Ask For (And Get) A Flexible Schedule

Nine-to-five Doesn’t Always Work For Life In 2019. Here, Experts Tell How To Craft A Better Setup—and Persuade Your Boss To Say Yes.

- Kathleen M. Harris

FLEXIBILITY IS ONE of the benefits most coveted by all of today’s workers—whether they’re women or men, parents or not. “It’s not just a mom issue. It affects everyone,” says Sara Sutton, CEO and founder of FlexJobs, a service for remote and flexible jobs. Research from Werk, a startup that champions flexible work, found that flex workers are twice as likely to be happy in their roles and half of workers plan to leave their job if they don’t have flexible options. “Smart organizations recognize that it’s crucial today to offer flexible options in order to retain and attract top talent,” says Sutton. Whether there’s a policy in place or you’re asking to set a precedent, here’s how to do it.

Decide what you need.

What are the pain points in your work life that you’re trying to remedy? Maybe you have a three-hour commute, or you’re a morning person and burned out by 3 p.m. Or it’s stressful for you to miss family dinner. Maybe you’re an introvert and your office’s open floor is too distracting. “Be critical about what kind of flexibility you need to be successful in your role,” says Annie Dean, cofounder and co-CEO of Werk. Think through the logistics too. Can you work less than full-time and still meet your expenses? Will you still get benefits at part-time? If you’re proposing remote work, do you have a professional place to go? “Working at the kitchen table if you have young children or a busy household may not work,” says Kathryn Sollmann, author of Ambition Redefined.

Be honest about your work habits.