Continually improve your communication and set clear expectations with these tips.
1. Consider what flexibility is possible for your team
It's up to you to decide which flexible work strategies are the best fit for your team members’ roles and responsibilities.
Use these questions as a guide:
- Does your specific college or division have flexible work guidelines?
- What meetings, days, or timeframes require everyone to be in the office?
- How might your team members’ ensure expected response times are maintained?
- If you have meetings scheduled within short notice, could employees working remotely attend by calling in?
- How might your flexibility support business goals and increase productivity?
- How many team members have interest in flexible work and how will this impact the team?
2. Talk to your team about flexible work proactively
We highly recommend that you initiate some conversations about flexible work. This is your opportunity to lead, set expectations, and learn how you can best support your team.
What to consider sharing with your team:
- Guidelines for your specific college or division if you have them, or consider developing them
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Your thoughts about what flexibility is possible for them
- Use the language in our flexible work strategies outlined on our website
- Discuss any barriers you considered Invite their creative solutions if possible
- Show them the request form they could use to submit their proposal
Discuss flexible work during:
- One-on-one meetings with each team member
- Team meetings
3. Manage requests from your team for flexible work
We provide a request form for employees to submit their request to you, which asks them to outline a developed proposal. The form was designed to work in many scenarios, whether they submit the form to initiate the conversation with you, or if you ask them to submit it.
What to know about the form:
- Ensure your team member completes the form before a flexible work agreement begins.
- You’ll receive an email when your team member completes it that includes questions we recommend you consider as you review it.
- It’s up to you to decide whether to approve, request revisions or deny the request.
4. Continue to check in with your team members who use flexible work
For everyone’s benefit, evaluate what’s working and what’s not throughout the agreement.
We recommend checking in during:
- The first 90 days
- Regular one-on-one meetings
- Near the end of the agreement to discuss whether to renew
What to discuss:
- Is work completed and deadlines met?
- Is there a change in quality of work?
- Is communication effective?
- Is overall performance impacted?