Getting Flex-Time No Matter Where You Work

By Michelle Vandepol, Author of Mother Mexico
Is there opportunity for everyone to have a family friendly work schedule? Do you dare rock the boat in a shifting employment climate? At some positions, it may not seem like a possibility at first glance. Some companies have long established histories of corporate striving with a come in early, leave late work style across the board. The truth is, work output and results will vary from person to person, and if you can be a stand-out; you will have successfully upped your negotiating power for the title and timetable you want.

It may seem like common sense, but it bears saying — accept the work that your boss says need to be done before attempting to move on to more impressive tasks. Meeting deadlines and doing the bare minimum reliably is the step to take before you even try to tackle more in an attempt to get more on the job perks you deserve. Making yourself the employee to hold on to means the company you work for will work to hold on to you.

If your company has a track record of being family friendly but you are not part of the short office hours holders, check what others who have the flex you need in your life are doing and go that route. If you don’t know how they’ve wrangled it, it doesn’t hurt to ask. If yours is a company new to flex time, job sharing, and telecommuting; you’ll have to show them how it can be done. Arranging a discussion on the schedule you need at your job review is good timing, especially if you are anticipating a good one.

Being the valued employee everyone is willing to work with is key. Being likeable is one thing, but being more efficient could very well mean a bit less social. Continue to network and socialize, of course. I’m not recommending being brusque, but don’t hold up the water cooler either.

Think of ways you can go above and beyond on your own terms. Whether you manage to get a telecommuting position, job share, or come into the office for half your time and work at home the rest, don’t be a difficult employee. Realize that by asking for tradeoffs that payoff in lifestyle you might be doing some of the unpopular work at first until you proven what you can all accomplish with a shortened schedule. It’s realistic to expect tradeoffs in going for something different than you have right now.

If the transition is frustrating (things like lesser assignments or not being informed of new happenings if they happen on your days off can happen),  think of the big picture. You’re still pulling in a paycheque, working in the field you want, and realizing your work /life balance. You can have some of your cake and eat it too, but realize there are limits. You will have to keep arranging things for a while to create your own work perfection.

The people you work with, including your boss, have their own balances to work out and deadlines to meet, and chances are if you help them meet theirs, you will be able to live and work more on your own terms. Negotiate with your colleagues by thinking of what you need in terms of days off well in advance. Ask schools for a good lead time of notice. Plan way ahead for holidays, family functions, etc.

Group your requests with a bit of going above and beyond and you’ll rarely have trouble getting your own way.  Realize this does mean tooting your own horn when need be. No need to brag about your new turbo charged work efficiency, but make sure your correspondence and conversations are full of references to what you’re working on, especially if there are any office credit thieves.

Don’t get scared off by the effort it may take to get the schedule that will really work for you. You and your family deserve it.