Flexible work at B of I

BANK of Ireland has introduced a range of flexible working arrangements for its staff, including paternity and parental leave, and job sharing.

Staff at all levels of the bank, with up to two years service in most cases, can avail of the new arrangements.

Bank of Ireland is one of the economy's bigger employers, with 9,500 staff in Ireland. Under the new schemes, staff can opt to take unpaid leave for a variety of reasons for up to three years. Workers can also choose part time work for a period reverting to full time employment at an agreed date.

Other staff support schemes, introduced by the bank include one week's paid paternity leave for fathers, parental and adoptive leave, and career breaks from six months to three years. In certain emergencies, the bank has agreed to allow staff to take up to five days of their annual leave without prior notice.

Staff applying for the new leave arrangements must, however, give an undertaking not toe work on behalf of or for one of the bank's competitors.

Those availing of the various leave options can also seek to restructure the repayment of loans they may have with the" bank to reflect their new situation, according to the bank.

Bank of Ireland's equal opportunity manager, Ms Maire Halpin, said the new working arrangements were a response to the changing circumstances and priorities of its staff.

In recent years, the bank has brought in a range of measures to support staff in their careers, and has provided a creche for the children of bank staff in Dublin.