Do This Before You Ask for More Flexibility at Work.
Many people who work remotely or in a mixed job enjoy the benefits of a non-linear workday. This means working when it’s best for you, while still doing your job and living up to your boss’s expectations. For example, maybe you have energy early in the morning so you work from 5 am to 9 am, then you go to the gym for a workout, and then you go to the grocery store. Then you attend a few meetings, do extra work, and wrap up your day by 4:00 pm. A non-linear workday allows you to work at times that are convenient for you, which can also lead to efficiency gains because “you get the job done when you’re most productive.”
However, this is not a new concept. This is also referred to as part of the result-oriented work environment , or ROWE. It has been around for some time and is based on the fact that managers focus on the expected results of the work, and not on how these results are achieved.
Early in my career, I benefited from a boss who embraced this concept. She set specific hours for us to be in the office (Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 to 15:00); otherwise we could work whenever we want. She also benefited from it and would often leave in the middle of the day to attend her children’s school activities, go for a run, or visit her elderly parents. Ultimately, her message to us was: “Be here on the appointed days. Then do your job, however, at any time.
Whether it’s called a non-linear workday or ROWE, managers focus on results. This is the first and probably the most important aspect of how these mechanisms work. The workers then have flexibility, and they realize it through autonomy. They have control over when they work. It’s no surprise that efficiency increases, given that autonomy is one of the main components of our motivation .
If you, too, would like to take advantage of a non-linear workday, it’s worth talking to your boss about it. Considering how the world or work has changed in the past three years, many managers are at least open to the idea.
But, there are still some out there who aren’t . If you work for one of these managers, consider the following before bringing this up.
Recognize that not all jobs are designed for non-linear work
Working when and how you want does not satisfy the needs of all professions. Shift work where you have to provide services for a specific period of time (for example, call center employees, cleaners, doctors and nurses, teachers, etc.) often does not allow non-linear work.
Customer-focused positions also can’t be. Concierge positions, retail, and jobs that require a lot of coordination between people (such as program coordinators or account managers) may not offer much flexibility.
The point here is that non-linear work schedules do not apply to all jobs. Before asking, make sure your job is suitable for this.
Be good at your job
If your performance at work is uneven, meaning you miss deadlines, show up late for meetings, don’t respond to email, and make a lot of mistakes, then your request for a non-linear job may be rejected. Instead, clean it all up and demonstrate that you can live up to expectations for at least three months.
Many bosses don’t like non-linear work for mediocre or bad performers. Be good at your job. This means being reliable, trustworthy and helpful. After you demonstrate this, you can talk to your boss about making your work day more flexible.
Offer to test the idea and focus on results
If your job involves non-linear work and you’re already doing well, suggest an idea and start a conversation. Many of us are more likely to try something new if we know it won’t last forever, including managers. So when you tell your boss about non-linear work, offer to try it. Set a time frame, such as a month or maybe three months. Say that both of you can evaluate how things went after completing the test.
Then focus on results. What is the benefit to your boss for letting you work when you want? Don’t focus on the benefits for you. It’s about getting your boss to agree to it. Some managers feel they lose control when their teams show flexibility, which makes them resistant to it.
Will you do your job faster? Can you do more or come up with better ideas? Either way, focus on improving the results you will achieve with this new work schedule.
Maintain open communication with your manager
Discussing communication expectations before you start non-linear work will help you succeed. Talk to your boss about how you two will keep in touch. Would they like to receive regular updates on your progress towards results?
The purpose of this approach is to increase your manager’s level of confidence that you will perform just as well, if not better, in the new order. More importantly, your manager doesn’t want to be used, so being open about your work will only make it more likely that they think it’s a good idea too.