OMG Digital Magazine OMG Issue 265 29th June 2017 | Page 18

OMG Digital Magazine | 265 | Thursday 29th June 2017 • PAGE 18
Business
HOW TO GET
A FLEXIBLE
SCHEDULE
Flextime benefits can vastly improve your job
satisfaction with no negative effect on your
performance.
Francesca Di Meglio, Monster contributor
ASSESS YOURSELF AND YOUR JOB
Working parents don’t have it easy.
Your work-life balance tug-of-war is no joke, and the
ability to have more control over your schedule is at the
top of your list of benefits to get excited about. In fact,
a flexible working arrangement is the most important
consideration for parents evaluating a job prospect,
according to a survey conducted by the Society of
Human Resources Management. Flexible work arrangements come in different forms.
They include a flexible start and end time, compressed or
extended workweeks, and being able to leave the office
during the day to tend to other commitments. Some HR
consultants also label telecommuting (especially if it’s
not every day), job sharing, and reduced work schedules
as flexible arrangements.
A flexible work schedule is so important to working
parents, flextime benefits even beat out salary, health
insurance, and retirement benefits. If you’re looking for
a more flexible job, here’s how to rally co-workers and
make a persuasive case to the boss. Given these variations, figure out what kind of schedule
and arrangement work best with your work habits and
job responsibilities. Would a particular schedule or
arrangement improve or impair your ability to perform
your job?
ASSESS THE CULTURE As you consider your options, and be honest about your
level of discipline and your past performance. If you’re
not performing as expected with a regular schedule,
your boss is unlikely to hand you the privilege of a
flexible one.
PUT YOURSELF IN YOUR BOSS’S SHOES
Position your proposed arrangement as one that
benefits the employer through increased productivity
or other cost savings. If, for example, a compressed
workweek will provide added coverage at a time when
the company needs it, sell your proposed schedule in
that way.
PREPARE A PROPOSAL
Look around you. Does anyone else have a flexible
arrangement? If so, talk to them. If not, find out if others
are interested in such programs. Experts, including
Noble, stress that work-life balance is not just a women’s
issue. Next, go to HR. Are flexible work schedules in the
menu of benefits? Many company programs go unused,
so know what you’re entitled to. If your company does
not offer such a program, consider creating one.
Write a formal business plan and schedule a meeting
with your boss to explain the benefits to him and your
employer. Be ready to explain how you will accomplish
your job tasks. Outline why your flexible schedule won’t
mean more work for your boss or colleagues.
KEEP YOUR PROMISES
Once your flexible schedule gets approved, perform.
Measure and record your progress. Create and monitor
a timeline for achieving certain goals (at home and at
work) to determine if you’re meeting your performance
objectives. Check in with your boss often to ensure she’s
satisfied with your results. Set up a time to review the
success of the proposed schedule a few months after
it’s in place. If it’s not working, be open to change.
COMMUNICATE WITH CO-WORKERS
Resentment from fellow co-workers is a possibility.
Performing well and communicating often is one way
to gain support. Make sure your colleagues and boss
know your schedule, what you’re working on, and how
they can reach you. Have a back-up plan for modifying
the system, if necessary.
RETURN THE FLEXIBILITY FAVOR
While you’ll need to establish limits so you’re not
working overtime, be willing to make necessary
accommodations. Flexibility from your employer
demands the same from you in return.