Work That Works: How Flexibility and Part-Time Roles Can Keep People Employed

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What happens when life throws you a curveball - illness, caring for a loved one, or simply needing more balance - and your job doesn’t bend with you? For millions, this is a daily reality. And the need for better support to stay in work has never been more urgent. 

• Over 7 million UK workers are juggling work and caring responsibilities¹. 
• Around 600 unpaid carers leave the workforce every day because they can’t sustain both roles². 
• 8.2 million people in the UK of working age live with work limiting health conditions³.
• More than 300,000 people leave work each year due to health issues—and many never return⁴. 
• An ageing population and rising mental health challenges are only adding to the pressure. 

So, how can we better support people to stay in work that works for them? And just as importantly, how can we help them return when they’re ready? 

Part-time Works: The Podcast 

The latest special series of Part-time Works: The Podcast dives into these questions. Through real stories from people balancing work with caring responsibilities or managing long-term health conditions, the series sheds light on the challenges - and the practical solutions - that can drive real change. 

Whether you're living this reality or you're an employer looking to do better, this series is a must-listen. 

Challenges in securing part-time work 

Although 1 in 4 people in the UK work part-time, only 1 in 56 job advertisements mention part-time options⁵. While flexible working has gained traction in recent years, there’s still significant progress to be made in challenging the stigma surrounding part-time roles. 

Among the few jobs that do offer part-time hours, most cluster around the £20k salary range - before being pro-rated. This highlights a clear shortage of high-quality, skill-appropriate part-time opportunities that align with the diverse talent pool actively seeking them. 

It’s time for employers to rethink the traditional 9–5 model. As ways of working continue to evolve, it’s worth asking whether certain roles truly require full-time hours. And if they do, job sharing presents a powerful alternative - offering not just one, but two individuals the chance to thrive. 

Thriving in part-time work 

Thriving in part-time work despite health challenges or caregiving duties is possible with the right workplace flexibility, empathy, and support. 

Openness to change is key. Rethinking job roles and adapting to evolving needs can mean the difference between someone thriving or leaving the workforce in their time of need. 

What more can be done to help? 

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This simple yet powerful reflection highlights that work is about more than simply financial reward; it’s a source of purpose, structure, and wellbeing. 

While UK carers have some legal protections like Emergency Leave and the Carers Leave Act, these are often unpaid - offering flexibility without financial security. Similarly, people with long-term health conditions can request reasonable adjustments and flexible working from day one, but many still fall through the cracks. 

What’s missing? A stronger bridge between health and employment - like vocational rehabilitation - and, crucially, a workplace culture that embraces flexibility. Policies are only effective when managers understand them, and leaders model them. When people feel safe to speak up about their needs, everyone benefits. 

Your role in the change 

If you're one of the millions balancing work, health, and care every day - know your rights. Ask for flexibility. Speak up for change. Because good work should work for everyone. 

And for the employers out there, ask yourself - could that vacancy be done part-time, job-shared, or flexibly? Unlocking flexibility is more than inclusive practice. It’s smart business. 

We all have a role to play in solving this puzzle. By enabling people to stay in work, we help them maintain financial independence and protect their mental wellbeing for the long term.  Let’s build the kind of workplaces that reflect the full, human complexity of life. 

For practical tips, tools, and more insights from the series, check out the Timewise podcast.

Source:

¹ Carers Scotland

2 Carers UK

³ The health foundation:  Balancing acts

⁴ The health foundation: 300,000 people leave the workforce and report ill health annually

⁵ Flexible Jobs Index 2023 - Timewise - Flexible Working Research