As much as I love flexible work, I'm nervous that "flexibility" is turning into a corporate buzzword.

Becca Carnahan

July 19,2022 at 4:09PM UTC

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As much as I love flexible work, I'm nervous that "flexibility" is turning into a corporate buzzword. ?

We can't "circle back" to talk about flexibility.

We can't take the conversation about flexibility "offline."

We can't "move the needle" on flexibility by "pinging" someone later.

NOPE. ❌

Instead, we as individuals need to take ownership of what flexibility means to US so we can then effectively seek it out.

Otherwise, we'll be attracted to the buzzword "flexibility" when looking at opportunities without knowing what that really entails.

Here are some examples of what flexibility can mean:

? Remote work

? Hybrid work

? Hybrid work without a set schedule

? Work from anywhere

? Results-focused vs. Face-time focused

? Late start time

? Early end time

? Meeting free days

? Meeting free times of day

? 4-Day work week

? Autonomy

? Clear boundaries

? Job share

? Project-based work

? Part-time work

For me, flexibility is meeting-free time after 3pm and work from home.

For YOU, flexibility might be something different.

So before you get attracted to "flexibility" like a bee to a flower ?, define it for yourself and then ask the RIGHT questions to know if the flexibility a company offers is what you want.

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Chime in! ? What does flexibility mean to YOU?

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Audrey KirschJuly 19,2022 at 6:38PM UTC
Being able to go to an appointment, have an occasional long lunch, start late or leave early if necessary and work evenings or weekends if I choose to. I have an 8am to 5pm, Monday - Friday schedule but can adjust without advising my boss as long as the work is getting done and clients aren't being inconvenienced.
Becca CarnahanJuly 19,2022 at 6:56PM UTC
Love when there is trust and autonomy!
AnonymousJuly 20,2022 at 2:27PM UTC
My last job wanted open availability… My schedule changed drastically from week to week! I also had to work in multiple departments. They kept tacking on responsibilities. This made me feel like I had to be too flexible.
I got over this real quick! My current job has me on a set schedule and is much more convenient.
When places over abuse the term flexibility it just makes candidates know what their bottom lines are when searching for their next positions.
AnonymousJuly 22,2022 at 6:53PM UTC
You are so right! I feel like most people want flexibility to answer their messages and emails any time and not be constrained or penalized if they don't answer right away. It also would have been nice to have zero meetings lol. Meetings were never productive for me and caused me to work a lot of OT.