Why you shouldn't be scared of the 'F' word in 2022

This resonates. Its harsh, but its so true, when it comes to flexible working, we need to ask what for what we need.

2022 is a new start, and with the pandemic being an accepted part of day to day life, it has shifted our focus as to what's important, and it maybe that you fear the F word, that asking for flexibility at work is a huge challenge, well you're about to see why you don't need to see it as a dirty word, and how easy it is to access.

Its likely, You’re good at your job, people look to you to answer the tricky questions, you are the one who has the answers and yet you’re tired, smiling, but tired and its because you don’t have balance, you’re up at 6am, sort the house, sort the kids and off to work, its full on before you finish work, sort the kids do the evening activities and here we go again, and what you need what you really need is some flexibility.

And yet you’re stuck, want flexibility but think what if I ask for flexibility and I’m seen as incapable, what will my male counterparts think? What will my boss think? Will I be overlooked for those important projects or a promotion? In a covid market will that make me less employable?

So many of my clients worry about the F word, and it doesn’t have to be a difficult conversation

According to ACAS, You might be able to make a ‘flexible working request’ to your employer if you want to, reduce your hours, change or have flexibility with your start or finish time, do compressed hours, work from home or elsewhere, and share the job with someone else. You can ask for the change to be for all working days, or specific days and shifts or perhaps for school term hours.

What's the legislation surrounding this?

Interestingly if you have worked for your employer for the last 26 weeks, you are legally classed as an employee, and you’ve not made any other flexible working request in the last 12 months, employers should make a decision within 3 months.All employees have the right to request flexible working, including if you’re, a parent, a carer, or returning from maternity leave.If you’re a parent or carer,?your employer might have other ways for you to take time off. For example,?parental leave ?to look after your child or?time off for dependants . Check your workplace’s policy.

?So this is straight forward right? Nope, some employers will try everything they can to decline your request, so let’s look at why and when flexible working can be declined, (gov.co.uk)

• Extra costs that will damage the business. The work cannot be reorganised among other staff
• People cannot be recruited to do the work. Flexible working will affect quality and performance
• The business will not be able to meet customer demand, there’s a lack of work to do during the proposed working times, the business is planning changes to the workforce.

The advise I give to my clients, is to think like your boss, find the solutions for your employer before you ask, think outside the box, think what do you need and how can you make this happen to help to get your request accepted, you need to make it very difficult for them to decline. And now combine it with the below.

Top tips to make this conversation a ‘winner’

1 – Structure your ‘utopian’ list.

For example to work school hours every day. Now, write down I want this because, I want to work until 3 every day so that I can collect my kids from school. I want to work term time only, I want an early finish every Friday and to condense 5 days into 4 by working in the evening.

?2 –?Define your ‘I can live with this’ list

I need to pick up from school three times per week, so that I can see my kids and my mental health and internal compass feels comfortable that whilst I haven’t got everything I want, I have what I need.

3 – Finally and this is your gamechanger list, I can’t live without this flexibility list, picking up my kids twice a week, and an early Friday finish at 4pm.

?Get prepared, spend some time thinking about what you need? Do you need school hours? Do you need to finish early on a Friday? Would it suit you to work school hours but carry on into the evening?

?If you don’t get a yes, what would be a compromise, come up with some combinations of flexi packages that could fit and suit you, if you don’t ask you don’t get!

What’s the benefit of your employer allowing you flexible working?

?According to the CIPD their survey estimated that about 76% of over 2,500 managers surveyed cited retention as one of the more popular employer benefits of flexible working. Offering the option strengthens employee loyalty to a company as encouraging long-term commitment. Which enhances the company culture and reduces the costs associated with recruiting and training new employees. Flexible work promotes happier and less stressed employees, who feel valued, research shows it’s a top consideration when attracting new employees, a flexible working culture is amongst the top criteria for applicants.

https://croner.co.uk/resources/business-advice/benefits-of-flexible-working/

?The, F word, shouldn’t be a dirty word, just a well thought out conversation and well timed approach from you, and as one of my women crushes says if you’re afraid to use your voice give up your seat, I say use your voice in an informed and precise manner, that provides clear reasons and some solutions from your employers perspectives and you will get exactly what you need.

This year I'm supporting all of my clients to decide the life they want, and to say 'NO' to anything else. If you need support, guidance or just a brief chat please feel to DM or email me on [email protected]

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