August 25, 2026 - 85 views
Flexible working can offer charities and not-for-profit organisations a way to retain talented people and respond to changing financial pressures – but simply squeezing a full-time workload into fewer hours can create a very different problem.
That is the focus of the latest Bayside Radio conversation with Bev Garside, who joins Simon to explore what flexible and part-time working really looks like in the charity sector.
With rising costs putting pressure on charity finances, more organisations are looking at different ways of structuring roles, including part-time hours, compressed working arrangements and remote or hybrid positions.
But Bev warns there is a danger in treating flexibility as simply doing a full-time job in part-time hours.
The result can be increased pressure, blurred boundaries and burnout – particularly when expectations haven't been clearly discussed between employers and employees.
In the podcast, Bev talks about the importance of setting realistic expectations, maintaining clear boundaries and making sure people working remotely or part-time don't become disconnected from their colleagues and the wider organisation.
It's a conversation about something that can sometimes get lost when we talk about flexible working: flexibility has to work for both sides.
Bev brings more than 30 years' experience of working with public and voluntary sector organisations. She describes herself as a qualified change agent and has worked with organisations to support change, leadership and sustainable development.
Through The Female Alchemist, Bev provides consultancy covering areas including change management, interim management, leadership and coaching. The organisation says it has supported hundreds of charities and public-sector bodies.
Bev is also associated with Charity Job Finder, giving her a valuable perspective on the recruitment and employment challenges facing the charity sector.
This isn't the first time Bev has joined Bayside Radio. In an earlier podcast, she explored how people can get into the charity sector and why skills gained in other industries can be valuable to charities.
This time, the conversation moves on to a question that is becoming increasingly important:
How do we make flexible working genuinely flexible – without creating more pressure for the people doing the work?
Listen to the full podcast to hear Bev's thoughts, advice and practical considerations for both charity employers and employees.
Find out more here:
And if you're working in the charity or voluntary sector, we'd love to hear your experiences of flexible working. Get in touch by emailing studio@baysideradio.co.uk
