What is term-time working?

Before you set up an arrangement, you will need to work out how many weeks of unpaid leave you are going to need (check out the school-term dates before you start as these can vary from area to area). Maybe you will want to organise an alternative for part of the school holidays so that you won’t need to take so much time off work.

Decide with your employer how you will be paid. Some people like to have their pay averaged out for the year. If you do this, it will mean that you will get the same amount each week or month, whether you have worked or not. This can be useful for budgeting. The alternative is to be paid as usual for the weeks worked and then not to receive any pay for the weeks you take off.

The main disadvantage to term-time working is the obvious one: a drop in pay. But, if you are thinking of asking your employer to let you go on this scheme, bear in mind that time away from work may have consequences that are not so easy to see – it could, for example, affect your chances of promotion.

Further information

• New Ways to Work, 22 Northumberland Avenue, London WC2N 5AP (020 7930 3355); email offers information on a range of flexible working patterns to individuals, unions and employers
• Flexibility - the Home Office Partnership website
• Parents at Work, 45 Beech Street, London EC2Y 8AD (020 7628 3565; fax: 7628 3591) offers advice, leaflets and guides, including The Employees’ Guide to Flexible Working (practical advice on preparing a flexible working proposal and how to approach your manager) £3.99 – £3.50 to members – inc p&p