Requesting a flexible working arrangement

We were saddened to read in Aviva's recent working lives report that 1 in 5 of you is not having a conversation with your employer about flexible working because you are afraid of their reaction. Below we have three top tips for approaching this conversation. If you are thinking of asking for flexible hours and would like more help and advice please do get in touch.

 

Top Tips
1. Prepare your case: understand how your role can be done flexibly and be ready to explain this to your manager
2. Anticipate the questions: what do you think your employers' main concerns will be? How can you overcome these? Speak to your friends and family and get them to help you to brainstorm the possible objections so you can be clear on why they will not apply in your case
3. Remain confident and calm: you are a valued employee who by law can ask to work flexibly, and more and more people are doing so. Equally, this is likely to be an important conversation for you with a lot hinging on it, but you need to think as clearly as possible in order to make your case.

We would love to hear from those of you that have had this conversation. How did it go and what tips do you have?

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