Ask an Expert How Can I Ask My Boss for Flexibility at Work

Ask an Expert How Can I Ask My Boss for Flexibility at Work Whetzu sichbei you are transitioningto a caregiving role or are a childlessworker looking to manage burnout with a schedule that better fits your needs, flexibility at work is the hallmark of a consciousworkplace and can lead to mora engagement.What if your boss doesnt know this? You can help her see the benefits of a flexible schedule without having to hide out under your desk when the conversation is over. Below, read four tips for making your case for flexibility without the awkwardness.1. Make a business case for flexibility.Your boss might be concerned about flexibilitys potential to become a company time-thief, but you can assuage her fears by showing the benefitsthe practice can offer your workplace as a whole. Remind her that flexibility in your schedule will allow you to become more productive because it will require you to take more ownership over your projects and shifting your mindset to be more results-oriented rather than focus purely on the hours you work. In other words, it will help you work smarter, not harder. It will also push you to hone your communication skills and help you handle a greater degree of autonomy in your work, all of which are crucial to develop if you plan to pursue future leadership opportunities at your company. Your workplace, meanwhile, will benefit from this investment it doubles as skill development and a retentionstrategy. If your boss wants to see the numbers, the statistics are in your favor 67%of businesses offer flexible scheduling and employeeswho work from home are 87% more likely to love their job.2. Speak to the ways flexible scheduling will augment your specific strengths.Consider the ways that flexible scheduling will encourage the development of strengths uniqueto you. Are you a natural connector? Explain how flexible scheduling will challengeyou to find more and better ways to communicate with your team. Do you introducenew technologies to your s chreibstube? Demonstrate how remote software can make yourcompany more effective. Finding ways to align your talents to aspects of flexiblework can help shift your boss from general concerns about flexible scheduling toan understanding of why you are the right person to ask for it.3. Anticipate the counterarguments.Doing your research on the benefits of flexible work is important, but equally crucial is anticipating the different directions your conversation can take. Approachthe meeting as a dialogue not a place to air grievances or list demands and think ahead of time of the reasons your boss might hesitate to allow more flexibility. For example, if your boss worries that she might feel pressured to offer flexible work to everyone, including team members who could potentially abuse it, respond by speaking to her strengths, such as, Actually, one of the things I respect about your management is your ability to identify individual team members strengths and guide us accordingly. I f versatility is actually a weakness, consider her other skills or values that honestly align with a vision for flexible scheduling.4. Have a plan and suggest a trial run.Beforeyou meet, create a plan that demonstrates your ability to handle the responsibility of flexible work. The plan should show specific ways you will communicate with colleagues while offsite or on a different shift. Additionally, consider offering to start with a 30-day trial period. Working together throughout the trial period will help give your boss more ownership while easing her into a more indefinite commitment. The temporary season can help you identify blind spots and may even allow the two of you to build out a flexiblepolicy for future employees.--As the founder of Belle Detroit Creative Solutions, Carmen Dahlberg advances opportunities for working mothers by creating accessible, flexible jobs in the design ecosystem and promoting a culture of caregiving across American workplaces.