Back

Flexible Working Webguide Step 4 - Negotiating

Released 10th April, 2012|2,807 Views
Step 4 - Negotiating
 
It’s important to remember that the meetings you have with your employer as part of your flexible working application are a chance to negotiate. The meetings do not have to have a formal layout – they are intended for you and your employer to talk about your proposals and how things might be changed.
You can take a colleague or trade union representative with you. This could help you feel more confident. But even if you do not have anyone with you at the meeting, try running through what you want to say with a friend or partner beforehand.
 
Some ideas about how to negotiate:
 
  • Explain your position and your ideas about the changes you are hoping for
  • Present your employer with more than one option and try to explore them together
  • Try to understand your employer’s concerns and what sticking points they have and why (for example, they may not feel comfortable with home-working because nobody has ever done it before; you can still run through your ideas of how it would work).
  • Discuss some of the easier areas first so that you can agree on some changes if possible before moving forward
  • Don’t get stuck on one particular option, instead think about the result you want (being able to pick up your child etc). There may be other ideas or options which will come up during the meeting
  • Think about what is really important to you and what you would be willing to change.
 
Following a meeting with your employer, if anything is agreed, it is a good idea to get this put in writing. You should also keep notes about the meeting as a whole in case you need to take things further.
 
If negotiations are not going well and you feel that your employer is not listening or not following the procedure, you may want to get further advice by calling the Working Families Helpline on 0800 013 0313. But before you do, try to be clear about:
 
  • Whether you want to stay in your job whatever happens.
  • Whether full-time work is feasible if you cannot agree anything else.
  • Whether there are any different childcare options for you.
  • Whether you would be prepared to take your employer to a tribunal if necessary.
  • What are your chances of finding another job

Click here to go on to Step 5 - if things aren't going well

Back to top
Most viewed resources