The Proposal Form is at the heart of Our Company’s Proposal and Review Process. It is to be completed for new participant arrangements and schedule modifications made to those arrangements. This form is a tool to help you think through ways to do your job more flexibly and efficiently. This version has brief tips for managers and
employees to help think through the questions and answers.
Some flexible work arrangements may be available as accommodations under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and other applicable state or federal laws in the US.
Employees who may be eligible for and wish to request an accommodation under the provisions of such laws should contact their HR
representative. The process described on this site applies only to voluntary,
employee initiated flexible arrangement proposals unrelated to legally-protected rights.
Click here
to download a Word version of the Proposal Form.
Name
Job Title
Department or Cost Center
Date Request Submitted
Manager
Arrangement Requested
Telecommuting
Remote Work FlexTime Part-Time Job
Share Compressed
Work Week
Combination/Other (Please
Specify.) Describe your current schedule and your proposed schedule:
Days/Hours
Current
Schedule
Proposed
Schedule
On-Site
Off-Site
On-Site
Off-Site
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Total
Hours
Note: Some simple guidance is provided to “employees” and “managers” for the first six questions on this form. The “Flexibility Process Training” is very helpful in more fully clarifying what is expected when you fill out the form. Do visit or revisit that training.
1.
In
what ways might this proposed way of working allow you to
maintain or improve your
individual performance or
contribution?
Employees: The focus here is on how changing the way you work gives you a chance to “work better.” For example, if you undertake a reduced schedule, you can “redesign out” the low value work in favor of the most productive activities.
Manager: You have a unique and valuable role to play in helping tease out this added value. You know the overall work process, the person and what’s possible.
2. How might this way of working improve the way you and your team deliver
services?
Employees: This is where
the positive impacts on the business emerge. For example, a flextime schedule might allow far better communication with East Coast or global
clients.
Manager: Encourage and support your staff through this challenging process. Don’t dismiss it or settle for pseudo-value. Your leadership in this area will serve
Our Company and your people well.
3. What
challenges could the proposal raise with your a) manager b)
team or co-workers
c) internal clients and d) external clients?
Employees: Don’t take the easy route: pay attention to each and imagine their complaints on the most difficult day. Thus a newer co-worker may see your absence as responsible for heavy
workload.
Manager: You have the high ground. Use your awareness to make sure these are the real challenges.
4. What solution(s) do you propose to overcome each of the
challenges raised in question 3?
Employees: Avoid a stock solution to all the challenges. Real challenges demand real solutions, and the thought that goes with them. Thus you might meet with your overworked colleague to help figure out the sources of the problem, and adjust if they include
you.
Managers: If you validate challenges, then validating solutions only follows. And in the long run makes your job easier.
5.
What outcomes and measurements (both qualitative and quantitative) do
you propose
that you and your manager use to assess your
performance?
Employees: Defining clear improvements in the way you work and positive impacts on clients and the business lays the groundwork for good metrics. Proposing a 10% increase in your monthly deliverables or a 25% reduction in access complaints from global customers is easy to
track.
Manager: Most likely you have more experience with metrics and measurements. Don’t hold back. OUTCOMES
MEASUREMENTS
6. What review process do you propose that you and your manager use to constructively monitor
and improve your option?
Employees: Be imaginative and practical in setting reviews. Usually saying “I’ll include it in my regular performance review” suggests that it will be overlooked since the positive impacts of your new arrangement are not in the regular review. Be assertive in scheduling, sticking to and coming prepared to your review
sessions.
Manager: You’re very busy. Avoiding one more review is tempting. But metrics don’t matter if they’re not measured, and improvement is typically not self-generating. Reviews matter.
7.What would be one or more warning signs that this arrangement isn't working?
8.Describe any additional
equipment/expense that the arrangement might require
(if applicable).
9.Detail any short
or long-term cost savings that could resultfrom your new arrangement to
offset any expenses mentioned in
question 8.
For US employees only – I understand that approval of this proposal does not constitute and will not be construed as a contract, term, condition, or benefit of employment. I understand that my employment with
Our Company is “at will,” meaning that my employment can terminate, with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time, at my option or
Our Company’s option, and that Our Company can terminate or change the terms and conditions of my employment, with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time. I also understand that the flexible schedule itself may be modified or revoked by
Our Company at any time. I further understand that if my flexible work arrangement request is granted, I may later request to resume my current regular schedule, but that this request will be subject to approval by
Our Company and may or may not be granted.
OPTIONS:
[For employees in Canada and Puerto Rico only – I understand that approval of this proposal does not constitute and will not be construed as a contract, term, condition, or benefit of employment. I also understand that the flexible schedule itself may be modified or revoked by
Our Company at any time. I further understand that if my flexible work arrangement request is granted, I may later request to resume my current regular schedule, but that this request will be subject to approval by
Our Company and may or may not be
granted.]
[For employees in Europe – I understand that submission of this proposal does not constitute a contract, term, condition or benefit of employment. If the proposal is approved,
Our Company reserves the right to review the arrangement and change or discontinue it where it deems necessary, in the event that there are changes to
Our Company’s business, personnel or the employee’s position which means that the continuation of the employee’s flexible schedule is no longer feasible.]
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Employee's Name (please
print)
Signature
Date
