Alternative work schedule has to be reasonable

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Dear Joan:
I am interested in obtaining information on working women with children. Specifically, I am interested in information that would assist me in proposing a part-time work schedule to my employer. How would it be beneficial for an employer to allow a part-time or telecommuting schedule.

Answer:
Most employers are so eager to keep their good employees, that they are willing to entertain any reasonable proposal. Making that proposal "reasonable" is the key. In order to get what you want, you will need to look at this situation from the perspective of your manager and your company.

There is a lot of information available to companies about how telecommuting and part-time work can make employees more productive. For example, it cuts down on interruptions and distractions and eliminates commuting time. But most companies still need to look at these flexible situations on a case-by-case basis. They will have a list of "Yes, buts…" and "What ifs."

Here are some questions that your employer will need to feel comfortable about before they agree to a telecommuting or part-time arrangement:

·        Do you have a good attendance record? Do you have a reputation as a strong performer?

Your employer will be more willing to let you telecommute if you have demonstrated that you can work without supervision. The same holds true for part-time work. For example, if you have had a tendency to come in late or call in sick, your employer will worry that you will be even more inclined to do so in a part-time situation.

·        What happens to the workload?

If you do project work, it may be relatively easy to divide the work in half. But the question your employer will have is, "Who will do the other half?" Will the company need to hire someone else? Can you help hire that person? (Keep in mind that a new employee may cost the company more salary and benefits.) Is there a co-worker who would be interested in taking half of your job? If so, what happens to his or her former workload?

If your work doesn’t divide easily, it could be more difficult to pull off. For instance, if you do customer service work and your customers expect you to be there when you call, it may be impossible to work part-time or from home.

If you manage others, it will be difficult to be away from the office for more than a day or two a week. Even self-directed workers expect to have enough face time with their manager to get direction and coaching. They will worry about their own visibility and future with the company if you’re not around much.

·        How will your employer know you are being productive?

Give some thought to how your employer measures your effectiveness now. For example, sales jobs are easy to measure; either you sold something or you didn’t. In other jobs it can be more nebulous. Help your manager with ideas, so he or she will feel comfortable.

·        Is your work done primarily by phone, fax and computer?

If most of your work is done alone and electronically, there is a good chance a telecommuting arrangement could work. But if you interact with a variety of people, it will be more difficult to schedule those interactions.

·        Are you willing to be flexible about your work hours?

There will be times when you need to come in on your "off" time to attend a meeting or get a project done with others. If you are too rigid in your requirements about time off, they may see it as an unworkable idea.

·        Will others want to do it?

Your company may worry that everyone will want to take advantage of the same work arrangement. They may be concerned that it could be demotivating for those whose jobs don’t allow for that flexibility. Many companies go ahead anyway and offer it to those who can take advantage of it. Others decide to go the other route, not allowing anyone to go part-time or telecommute. The trend is definitely toward more flexibility as a recruiting and retention tool, however.

·        Will your children have a reliable sitter while you work?

Your employer will not want a crying baby in the background when you are on company business. They know that children can demand all your attention and that it would be distracting and counterproductive to work while you are caring for your children.

Keep these questions in mind as you prepare your proposal. And don’t forget to mention your good track record and the fact that you enjoy your job and want to continue working for the company. The more you can sell your value and minimize any objections, the more likely you will get the flexibility you want.

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