017.
Wickes have had real success in making entry-level in-store roles more flexible, but they had become aware that access to flexible management roles was very limited, and that their managers were finding it challenging to fit their responsibilities into their allocated hours.
We worked with the Wickes team to design, trial and evaluate a six-month pilot across 14 Wickes stores. This saw us supporting the managers to redesign their working patterns, with some opting to work four longer days in-store, and others flexing their hours across the week in a way that suited their lives.
Read more.
In a programme co-designed with Build UK, Timewise piloted flexible working in site-based teams at four leading construction firms. The results have proved that flexibility can be implemented successfully, despite the sector’s significant operational barriers.
“The headline for us is to attract, retain, develop and promote the best people, and in order to do this we need to offer agile or flexible working. Our leaders understand that the next generation of leaders are looking for a company with purpose, and expect diversity as a given. Flexible working is one of the things that will help us improve our diversity, especially gender diversity.”
Read the full report.
“We have made some fantastic improvements in supporting our staff to access flexible working and this has shown in the positive improvements we have seen in our staff survey this year. Our partnership with Timewise over the last two years has been instrumental in enabling this.”
Jenni Carr-Smith, HR Business Partner – Health, Wellbeing & Flexible Working
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