A flexible workplace can allow employers and employees to work together to decide on working arrangements such as hours of work, work location and the way work is carried out. It involves thinking creatively about how working lives can be better structured to match individual and business needs.
This guide provides information on what a flexible work environment is, with some important steps and practical examples on having flexible work practices.
Benefits of flexible work arrangements
Flexible workplace arrangements can assist you and your employer improve the way you work. Creating a flexible workplace by introducing flexible work arrangements is good for business and has a number of advantages, such as:
- improving the ability of employers to attract skilled and motivated employees
- creating greater staff loyalty and higher return on training investment
- increased trust and respect
- reduced stress levels and improved morale and commitment
- reduced absenteeism and staff turnover
- improved productivity
- potential for improved occupational health and safety records
- assisting compliance with anti-discrimination and workplace relations laws.
Why have flexible work arrangements?
Flexible work arrangements can be useful if you:
- have fluctuating periods of health
- need to attend medical appointments on a regular basis
- need to fit in with your carer’s timetable
- have responsibilities for the care of children or other relatives.
Flexible working arrangements may also help if you decide not to disclose information about a disability to your employer or co-workers.
Examples of flexible work arrangements
Here are some examples of flexible work arrangements that might be suitable for you:
- flexible hours of work
- flexible leave arrangements
- make up time
- having your say in rostering arrangements
- part time work
- job sharing
- flexibility of location
- working from home
Steps to introducing flexible work practices
While implementing flexible work practices may at first appear difficult, all it takes is some planning, a little consideration and a willingness to try something new. Introducing flexible work requires planning ahead so that you can canvass all your options, assess your individual needs and develop strategies for implementation.
If you feel that flexible working arrangements would be helpful in your job, then here are some suggestions to get you started in negotiating flexible work arrangements with your employer:
Step 1: Decide what new arrangements would be appropriate
Consider and read up on all the options that are available for flexible workplace arrangements. The examples listed above are only a selection of the flexible arrangements that may be suitable for you.
Decide what arrangements you think would be suitable and reasonable for both you and your employer. Do the arrangements meet your needs and your employer’s needs?
For further information on flexible work arrangements visit the Work and Family web site—see Related Links.
Step 2: Plan your strategy
Plan how you’re going to deal with the negotiations and make notes to take with you when you meet with your employer.
If you are receiving support from an Australian Government employment service provider, talk your plans over with your employment service provider. Ask for help putting together a case for flexible working arrangements.
Ask other people, like your parents, carers or friends, for ideas as they may have had experience with negotiating or with organising flexible work arrangements.
Step 3: Negotiate with your employer
Ask your employer for a meeting to negotiate flexible work arrangements. State all the important facts, the reasons why you want to change your work arrangements and your possible solutions. You may also like to highlight some of the benefits to flexible work arrangements.
During your negotiations, start with the easy things first and consider implementing the flexible work arrangements over a trial period to ‘test drive’ how the arrangement works in practice. You should also ask your employer if there are potential solutions or problems that you haven’t thought about.
Be flexible—remember, your employer may be responsible for an entire organisation so will have many factors to consider.
Workplace relations
When considering flexible working arrangements, you should bear in mind that minimum entitlements in the Australian Fair Pay and Conditions Standard cannot be undercut and, that under the Fairness Test, workplace agreements must provide fair compensation for the modification or removal of protected award conditions.
To find out about your rights at work by visititing the Fair Work Ombudsman website - see Related Links.
Alternatively, you can call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 where you can get information about your wages and conditions and advice on how you can work with your employer to tailor these to suit both your needs.