What is 'Smart Working' and how to negotiate it more clearly at offer stage

[gertinthebackofthevan]

I've been offered a job and have asked for a list of benefits and the contract to review before accepting.

Contract states 9 to 5.30 core hours but benefits list 'working in a hybrid/smart way'

I've read a bit about 'smart working' which suggests it's more flexible then these core hours?

So

1. Anyone know what 'smart working' is in a civil service context?

2.how would you go about asking for a bit more flex then 9 to 5:30? Maybe a chat with hr and then a follow up email? Ideally I'd like to negotiate starting work early one day a week to allow me to do one school pickup a week.

been in same job for years so not done this before don't know if I'm overstepping the mark.

Fine to question it now and ask for intormation on the department’s current hybrid/flexible working policy, for your information.

Is it a specific role or ‘bulk’ recruitment? if the former your line manager should be able to advise.

The concept of smart working in .civil Service is that people have laptops to enable them to be more agile, able to work in many locations rather than being a fixed bum in a seat as it used to be until relatively recently.

COVID struck and everyone worked from home due to the pandemic, but now we are out of that, people have taken it to its limit and want to wfh most of the time.

In your discussions for a Civil Service job, I'd work on the basis that smart working means being flexible, and having the ability to work some days at home, but legislate for more days spent in the office than at home. Whatever it was during COVID, it isn't that now, so I wouldn't advise you to apply for a job that you can't get to easily, assuming you can wfh, because you'd be setting yourself up for a challenging time if they need you on site 60% of the week which is the current directive.

Interesting as they have told me it's two days a week in office. I suppose I need that 100% clarified as it would be a deal breaker.

The literature I've read on smart working suggests it's more then just location ...that it's also a view that hours worked can be more flexible as long as work gets done? Sounds like in civil service they have not taken it as far as that?

It wasn't a bulk recruitment I was the only one selected for a specific role . new sector for me hence all questions...I did think public sector was known for being flexible but so far with those core hours looks much less flexible then private sector.

As others have said, ask specifically for what flex you’re looking for and then make sure it’s recorded in writing before you accept.

It’s a myth that all public sector jobs offer more flex than private sector equivalents. There can be more scrutiny because it’s usually harder to performance manage people out.

We offer little flexibility on in office time. It’s also the reason we’re currently struggling to recruit and retain talent.

Not civil service but in my local Council Smart working means using workspaces in any of the council offices.
So it's a hotdesking type arrangement but not confined to a single office. So you can work in the "Work Smart" space in any of the council offices

Civil service is 40% in the office but moves to 60% from next week, well in my unit anyway but I think it’s civil service wide as it’s a ministry decision. It’s caused a big hoo haa. Smart working for us means hot desks and you can work from another unit….

Helpful thank you. This has definitely given me guidance for asking the right questions. Thanks all.