A flexible work environment is one in which employers and employees
jointly decide on hours, location and the way work is carried out.
Decisions are based on achieving outcomes
which benefit the business while allowing the employee to better
balance their personal and professional lives. This practice benefits
all employees, not only employees with disability. For example, parents
with caring responsibilities or mature age workers who wish to phase
into retirement gradually. This is generally something you would
negotiate once you have secured the position.
Why You Might Consider Flexible Work Arrangements
If you:
- need to attend regular medical appointments
- need to fit in with your carer's timetable
- need to work irregular hours or take frequent breaks
- have fluctuating periods of health
- find it easier to work in your home environment
- need to reduce travel
- decide not to disclose information about a disability to your employer or co-workers.
Examples of Flexible Job Structures
Teleworkers
Employees work from home, either all the time or on certain days,
communicating with the office via email, phone and fax. Staff with
disability benefit through the flexibility of working in their home
environment, and having a greater freedom with time frames on scheduled
projects.
Job-share
Two or more employees share the responsibilities of one full-time
job. The two employees may divide tasks between them, or work
interchangeably. While this requires communication, coordination and
well suited partners, it can achieve excellent results without
disrupting clients or co-workers.
How to Negotiate a Flexible Work Environment
The best way to get your employer to approve your request for
flexible work arrangements is to present a proposal detailing how your
work will get done under the new arrangement.
- Research flexible work and job structure options online.
- List what would be suitable for you and any alternative options.
- Ask around your network for ideas; they may know someone you can
talk to who has experience with negotiating or with organising flexible
working arrangements.
- Ask your career advisor or job network officer for help with your request.
- Identify who in your organisation can authorise flexible arrangements, and how to set up a meeting with them.
- Devise a plan for the meeting; decide what outcome you want and what compromises you may consider.
- Make notes to take to the meeting. (See ‘How to conduct the meeting with your employer’ below.)
- Start with the easy things.
- Thank your employer for taking time to talk to you.
- Present the facts of your case for flexible hours, including why
you want to make the change and possible options you have identified.
Be sure to highlight benefits for the business, eg. reduced running
costs, your desk and office space will be available for other staff.
- Offer to have a ‘trial period’ to determine whether it is working.
- Ask you employer whether they see any solutions/problems you haven’t though of.
- Discuss when/how logistics will be organised, and who needs to be informed of the new arrangement, eg. colleagues.
- Follow up with a written record of the meeting, even if it is an
email saying: “Thank you so much for taking the time to discuss
flexible working arrangements with me yesterday and agreeing to the
following: [List/outline]. I understand there will be a three-month
trial period, and that we will review my progress at a meeting in one
month’s time. I am very motivated and excited about making this work.”