Fact or Fiction?
All MI5 officers are based in London
Work-life balance at MI5
Due to the nature of the work that we do, a common misconception is that there is no work-life balance at MI5. It is true that there may be times when you need to work longer hours than usual, such as at crucial points during an investigation. However, in such circumstances, you will receive time off in lieu to ensure that you do not work excessive hours. It is also true that you are not allowed to take your work home with you, so when you leave the office, you really are leaving your work behind you.
Flexible working is a catch-all term to describe a range of working arrangements which allow employees to adjust their working hours and/or patterns. Where possible, we offer a range of flexible working options to help you balance your personal and family commitments with your professional life.
Flexible working arrangements at MI5 vary role by role and are always subject to business need. We encourage you to review the specific flexible working options listed in each job description. The following table lists the types of flexible working we might offer.
| Flexitime | A system that allows employees to vary their start and end times, in accordance with business area policy, as long as they complete a set number of hours per week. |
|---|---|
| Compressed hours | Working the same number of hours in fewer days, such as a 4-day working week with longer daily hours. |
| Part-time working | A work arrangement where employees work fewer hours than a full-time schedule, often spread across fewer days. |
| Term-time working | An arrangement where employees only work during term-time. |
| Job sharing | An arrangement where two or more employees share the responsibilities of one full-time role. |
| Home working | An arrangement that allows employees to work from home. |
| Hybrid working | A blend of office-based and home working, where employees spend part of their time working from the office and part from home, as set out by MI5 in accordance with business need. |
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I come in early and leave early on Wednesdays to help out at my son’s Scout group