Flexible Service in the armed forces video transcript
Updated 28 April 2023
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Video Transcript for Flexible Service in the armed forces
0:01.8 - 0:07.4
Flexible Service arrives on the 1 of April 2019, it will introduce new
0:07.4 -0:12.3
flexible working options for regular members of the armed forces. You can
0:12.3 - 0:17.9
apply to work part-time, reducing your work routine by 20 or 40 percent, that’s
0:17.9 - 0:23.1
equating to one or two days in a five-day working week. You can also ask
0:23.1 - 0:28.7
to restrict your separation from home for no more than 35 days a year, you can
0:28.7 - 0:34.9
ask to combine this with part-time work. Why has Flexible Service been introduced?
0:34.9 - 0:40.6
Society is changing, employment markets are increasingly competitive and people
0:40.6 - 0:44.9
want greater choice in how they run their lives. As a result we sometimes
0:44.9 - 0:49.8
lose talented, trained and capable people as they struggle to balance their
0:49.8 - 0:54.7
personal commitments with those expected of regular service. So to keep the right
0:54.7 - 0:59.4
mix of people, Defence must compete in the wider employment market to attract
0:59.4 - 1:05.2
and retain personnel by offering modern and flexible, Terms of Service.
1:05.2 - 1:10.6
How can Flexible Service work in the armed forces? We already know that
1:10.6 - 1:15.9
flexible working works, the flexible duties trial has shown there’s a real
1:15.9 - 1:19.3
appetite for this type of flexibility and that it can be managed.
1:19.3 - 1:25.7
Flexible Service is the next step in the journey. That said it must be planned and
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approved and it’s not guaranteed for those who ask, control mechanisms mean
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that it will only be approved where it can be managed.
1:34.1 - 1:39.3
Applications can be made for any reason but operational capability will come
1:39.3 - 1:42.8
first. The arrangement can be varied, suspended
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or ended if needed and you can still be assigned anywhere. While most benefits
1:47.5 - 1:51.5
are unaffected it’s only right that those reducing their commitment for a
1:51.5 - 1:57.6
time should receive less reward. Flexible Service is not for everyone but it
1:57.6 - 2:01.3
offers more choice to a broad cross-section of the armed forces.
2:01.3 - 2:06.2
It provides a new opportunity to balance busy committed careers with personal
2:06.2 - 2:09.2
responsibilities and changing circumstances.
2:09.2 - 2:15.4
What would you do? To find out more search flexible service on GOV.UK
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or the Ministry of Defence Intranet. Read JSP 750, speak to your Unit HR.