Hybrid Working Policy

Version 2.0. Effective 31 July 2026. Next review 31 July 2027.

1. Purpose and scope

This policy sets out how hybrid and remote working operates at Auren Institute. It applies to employees and to contractors where their agreement says so.

Auren Institute is registered in Malta at 92, No. 1, St Edward Street, Qormi QRM 2136, Malta, registration P1421, VAT MT20967027. We operate in Malta and the United Kingdom, so this policy addresses the law of both.

2. The law we work to

• United Kingdom: Employment Rights Act 1996, as amended by the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023, which makes the right to request flexible working available from the first day of employment.
• United Kingdom: Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which applies to homeworkers as it does on our premises.
• Malta: Employment and Industrial Relations Act, Chapter 452 of the Laws of Malta.
• Malta: Telework National Standard Order, Subsidiary Legislation 452.104.
• Both jurisdictions: the applicable working time rules, and our data protection obligations under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and the Data Protection Act, Chapter 586 of the Laws of Malta.

3. How it works

We are a distributed business. Work is measured by output and by meeting commitments, not by hours visible at a desk.

• Colleagues agree a working pattern with the Managing Director and keep their calendar current.
• Core availability is 10:00 to 15:00 in the colleague’s own local time, so that Malta and United Kingdom colleagues overlap. Outside those hours, working time is flexible.
• Live teaching commitments are fixed and take precedence over flexible arrangements.
• Meetings are scheduled inside core availability wherever possible.

4. Requesting a change

A request to change working pattern is made in writing to the Managing Director. We respond within two months, as required in the United Kingdom, and we apply the same timescale in Malta. Where a request is refused we give the reason in writing.

5. Health, safety and equipment

Our duty of care applies wherever a colleague works. Colleagues complete a short workstation self-assessment on joining and annually, and tell us if their circumstances change.

We provide the equipment needed to do the job safely. Colleagues are responsible for a suitable working environment and for reporting any accident or injury sustained while working.

6. Data protection and security

Auren and learner data is accessed only on devices with a screen lock, disk encryption and current software updates. Work is not stored on personal cloud accounts. Confidential calls are taken where they cannot be overheard. Any loss of a device or suspected data breach is reported to the Managing Director immediately, and in any event within 24 hours, so that the 72 hour regulatory notification window can be met.

7. Right to disconnect

Nobody is expected to answer messages outside their agreed working pattern. Messages sent outside those hours carry no expectation of an immediate reply.

Ownership and review

This policy is owned by the Managing Director of Auren Institute and applies to all directors, employees, contractors, associate trainers and anyone acting for Auren Institute.

It is reviewed annually, and sooner if the law changes, if an incident occurs, or if our operations change materially. The version and effective date are shown at the top of this page.

Questions about this policy, and any report made under it, go to info@aureninstitute.com, marked for the attention of the Managing Director.