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Flexible Working Webguide Step 3 - Building your case

Released 10th April, 2012|3,513 Views
Step 3 - Building your case
 
However you choose to ask for flexible working, you will want your employer to agree to the change you have asked for. So you need to think about how your new working pattern will fit into the workplace. This can be quite daunting, but it is up to you to build a case explaining how things will work in the future.
 
You do not have to write an essay or a long description– just a few paragraphs which show you have thought about the impact of your flexible working.
 
If you believe that there is no good reason for your proposal to be rejected, this is your chance to explain why.
 
It may help to:
  • Work with a job share partner (if this is what you are proposing) to set out a proposal of how you will work together and liaise across the working week
  • Explain the benefits of home working (if this is what you want), what parts of your job would work well from home, how you would stay in touch with the workplace, and how your work could be monitored
  • Highlight the flexibility you could offer to your employer, if appropriate (for example, if you are able to start earlier or work later on certain days)
  • Explain how the different parts of your job would be affected by part-time hours – would another part-timer need to be recruited, or can parts of your work be redistributed elsewhere?
  • Use what happened during maternity leave to support your argument – maybe you were not replaced, or maybe parts of your work were done differently. Be careful how you use this argument, remembering that you do have the right to return to your old job whatever happens to your flexible working request.
 
Be as practical as you can about the different parts of your job and how you think they could be done, how you would communicate with colleagues and how any emergencies would be dealt with.
 
Address problems
Try to suggest solutions to any potential problems which might be created by your new working pattern. It is worth thinking about how the new arrangements would affect:
  • External or internal clients/customers
  • Colleagues
  • Line manager.
And anyone else you come into regular contact with during your work.
 
For example, how will you ensure that there is continuity of service? How will records be kept? How will urgent queries be dealt with on days you are not in the workplace?
 
It might help you to have a look at other flexible working arrangements which have been successful, in similar jobs or in your workplace. 
 
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