Are you willing to leave?

I recently ran in to another working mom who I haven't seen in awhile. She let me know that her employer was finally letting her work from home a few days a week. Her hour commute was making it almost impossible to pick her kids up from day care on time and she had been asking to telecommute for a long time.

I wish I could say that her employer finally 'got it' and figured out that allowing her to work from home was a good business decision. Because she doesn't have to rush to get her kids, she probably will actually be working more. And without office distractions, she will probably be working more efficiently most days. Not to mention the improved productivity that will most likely result because of her improved attitude toward her work. She already is less stressed and appreciates the new arrangement.

But, as happens so frequently, the company only offered her the telecommuting option after she told them she was planning to leave. Faced with losing her talents, the company finally determined they could allow her to work from home.

Being willing to leave is your last option in negotiating for flexibility. But if you want to ask for flexibility and are commited to your request, you have to be willing to leave. Now I am not suggesting that you start the negotiation with 'give it to me or I'll leave.' But, in your mind you must be so commited to your requested change that you will look for another opportunity if you must. If you start the negotiation then you must be wiling to see it through until the end.

Unfortunately with the economy as a whole not doing so well, many companies are cutting back and unemployment rates are up. Your willingness to leave does not have as much leverage if you are easily replaced. But now is the time to begin planning your strategy if you want flexible work. The time to ask may not be just yet, but starting to work to build your business case for flexibiity will get you moving in the right direction.