As a matter of fact, all employees have a lawful right to solicit flexible working. Particularly once they have been working for their employer for no less than twenty-six weeks. Being able to work flexibly may seem to be the solution to the work/life balance puzzle. It may seem there are no obvious downsides. Flexible working schedule – The upsides and downsides. Let’s hop into more details now!
Yet, before making a flexible working demand, it is vital to think about all elements of what does it mean. This indicates taking off the rose-tinted splendors. It also indicates thinking about what some of the drawbacks might be and how they may impact you. This goes without saying!
Flexible working often means working remotely. You may undergo confusing the work-home balance. Or communication issues as well as procrastination. On the flip side, you have more elevated comfort, and you will save on commuting. Likewise, team spirit is better in people who work remotely.
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The cons of requesting flexible working
An employee’s legal privilege is only to demand flexible working hours. Yet, not to be automatically given it. If your company has a sound business basis, they can lawfully deny your proposal. This can apparently lead to dissatisfaction at best. Also, to outright conflict with your company at worst. If your company denies your request, you have to wait one year before making another one.
Are you fortunate enough to be endowed flexible working? Then this is probable to demand modifications to your working practices. Know that these will be permanent. You will not be able to switch and change if you discover these are not to your preference in practice. The effect of these shifts will surely impact you, your company, and your work associates. With that being said, what are the potential downsides to think about?
Blurring the work-home balance
Hand in hand with the above reaches the fact that when you work from home, it can be hard to keep a clear illustration between work and home. It’s all too comfortable to slip into working outside set hours. With an “I’ll just finish this” motive you’re working into the night. Rather than appreciating all-important downtime.
What’s more, coworkers working different hours, or your employer, may think it’s proper to contact you in what is not part of your working day. This indicates you may find it difficult to disregard them. Unexpectedly, that much valued afternoon off is entirely full of work matters. This is a true fact!
Communication problems
How easy it is to communicate with your other coworkers? No matter if they are in the office or working remotely. That will rely on your circumstances and your employer. Nevertheless, technological tribulations shouldn’t be put aside. This goes without saying!
You may partake it suddenly challenging to work with coworkers who are working differently from you. Or even at dissimilar times in general. You might see you have to be highly organized to coordinate communications. The same goes for teamwork, planning, and delivery.
What about employee isolation?
Working independently from home may point you can be at your desk by 7 am. You can be distraction-free and still in your pajamas if you want to. However, you can also lose out on the energy and creativity of working with others. Missing out on the sounder motivation, friendship, and overall buzz of working as part of a team. All these things can leave you feeling both unmotivated and isolated.
That is courtesy that can have a knock-on impact on your organization and motivation. Most importantly, it can lessen even the quality of your performance at work. Research in the United States shows that an employee who works remotely is at a higher risk of acquiring depression. Don’t undervalue how much you may overlook those birthday cakes. Perhaps even the end-of-the-week spirits that make it up so much of the social part of work.
Let’s talk about sidelining
It’s an unfortunate reality of life that mindsets to flexible working in some companies are still less than upbeat. Anecdotal proof indicates it is even more withered on when it is a male employee making a proposal. That discrimination is, by all means, outrageous in the 21st century.
It may exemplify itself in modest ways. Yet, a worker who makes a thriving application for flexible working may be sidelined. Be it from the decision making and career advance. This is because (quite wrongly) their dedication is taken into doubt.
Cultural transformation takes time and is sadly happening gradually. Yet, most governments are strongly behind enabling flexible working for all. So, it is to be expected that more employers will adopt flexibility for teams.
The pros of requesting flexible working
Are you thinking about making a flexible working request? If so, you’ve presumably already thought prolonged and hard about some of the many cons. Flexible working can assist you to meet your other duties. That can perhaps be taking online courses or going to college. Or, it can be great for taking care of your old parents.
Let’s go through some of the pros of working with flexible hours. There sure are many of them!
Flexible working boosts productivity
What is the main advantage of working remotely with flexible hours? It can by all means contribute to you being more productive. What does that mean precisely? It is letting you work when you’re at your best. If you’re an early bird that may point to getting to your desk super early but allowing you to finish early too.
The same thing applies to night owls. Do you feel that your productivity rises at night? If so, you can do all the work in a timely manner while being a night owl. Think of preparing a few cups of coffee though!
A reduction in budget items
Working remotely or precisely in a co-working area can highly lower commuting time and expenses. A less commute can also have a very positive effect. How? Most importantly, it can reduce stress and tardiness. Imagine how many times you had to wake up two hours earlier just to get to work. On top of that, you stop to glance through the window and there is quite a lot you could see. It’s pouring outside. Just the thought of you having to leave your home makes you sick to your stomach. Well, remote workers don’t have these worries. Remote workers can enjoy every working day, without thinking of the weather or whether the bus will be late.
Now, let’s see what are the advantages that the employer has. That also matter of course. For your employer, flexible working can mean fewer expenses and overheads. This goes without saying! For instance, less office area and gear is a must, and employee travel costs are much less. So, what’s the conclusion? Working from home has advantages both for an employer and the employee. Especially when it comes to typical expenses.
Improved employee team spirit
Flexible working interpretations can boost employee well-being. Firstly by lowering stress and strengthening commitment. A boost to confidence helps with levels of scarcity and can enhance productivity. Various working hours and the comprehensive use of technology. This may even state your employer can present plentiful hours. The same goes for services or a more splendid scope to clients or customers.
In the end, team spirit and the performance of your work is what matters the most. This is the unwritten rule. Hence, there is goes another advantage.
Flexible working benefits recruitment
Recruitment is almost always a pivotal area for employers. That said, assembling a reputation can improve an employer’s reputation. This is the unwritten rule as it shows how both parties can have the benefits! By creating a flexible working feel you can help your employer in supporting its work. This goes without saying!
The conclusion
Before making your flexible working request, think about the following points first. You should be sincere with yourself about what kind of person you are. Ask yourself, are you an introvert or an extrovert, per se? How self-motivated and productive are you and do you react well to time spent on your own? These points matter.
You will also need to conscientiously think about what IT resources you will need to have. That way you will secure your working patterns don’t become less effective. What level of support can your company present to get you set up with the proper technology. Also, how trustworthy are its systems?
Are you interested in more profound details on making a flexible working request? If yes, you can always get in touch with one of the law professionals who will be able to deliver specialist advice and direction.