How can you negotiate a flexible work schedule during a performance review?

1 Assess your situation

Before you approach your manager, it is essential to assess your situation and determine if a flexible work schedule is feasible and desirable for your role, team, and organization. Think about your performance and reputation – have you consistently delivered high-quality work and met deadlines and goals? Are you a trusted employee who can work independently and communicate effectively? Consider your role and responsibilities – how flexible are they in terms of tasks, projects, and deadlines? How much collaboration do you need with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders? Lastly, evaluate your organization's culture – how supportive are they of flexible work arrangements? Are there any policies or guidelines that you can refer to? How accepted is a flexible work schedule among peers and managers?

2 Research your options

Once you have assessed your situation, you need to research your options and decide what kind of flexible work schedule you want to propose. You could opt for flextime, which allows you to adjust your start and end times within a certain range, as long as you work the required number of hours per day or week. Alternatively, you could look into a compressed workweek which allows you to work longer hours on fewer days. Telecommuting is another option, which allows you to work from home or another location, either part-time or full-time, depending on your role and agreement with your manager. Lastly, job sharing is an option that enables you to share your role and responsibilities with another employee, either on a split or a rotating basis.

3 Prepare your proposal

Once you've selected your preferred option, it's time to prepare your proposal and anticipate any questions or objections your manager may have. Your proposal should include the benefits of a flexible work schedule for you, your team, and your organization. This includes how a flexible work schedule will improve performance, productivity, motivation, and satisfaction; how it will enhance collaboration, communication, and diversity; and how it will align with the organization's goals. Additionally, you should include details of your flexible work schedule such as the hours, days, and locations you plan to work, as well as how you will track and report your progress. You should also outline the trial period and evaluation criteria such as the length of time for testing before making it permanent and how you will measure results and solicit feedback.

4 Present your case

When you are ready to present your case, you need to choose the right time and place to have a conversation with your manager. Schedule a meeting in advance and inform your manager of the agenda and purpose, but avoid bringing up your proposal during a busy or stressful time unless your manager agrees. Be confident and professional, yet respectful and flexible. Explain your proposal clearly and concisely, highlighting the benefits and details. Listen to your manager's questions and concerns, address them calmly and constructively, and be open to compromise and negotiation. Offer alternatives and solutions, then follow up and follow through. After the meeting, send a summary of your proposal and the discussion to your manager, thanking them for their time and consideration. If you reach an agreement, start your flexible work schedule as agreed while keeping your manager updated on your work and results. If you need to revise your proposal, do so promptly and respectfully; seek another meeting to finalize the details.

5 Review and adjust

Once you have started your flexible work schedule, it is important to review and adjust it regularly to ensure that it works for you, your team, and your organization. You should monitor and document your work and results, tracking hours, tasks, projects, and outcomes. Utilize tools and systems to plan, organize, and report your work effectively. Clear communication with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders is essential; inform them of availability and progress. Participate in team meetings, events, and activities to contribute to the team's culture and performance. Additionally, seek feedback from your manager, team, and others on your flexible work schedule. Offer feedback on your experience, challenges, and achievements related to the schedule. Use feedback to improve and optimize the flexible work schedule.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?