What is this new campaign and why do we need it now?
The Making Flexible Work campaign is aimed at increasing flexible working and reducing the gender seniority gap in the Insurance and Long-Term Savings Sector.
The Covid-19 pandemic has increased demand for flexible working and recent research from the Government Equalities Office shows that 9 out of 10 job seekers want increased flexibility. A new Employment Bill is on the way and the world of work is changing – it’s important that our sector responds to this and many ABI members are already taking action and adapting their flexible working policies.
Increasing flexible working, particularly job sharing, will help employers attract and retain the best and most diverse talent and overtime it will reduce the gender seniority gap. Evidence shows that organisations that are more diverse are more profitable and innovative and now is the time for businesses and employees to find the flexible working that works for them, for the benefit of everyone.
Research shows that firms can secure double the number of applicants by advertising all jobs with ‘part-time, job share or flexible working options’ in the role title. Advertising roles as open to flexible working increases the number of women securing senior positions and increasing job sharing and other forms of flexible working will help reduce the gender seniority gap.
The ABI has recently released new data showing that women now hold 29% of Board roles in our sector, up from 25% in 2019, and 24% of Executive level positions are also held by women. Progress is happening, but it is slow, and more action is needed.
How can members get involved?
As part of this campaign, which will launch in the first half of 2021, we are encouraging all ABI members to pledge their support for a new sector specific Making Flexible Work Charter that will comprise the following 3 commitments:
Charter signatories commit to publishing details of their flexible working policy so that it is publicly available for employees and prospective candidates alike. 
Charter signatories commit to advertising the majority of roles as being open to flexible working, including part-time working (if appropriate) and / or as a job-share if the role is full-time. 
Charter signatories put in place processes and guidance to support and promote different forms of flexible working, including job sharing. This campaign forms part of the ABI’s new 2021 Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. As well as this flexible working campaign, we will be working with members on improving Black, Asian and minority ethnic diversity and on increasing social mobility in our sector through promoting initiatives such as the Kickstart Scheme and the Race at Work Charter.