The building society will offer relevant staff the opportunity to work flexibly, within guideline requirements of the business.
The new working practices, developed by Claire Jose, head of people at Saffron Building Society, alongside the executive team, have been built around internal feedback from staff.
The practices will allow people to choose to work from home, or from one of two cluster offices which will now form the society’s head office, to allow for social distancing.
Outside of required core hours, the remainder of the employees’ contracted hours can be used outside of the typical nine to five structure.
The lender is also considering a ‘work anywhere’ approach to the remote element of flexible working, on which a decision will be made later in the year.
Colin Field, chief executive at Saffron Building Society, said: “We are acutely aware that following the last year, people’s expectations of their working lives have shifted.
“Many have found that flexible working will allow them a better work-life balance and provide them with more time with loved ones and looking after their own physical health.
“Sadly, nothing is a ‘one size fits all’ strategy, so we as an executive team and with our dedicated people team have created a procedure that supports the requests and suggestions sent to us via our colleague engagement platform and flexible working survey.
“The most important thing to consider when deciding the future working procedures was our people.
“People are what make Saffron Building Society what it is. Marrying that with the needs of the business was always going to be a challenge for us, and any business, but I think we have found a solution that protects the mental health of workers and the needs of the society and the response has been extremely positive.”
