A Five - Step Plan for Negotiating a Flexible Work Schedule
By Rochelle Caviness
There are many reasons why you might want to work-part time, from not needing the income that full-time work provides to wanting to spend more time with your children. This is especially true for women returning to work after maternity leave; they need the income but it can be a gut wrenching situation if you are not yet ready to leave your baby all day. An attractive alternative for many women is a flexible, part-time work schedule. Part-time work allows you to remain current in your field and bring some money into the household, while still being able to a major portion of the day with your child or pursuing other activities.
While a part-time, flexible work schedule may be an ideal solution for you, it may not be so for your employer who has been waiting anxiously for you to return from maternity leave and recommence full-time work. Although your employer may not be enthusiastic about your plans, it is still possible to convince them that part-time work is not only good for you, but good for the company as well.
Negotiating Your New Schedule
Step One:
Stop and think about what you are going to say. If you go into your boss's office without a plan of attack, you are more likely to get a 'no' answer. Think like a sales representative. You need to convince your boss that a flexible schedule is good for everyone involved.
Step Two:
Work up a sales pitch and consider consigning our proposal to paper.
Be sure to get a copy of your company's employees' manual. You may be surprised to learn that there is already a part-time or flextime policy in place. Include this information in your proposal.
If anyone else in your company switched from full-time to a part-time schedule, talk to them and see how it is working out for them and their boss. If the schedule is working out well for them, include that information in your proposal to show your boss that there has already been a precedence established, in the company, for switching from full to part-time work. This can be very helpful, as many bosses are reluctant to be the first to make a change, especially if they are not fully convinced that it will be an outstanding success.
Research how other companies have dealt with flexible work schedules. Refer to success stories in your proposal.
Remember that you are selling a product, you. Let your boss know how a flexible schedule will benefit the company.
Let your boss know if you will be available for computer or telephone consultations during normal business hours when you will be out of the office. One of the reasons that your boss may deny your request is the fear that questions will come up that need your impute, but with you 'not there' it will decrease other worker's productivity. If you are willing to answer questions remotely, this can be an added selling point.
Step Three:
When you know what you want, and how you are going to go about trying to achieve your goal - be professional. Make an appointment to see your boss. Dress neatly, be on time, and approach the meeting as you would a job interview.
Just as with a job interview, it may be helpful to hold a mock meeting with a companion. This will provide you with an opportunity to see how your proposal sounds in a 'real-world' situation. Advise your partner to be very negative. This will give you the opportunity to practice rebutting negative comments.
Step Four:
Before the meeting, review your proposal. If you have prepared a written proposal, make sure that you have copies for your boss. Take a few deep breaths and relax. You've put a lot of work into preparing for this moment so you have every reason to be confident about your chances.
Step Five:
If your boss gives you the ok to work part-time, great! However, be prepared for let downs.
If your boss turns you down flat, ask, "Why?" Alternatively, try another tack, "What would it take to make this proposal acceptable to you?" Even if these answers are not satisfactory, don't despair. You have the option of trying again after you have reformulated your proposal.
A 'no' may be a signal that you may be better off at another company. If they are unwilling to consider flexible scheduling, what will be their attitude be when you need time off to care for a sick baby or spouse, or other family emergency?
