Flexible service impacts and benefits transcript
Updated 28 April 2023
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03.5,09.6
I’m a single parent so my schedule revolves around getting my youngest child Sean to
09.6,15.1
school in the morning. He’s disabled so he needs help with certain things. I’m currently
15.1,20.2
studying a master’s in music, mind and brain, so, music psychology.
20.2,22.7
I had always fancied myself as being a bit
22.7,26.1
of a musician to be honest but never knew how I compared to the guys who do it for a
26.1,30.7
living rather than the guys I met in the air force. Being on flexible service has made
30.7,34.8
such a positive impact to our lives and it means that we can optimise how much time we
34.8,40.4
have with our children. It was an absolute godsend, I had nobody for support to look
40.420,46.3
after my children. The benefits to the unit with me being on flexible service is what
46.3,51.3
I’m going to learn whilst I’m on flexible service to bring back within the unit. The type
51.3,58.2
of flexible service I applied for was the 20% reduction. I applied for a 20% reduction
58.2,01:05.0
in my working hours. I applied for the restricted separation, which limits how long I can be
01:05.0,01:11.5
sent away from my family. Because I’ve opted for the 40% reduction, means I work a 3 day
01:11.5,0:01:15.7
week, it means for the 3 days that I’m at work I’m really motivated, I want to be there,
01:15.7,01:23.0
I’m focussed and I get so much done in those 3 days. I hope to bring an element of my course
01:23.03, 01:28.6
back into the job to help people that may suffer with performance anxiety. She’s taking ownership
01:28.6,01:34.2
of her career but also her quality of life. Other people will see this within the unit
01:34.2,01:38.4
and will see it as a good thing. Flexible working is really important because people
01:38.4,01:45.1
expect more flexibility, for childcare or travel or a bit like Tom doing other interests
01:45.1,01:51.8
like music. Getting that day a week to prep for those gigs, sort my admin out, do any
01:51.8,01:57.4
studio work. It’s been a really good balance and for me it’s just been great. It’s given
01:57.4,02:03.0
me breathing space, I can relax, concentrate on my family, concentrate on work as well
02:03.0,02:09.1
and not have the distraction of having to find a solution to being away from my family
02:09.1,02:10.3
for a long time.