“Think about what constitutes performance in [your] “Job,” he says. In some fields and industries, like marketing or financial consulting, output is frequently tied to a particular project moderately than the variety of hours an worker spends on the clock. Many freelancers do that by charging flat fees: the time they spend on a project doesn’t matter, so long as they get it done.
In those cases, Friedman says, you would possibly give you the chance to barter a four-day week or flexible hours. “If the job is enjoyable, doesn’t involve time, doesn’t involve client contact and doesn’t have meetings, then by all means ask for it,” he says. “But you have to have a plan.”
4. Start with a discussion – not a negotiation
After all of your thought and research, it could be tempting to storm into your boss’s office and lay out your terms. Kaila-Gambhir advises against that — at the least at first. Instead, refer to your boss about the potential for working less. That way, “you’re not committing to anything. You’re not telling them what your optimal, ideal scenario looks like yet,” she says. “You just want to have a conversation — explore options and see what might be possible.”
This phase is not only about gathering more information in your proposal. It also shows your boss that you just understand their position as an employer who has to think about their very own business needs along with your request. You can then schedule a follow-up meeting to be sure the conversation stays on the right track, says Kaila-Gambhir.
If your boss won’t conform to a final change in your work schedule, this can be time to suggest a dry run of your proposal. A conversation may be less intimidating to an employer than an ultimatum-driven negotiation.
5. Be able to walk away
While it’s tempting to assume that absolutely every part in a job is negotiable, that is not at all times the case. For example, it could be very difficult for an intensive care nurse to persuade an employer to permit telecommuting. The same goes for a community center manager or a barista.
In fact, most jobs in Canada have never been done remotely. In April 2020, at the peak of the primary wave of COVID-19, it felt like everyone was at home. But Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey reported that 40% of Canadian staff worked predominantly from home. Last November, this proportion fell to twenty%.
For Friedman, asking for flexibility when the work cannot easily be done through other arrangements shouldn’t be strategy. That won’t persuade employers, he says, and will come across as presumptuous. If all else fails, on the lookout for a brand new job that accommodates your desire to work less would be the most suitable choice. Some job postings include details about working from home, flexible hours, part-time status, etc.
“Do you want a flexible job? Then maybe you should apply for another job that offers more flexibility,” he says. “I’m not telling you whether that’s right or wrong – I’m just saying that’s what an employer will say.”
Understand what you’re coping with
You might have to just accept reality: the chance to do business from home or outside office hours is probably not available in your current job, or your boss may feel that your work doesn’t positively impact their bottom line.
But Friedman, drawing from his experience as an executive coach, says many are open to changing the way in which their employees work. Negotiating a four-day work week, flexible hours or the choice to stop receiving emails at the tip of the day is entirely possible – so long as you do your homework and know how one can ask for it.
