Support the pledge as an
NHS employee or rep
Support the pledge as a union rep
We know that access to flex makes a positive difference to wellbeing, as well as helping to recruit and retain people in the health service – ultimately resulting in better care for patients. But too often, there are gaps between policy and practice across the NHS, and too many staff still struggling to access flexible working.
That’s why NHS unions are coming together to ask employers to take action and Get Ahead on Flex.
Your role as a rep
Thank you to all the staff side committees who have written to their employer asking them to take the pledge, and offered to work with them to push forward progress.
Letters were sent by reps across the UK to NHS employers on Friday 6 March and members have been sharing their support for the campaign.
If your staff side committee hasn’t yet sent the ask, it’s not too late – use the templates below to ask your employer to sign the pledge.
And together we will keep up the pressure, plan for action and celebrate progress on the way to every NHS employee having a positive, consistent experience of flex.
Download full Get Ahead on Flex resource pack
Ask your employer to sign the pledge
Make the ask
Download our template letter and send to your employer’s CEO. Make sure you copy hello@nhsunions.org
Letter template to employersTell your members
Let your local union members know about the Get Ahead on Flex pledge and that you’ve sent the letter calling for action. You could use our template copy in an email or newsletter.
Example email to membersSpread the word
Share information about the campaign more widely – for example, on social media or on your organisation’s intranet. You can use our sample posts and copy to help make things easy.
Social media cards & example postsMaintain the momentum
Keep up the pressure
Remind your employer to sign the pledge, and let members know when they do. Make sure to let hello@nhsunions.org know too, so we can update our pledge tracker.
Plan for action
Once the pledge has been signed, arrange to meet your employer’s HR or leadership team to agree how they can meet the commitments. You can use our template action plan.
Sample action planCelebrate progress
Work with your employer’s HR and internal comms teams to promote the work that is being done to create a positive, consistent flex experience for all. We'll share suggestions for how you can keep up momentum.
Support the pledge as an NHS employee
We’re thrilled with the response and support we’ve received from NHS employees up and down the UK. Your support of the Get Ahead on Flex pledge shows just how essential it is that NHS employers commit to working with NHS unions to take action and Get Ahead on Flex.
Only NHS employers can sign the pledge but all of us can get behind it. If you support our call for NHS employers to commit to concrete actions to ensure every NHS employee having a positive, consistent experience of flex, here’s how you can back the pledge:
Back the pledge
Share your support
Share your support of the pledge and flexible working online and on social media with our handy toolkit and templates.
Social media cards & example postsAsk your employer
Ask your employer if they’ve signed the pledge. You can tag them in posts on social media and write or email your Chief Executive to ask when they will sign.
Example posts and emails to your employerTalk to colleagues
Talk to colleagues about the Get Ahead on Flex pledge, and ask your manager to talk about flex in staff meetings.
Share your experiences
Share your experiences of flex with us so we can build our evidence base and case studies of flex - both good and bad.
Share your flex storySupport your rep
The Get Ahead on Flex pledge is being led by staff side reps up and down the country. Contact your staff side rep to offer your support and help with practical tasks and actions.
Celebrate progress
We’d love to hear from NHS employees to understand how the Get Ahead on Flex pledge has made a difference. Get in touch to celebrate progress and tell us how action and changes your employer is making to create a positive and consistent flex experience for everyone.
Tell us how your employer is Getting Ahead on Flex