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I started at Dstl in May 2003 and have always used flexi-time as far as the rules allowed, but the introduction of more flexible working options made things easier for me.

I am a keen musician and play both the piano and church organ. The morning is my personal optimum time for practising, as my concentration is better. Flexible working has meant that I can practice before work twice a week, and come in late on those mornings.

I use an informal arrangement of simply blocking out the time in my calendar well in advance, and I try to let colleagues know that my late mornings have a purpose other than lying in! The difficult part is keeping to it, as I do try to keep the impact on my work to a minimum. I am sometimes able to rearrange the practise sessions if a meeting clashes, but sometimes I just have to accept that this is not always possible.

Flexible working has been very useful in allowing me to practise at a time that suits me, as well as when the house is empty - so I am less likely to get disturbed. On the days I come in late, I tend to work later too, so making up the time is not a problem, and I know that when I get home I can relax without that nagging feeling that I really ought to be practising.