How to Request a Flexible Working Arrangement

One silver lining from the Covid-19 pandemic is that it has shown us that many of us can do our jobs from home. And we can do our work more effectively, efficiently, and with a better work-life balance.   We have learned that working from home allows to balance more of our personal and professional obligations that we face as working mothers.   Now that that companies are asking employees to come back into the office, don’t feel pigeon-holed into your old work structure.  Follows these tips on how to request a flexible working arrangement.

Research Your Flexible Working Arrangement Options

Start by researching your company’s policy on flexible working arrangements. Find out what your company may already have in place and what the request process entails.  If your company does not have a policy on the books currently,  research other companies in your industry’s policies.

You should also talk to people that already have flexible working arrangements. Ask them what they like/dislike about their working arrangement and how they presented the arrangement to their boss.

Have a Written Proposal Prepared

Have a formal proposal written out and ready when you make the request.  This helps you think through your request and shows your employer that you are prepared and serious about your request.  Make sure that your plan is focused on how your employer will benefit because that is what they are most concerned with. Benefits to your employer could include increased work hours due to elimination of a commute, increased efficiency, and improved engagement due to your ability to focus on family obligations more.

If you focus on how it will help them, you are more likely to keep their attention and interest when you are requesting a flexible working arrangement.

Stay Flexible and Have a Plan B

With any negotiation, come prepared with an ideal state but have a more realistic plan B at the ready. For example, your ideal state would be working from home full-time. However, you would settle for 2 days in the office if necessary of coming in for certain meetings.

Knowing exactly what you are comfortable with will help you when requesting a flexible working arrangement.

Arrange a Meeting

When you are requesting a flexible working arrangement, schedule a meeting with your boss and make sure it is on their calendar.  You want to give them a heads up on what you plan on covering in this meeting so they are not caught off guard. However, don’t dive into too much detail in the invite because you don’t want to start the conversation via email or over the phone.

Try saying something like “I would like to discuss some ideas I have for my working arrangement.”  If your boss tries to open the conversation right away reply by saying “I have some ideas that I would like to discuss but I really want to ensure that we have enough time. Can I get an hour on your calendar?”

Having a dedicated time for the request will give it the space and attention the request requires.

Be Persistent

Chances are that your boss is not going to be overly excited about your request for a flexible working arrangement. Go into the conversation expecting a less than positive response.  As mentioned earlier, demonstrate flexibility and have a healthy conversation about any reservations that they may have.

If they still have reservations after talking it through, see if they will give it your flexible working arrangement a trial run.  Try the schedule out for 3-4 weeks.  Your leadership may be more receptive to trying it out if they know it’s only temporary. Chances are it will work out (and you will have documented your productivity/effectiveness) and they will keep up the arrangement after the trial ends.

Perform Well

Hopefully, after all of these actions, your employer approves your flexible working arrangement request.  The next step is to make sure that you perform well. Your performance under a flexible working arrangement will likely be under a microscope. They will be looking for any misstep along the way. Prove them wrong!  Make sure that you are holding up your end of the bargain, even if that means you are working a bit harder as you acclimate to your new working situation.

Not only will this help you and your career but it will help your employer be more open to future requests. This is a win for all working mothers!

Do you utilize a flexible working arrangement?  If so, what is your arrangement and how did you request a flexible working arrangement?   We would love to hear more. Leave a comment below.