NHS workers/HR/Payroll staff- advice please on hours!

[4pmwinetimebebeh]

Hello,

Within the NHS can anyone tell me if you are able to have 'random' hours contracts? By random I mean an irregular number but the same every week not different hours different weeks IYSWIM. I've worked full time (37.5 hours a week) and part time (22.5 and 30 hours a week) however a job is coming up and in an ideal world I'd like to do three long days which would equate to 33 hours a week. When I was full time I did 3 LD for 3 weeks then 4 LD for the fourth week to make up the missed hours but due to childcare etc I don't really want to do that.

Is this possible in the NHS if the manager agrees or is it always 7.5/15/22.5/30/37.5 across the week? Obviously appreciate it would be at the discression of the manager and they may say no but thought I would just find out if its a possibility before asking.

Thanks!!

Yes it's perfectly possible, I work in the NHS and have colleagues who work term time only, 9 day fortnights etc flexibility is encouraged in lots of teams. However, it's does depend on the team/service

Thanks all. I know the NHS is really pushing for more flexible working and I always thought it was just lip service but really interesting that it has worked out for people and there is more flexibility!

Also remember you need to take legally required breaks and they’re not paid.

I do 18.75 so 0.5WTE. Our shifts are 7.5hrs so I do 2 days one week and 3 the next to balance it out.

Thanks for all the replies!

For anyone in HR/recruitment or who have negotiated- do you lay your cards on the table at interview unprompted, or do you wait for an offer and negotiate from there? I don’t want to look like an idiot talking about hours if they’re sat there thinking ‘we are never going to hire you’ but equally I don’t want to nod along then be offered something and say yes but on condition of XYZ (unless that’s normal!)

I work full time and tend to wait until they love me/I’ve proven my abilities before asking for compressed hours/flexible working.