Time-resolved FT-IR spectroscopy was used to monitor the switching dynamics in surface stabilised ferroelectric liquid crystal devices on a microsecond time scale. Measurements of three related FLC’s are reported. Molecular reorientation was investigated with respect to temperature and with differing applied switching voltages. Two vibrational modes are selected from the spectra corresponding to core and alkyl chain motion respectively. Data are normalised to estimate the relative movement of these two parts of the molecule during switching. Results indicate that the molecule reorients as a unit although the alkyl chain exhibits some interesting effects towards the completion of switching.