As the way we work has evolved, expectations around flexibility have grown with it. Internally, employees increasingly sought more choice in how working time was managed. This included optional later start times, earlier finishes when workloads allowed, the ability to bank hours during busier periods, and greater flexibility for those with caring responsibilities. 

At the same time, SD Worx Ireland needed to ensure that flexibility did not come at the expense of the business. Service levels had to be maintained, client response times protected, and fairness preserved across teams, while managers retained the oversight required to run operations effectively. 

The challenge, therefore, was not whether flexibility should be introduced, but how to do so in a way that was structured, sustainable and low risk. 

This tension is not unique to SD Worx. According to the HR and Payroll Pulse 2026, 71% of organisations in Ireland now allow employees to work from home either fully or partially. At the same time, 61% already use, or plan to implement, a time tracking tool, reflecting a growing recognition that flexibility must be supported by clear visibility over working time. 

As Amanda Sadlier notes: 

“We've had people who really want to get out in the fresh air. We had someone who was really into horse riding, and we have a staff member who loves cycling and walking. What she wanted was just that little bit of time on a sunny day to get out walking in the hills a bit earlier. For a lot of people, it really is just that small amount of flexibility.” 

Flexibility was already part of working life at SD Worx Ireland through our hybrid working model, with employees required to attend the office one day per week, as well as through our workation policy, which allows employees to work abroad for up to 20 days per year. 

 

Building on this foundation, we introduced further flexible options through two clearly defined models, taking advantage of our in-house SD Worx Time and Attendance solution.  

Flexible working allows for structured changes to start and finish times, approved on a monthly basis. This enables employees to work consistent hours that better suit their personal circumstances, while remaining predictable for teams. 

Flexitime provides a more dynamic option, allowing employees to work around core hours, building up or using flex balances depending on workload. 

Both models were introduced gradually, team by team, with clear rules and expectations in place. 

As Amanda Sadlier explains: 

“People just want a bit of time when it’s quiet. A lot of roles in the company can accommodate that. You have busy periods of the month - payroll is a perfect example - and now people can clock hours up and then use that time back for themselves. Once it’s running smoothly, it becomes a massive positive.” 

Introducing flexibility at scale requires visibility. SD Worx Ireland uses SD Worx Time and Attendance to support this transition, with employees recording their working time efficiently. This allows employees to see exactly where they stand, managers to understand availability and coverage, and HR to maintain consistency without manual oversight. Built‑in limits on positive and negative balances ensure flexibility stays within agreed boundaries. 

As Áine Shepherd explains, “it gives people autonomy, but with responsibility. Everyone can see the time, the rules and the expectations.” 

One of the most valuable outcomes of this approach has been learning through experience. When flexible options were first introduced, some managers naturally had reservations. There were concerns that everyone would finish early on Fridays, that gaps in coverage would emerge, or that flexibility would simply create more administrative work. In practice, those concerns have not materialised. 

“Once you trial it, you realise most of the fears don’t come true,” says Amanda Sadlier. “It’s exactly what we see with clients.” 

As flexibility increases, so does the need for visibility. Over 60% of Irish organisations now use or plan to implement time tracking tools, recognising that flexible working must be underpinned by accurate, transparent working time data. 

SD Worx Time and Attendance enables organisations to introduce flexibility at their own pace, without losing control.