Help more people find work that fits their life
Flex codes are a free, simple way for people to say what flexibility they need from work, and for employers to say what a role can offer. The more people and employers who use them, the more useful they become.
If your organisation supports people looking for work, or supports employers, you can help. Every organisation that shares flex codes helps make them the common way to talk about flexible working. Everything on this page is free to use.
Flex codes in a minute
A flex code is four numbers, each from 1 (least flexible) to 4 (most flexible). They cover when work happens, how many hours, where it happens, and how much notice there is of the working pattern.
A personal flex code shows the least flexibility a person needs for a job to work for them. A role flex code shows the flexibility a role can offer. Side by side, both can see straight away whether they fit.
Nobody has to say why they need flexibility. Flex codes are for everyone, free, and quick to create at flexcodes.co.uk.
Share flex codes
1. Download the materials
Flex codes for individuals
For people seeking work or flexibility, and those who support them.
Download the PDF: Flex codes for individuals
Flex codes for employers
For employers, and the business networks that support them.
Download the PDF: Flex codes for employersPlease use the materials as they are. If you want to adapt them or add your logo, get in touch first.
2. Use our ready-to-use copy
Copy and paste any of these into your own channels. Each one already links to the right page on flexcodes.co.uk. As a named supporter, you’d get your own link to use instead, so you can see how many people you reach.
For individuals
Newsletter (about 100 words)
Say what flexibility you need – in four numbers
Finding a job that fits around your life can be hard when every advert means something different by “flexible”. Flex codes are a free way to describe the flexibility you need: when you work, how many hours, where, and how much notice you need of your schedule. Answer four questions to get your personal flex code. You never have to say why you need it. You can then compare your code with any role to see straight away whether it could work for you. It’s free, takes a few minutes and needs no account. flexcodes.co.uk/individuals
Social post
Know what flexibility you need from a job? Now you can say it in four numbers, without having to explain why. Get your free personal flex code in a few minutes: flexcodes.co.uk/individuals
One line for a web page
Create a free personal flex code to describe the flexibility you need from work, and check whether a role fits: flexcodes.co.uk/individuals
For employers
Newsletter (about 100 words)
Show applicants exactly what flexibility a role offers
Most employers offer more flexibility than their job adverts say. Applicants who need flexibility often scroll past adverts that don’t spell it out. Flex codes are a free, simple way to describe what a role can offer: when work happens, how many hours, where, and how much notice of the pattern. Answer four questions to create a role flex code and add it to your adverts. A large UK trial found adverts offering flexible working attracted around 30% more applicants. Free, takes a few minutes, no account needed. flexcodes.co.uk/employers
Social post
Is “flexible” in your job adverts doing enough? Describe exactly what a role offers in four numbers with a free role flex code, and reach applicants who would otherwise scroll past: flexcodes.co.uk/employers
One line for a web page
Create a free role flex code to show applicants exactly what flexibility a role can offer: flexcodes.co.uk/employers
3. Become a named supporter
Becoming a named supporter is free. There’s no fee and no contract. Named supporters are the organisations helping make flex codes the standard way to talk about flexible working.
What we ask
- Share flex codes with your members, clients or network at least once a year
- Use your own link, so we can show the reach
- Tell us what’s working and what isn’t
What you get
- Your own link, to see how many people you reach
- Your logo on our list of supporters
- The “We support flex codes” badge to use on your own channels
- Your own usage figures every three months
Your own link
When you sign up, we’ll give your organisation its own link, so we can tell you how many people it reaches.
- What it looks like
- flexcodes.co.uk/employers
?utm_source=company It can point to the individuals page, the employers page or the home page. - What we count
- Visits from your link and the number of flex codes created.
- What we never collect
- Names, contact details or anything that identifies a person.
- What you get back
- A short summary of the figures every three months, which you can use in your own reporting.
“We support flex codes” badge
For named supporters. Add it to your website or email signature, so more people get their own flex code.
Download it as:
- PNG for websites, We support flex codes badge 616 × 424 pixels, 33 KB
- PNG for email signatures, We support flex codes badge 220 × 151 pixels, 10 KB
- SVG, We support flex codes badge scales to any size, 42 KB
It’s free to sign up. Email hello@flexcodes.co.uk with your name, organisation and logo.
Email us to sign upUsing flex codes materials
Promoting flex codes is free. Building them into a product or service needs a licence.
Free, no permission needed
- Linking to and sharing flex codes and these materials
- Using the materials unchanged in your own channels
- Helping people or employers create flex codes on our site
- Employers showing role flex codes in their own adverts
Ask us first
- Adapting the materials, or adding your logo to them
- Running joint campaigns or events under both our names
Needs a licence from Canol
- Building flex codes into a product, platform or job board
- Assessing roles or people for others as a paid service
- Offering training or verification in flex codes
Thinking of building flex codes into what you offer? Email hello@flexcodes.co.uk to talk about a licence.
Questions
Is it free?
Yes. Creating and using flex codes is free for individuals and employers.
Do people have to say why they need flexibility?
No. A flex code records what someone needs, never the reason.
Is it just for disabled people, carers or parents?
No. Flex codes are for everyone. People who most need flexibility often benefit most, but nobody is asked which group they’re in.
Do people need an account or give personal details?
No. There’s no account and we don’t ask for names or contact details.
Does a flex code replace a flexible working request?
No. It helps people describe what they need and helps employers describe what a role offers. The legal right to request flexible working is unchanged.
What does a flex code not measure?
A person’s skills, how good a job is, or how an employer treats its staff. It only covers when, how much and where work happens, and how far ahead the pattern is known.
Who is behind flex codes?
Flex codes were created by Canol Ltd, trading as Flex Codes UK. How they work, including every question and level, is set out in full on the How it works page, so anyone can see how a code is produced.