Flexible Working Policy

Noble Harbour is committed to achieving a high level of professional service and we recognise that to do so we need a highly trained, skilled and motivated team of personnel.

The practice is working towards the promotion of diversity; and recognises that flexible working is a key factor in achieving greater diversity. Flexibility functions to attract and retain highly skilled personnel, as it recognises that all individuals work most effectively when they are able to manage an appropriate balance between work commitments and other aspects of their lives.

Therefore Noble Harbour has committed to operating a flexible working policy, as befits a legal practice of its size and nature of business.

• The practice will offer employment opportunities which will be deemed suitable for flexible working arrangements, unless objective and sound business reasons demonstrate otherwise.
• Any form of flexible working must meet the needs of the practice and the needs of the individual, and all changes will result form a mutual negotiation process between the applicant and the manager.
• All personnel and prospective personnel will be treated equally in the consideration of requests for flexible working conditions; and all requests will be considered on an individual, merits- based form of assessment.
• All personnel affected by requested changes will be consulted prior to the confirmation of a decision and a consistent approach will feature in all such decisions taken.
• Any personnel choosing flexible working conditions will not be subject to any discrimination in relation to further opportunities for promotion at work.
• Any adjustment to pay and benefits linked to the adoption of a flexible working practice will be fully understood and agreed by the applicant.
• Any contractual changes which may occur as a result of the adoption of flexible working arrangements will be subject to careful consideration.

Current options for flexible working, having regard to the size and nature of the business are:

• Part-time hours ( a set number of hours worked over a set number of days per week)
• Flexitime hours ( a total number of hours arranged over a daily core period, e.g. between 10 am and 3pm )
• Reduced hours (normally for a set period of time, usually in response to a temporary change in circumstances)

However, these options are open to re-evaluation and adaptation as a part of the natural expansion of the practice. It is envisaged that healthy and successful growth is essentially organic in nature, and as such the development of the practice will, to a significant degree, depend upon the basis of the strengths and efficiency of its personnel.