Changing your work times
Having flexible work hours and arrangements can give you a better working life and benefit the organisation you work for.
Flexible work arrangements can be useful if you have periods when your disability affects your ability to work. Flexible work arrangements can allow you to attend medical appointments on a regular basis or fit in with your carer’s timetable. Discussing your work hours can also help if you need to care for children or other relatives. Flexible work arrangements help organisations attract and retain good people, reduce stress, and improve the morale and productivity of staff.
Examples of how work arrangements can be flexible
- having extra breaks if you have pain or fatigue issues
- having flexible working hours if you have a condition that fluctuates
- being able to take paid and unpaid leave
- having a say about your roster
- sharing a job with a co-worker
- being able to work part-time
- being able to work from home
If you believe flexible work arrangements would help you in your job, think about the arrangements that might meet your needs and the needs of your employer. Ask your boss for a meeting to negotiate these arrangements. Make some notes to take with you to the meeting. Remind your employer that, if you’re allowed to work at the times when you’re not hampered by your disability, you are likely to be far more productive.
Remember that the meeting is about being flexible. Your employer is likely to be responsible for an entire organisation. He or she probably has many factors to consider. Be prepared not to be granted every wish on your list. Ask your employer if there are solutions or problems that you haven’t thought about.
If you work for a larger company or organisation, staff in the human resources department may be able to support you in discussions about changing your work times.
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