Questions to ask when considering flexible working arrangements

Below are a series of questions managers should ask themselves before accepting or rejecting flexible work arrangements.

Below are a series of questions managers should ask themselves before accepting or rejecting flexible work arrangements.

☐	Do I need to grant a flexible working arrangement to this employee as per the Fair Work Act, award, or agreement?
☐	How appropriate is the flexible work arrangement that has been proposed?
☐	Has the employee made it clear what they are hoping to seek from this arrangement?
☐	How long will the arrangement be in place?
☐	Can work objectives be met another way if the flexible work arrangement is put in place?
☐	How will the arrangement impact on the current work team and its priorities?
☐	Does the request require a level of resourcing that can be accommodated?
☐	How will workload issues be covered – does this present an opportunity to develop other team members?
☐	Does the employee have face-to-face client contact, and if so, how can this arrangement be considered without disruption to the service provided?
☐	Will the proposed flexible working arrangement adequately address the employee concerns, and reason for seeking a flexible work arrangement?
☐	Will the employee’s arrangement impact their participation in important team events?
☐	Do you have suggestions for alternative arrangements that may suit the employee and the work team if you can’t accommodate their original request?
☐	Does the arrangement require a contract variation, or can it be accommodated informally?
☐	How will the arrangement be documented?
☐	How often will we review this arrangement to ensure it is working?

Created:

30 June 2021

Included are a series of questions managers should ask themselves before accepting or rejecting flexible work arrangements.

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