This is my advice for dealing with flexible working requests.  Also great advice to give as an HR lead within an organisation.  Even if this conversation is hypothetical.


A great opener when discussing a flexible working application with a manager could be – “Let’s imagine we are saying yes what does that mean?


You can then work through the challenges (in line with a formal request process).


  • Customers
  • What would it mean for the customers?
  • Would the service be compromised?
  • How could we avoid this?


  • Team
  • How would this impact the rest of team?
  • Would anyone need to do more?
  • Do they have capacity?
  • How could this work?


  • Employee
  • Why do they want this change?
  • What happens if they don’t get it?
  • What happens if they do get it?


  • Cost
  • Any cost/pay/overtime implications
  • Weigh any costs versus goodwill or resignations


  • Overall
  • What kind of employer do we want to be?
  • Does it feel like we should?
  • What’s the worst thing that could happen?


Once all of this is considered, if you are still not sure or learning towards a no – then pull out your golden ticket – THE TRAIL PERIOD.  Give it a go, for 4 weeks - or whatever seems sensible, and see what happens.  You might be surprised (and hopefully in a good way).


Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash