Flexible working
In addition to flexible working policies and 'flexi time', we also offer flexible retirement, where, from the age of 55, you're able to:
- stay in your employment but reduce your hours or grade if desired
- access some or all of the LGPS benefits you've built up to date
How can I request flexible working?
Anyone who works at Luton can make a flexible working request. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve worked here or how many hours you work.
You can usually only make one formal request every 12 months but if things change and you need to make another request, talk to your manager and see what can be arranged.
You may request to work flexibly for any reason, such as:
- reduction of hours for a better work life balance
- change of working pattern to assist with caring responsibilities
- to help with the commute to work
Whatever the reason for your request the council will fulfil its duty to consider it reasonably. Read the flexible working guidelines to find out more.
Flexi time and time off in lieu (TOIL) scheme
Depending on the service, employees are able to adjust their usual working pattern by using the flexi time system.
Employees who work above their normal working hours can take the time owed as ‘time off in lieu’. This time can be used to attend appointments or can be used as time off from work.
Read the flexi time and time off in lieu (TOIL) scheme document (download below).
How can I request flexible retirement?
This process is for guidance only and is subject to change as determined by Luton Council.
The following notes are intended to give managers and employees some help in operating the flexible retirement application process. They are not intended to form part of the policy.
If you're a manager, make sure you've read the application procedure and know exactly what your remit is within your own management structure. Remember that you can only consider a flexible retirement request from one of your team if all of the following criteria are met:
- the employee is or will be aged 55 or over on their proposed flexible retirement date
- there must be zero cost/pension strain to the council on payment of flexible retirement pension benefits - you’ll need to seek confirmation of this via the HR and Payroll Transactions team in advance of making your decision
- the proposed working arrangement will result in at least a 20 per cent reduction in the employee’s gross salary either through a reduction in hours and/or grade from their substantive post
- the proposed working arrangement will meet business/service needs
If you're an employee approaching age 55 or over and are considering making an application for flexible retirement, you're advised to contact your pension provider to obtain an estimate of your pension benefits based on early retirement in the first instance.
This estimate should provide you with an insight into the extent of any actuarial reduction that is likely to apply to your pension in the event that you access your benefits early.
Your annual pension statement (issued annually in August) will also provide a guide to your pension in the event of early retirement. You may need to consider the reduction factors that apply - read appendix 4 in the Retirement process document (download below).
Requests for flexible retirement pension estimates can only be made via your manager but will only be provided to you if agreeing flexible retirement would not incur a cost for Luton Council.
You do not need to make a decision about applying for flexible retirement in order to obtain an early retirement pension estimate.
Employees are advised to fully consider the impact of an application for flexible retirement, taking into account financial liabilities and commitments. Sources of advice include:
- an independent financial advisor
- your bank or building society
- voluntary organisations such as Citizens Advice Bureau or Age Concern
Be aware that once a pension has been agreed and put into place, it cannot be recalculated and an actuarial reduction, once in place, cannot be rescinded.
If you're employee who's considering the flexible retirement option, you should look into the possible impact of future events on pension payments over the longer term. Advice in this respect can be obtained from your pension provider.
You may also wish to consider alternatives to flexible retirement such as a straightforward reduction in contracted hours, or in the situation that there will be an employer cost, consider early retirement or deferral of the date of your flexible retirement.
Further information on flexible retirement arrangements operated by the occupational pension schemes can be found on the following websites: