Flexible working arrangements

Flexible working arrangements are about finding a balance between your work and personal responsibilities. They can help create a healthy, positive and productive working environment that can:

• improve job satisfaction
• increase trust and respect
• reduce stress levels.

There are benefits for employers too—staff are likely to be more motivated and more productive if they are happier in their work environment.

All employees can ask for flexible working arrangements, and negotiate this with their employer. Some of the options include:

• purchased leave
• compressed hours
• part-time hours
• flexible start and finish times or split shifts
• graduated return to work after a long absence or injury
• job sharing—where 2 or more employees work on a part-time basis and share 1 full-time position.

It is important to work with your employer to negotiate an arrangement that works for both parties.

Parents and carers

The National Employment Standards (NES) entitle parents and carers to ask for flexible working arrangements to help them care for their child.

All private sector employers in Queensland are bound by these standards.

Parents and carers can make a request for flexible working arrangements if they:

• have completed 12 months of continuous service with their employer immediately before making the request
• care for a child who is either
  • under school age
    or
  • under 18 and has a disability.

Find out more about flexible working arrangements and the NES, including your eligibility and your employer’s responsibilities.

Negotiating flexible working arrangements

Before you ask your employer about flexible working arrangements you should:

• consider both your personal situation as well as your employer’s situation and work out an arrangement you think will suit both parties
• plan your approach—make notes to take with you when you meet with your employer.

Once you are ready, put your request to your employer:

• State all the important facts, the reason why you want flexible working arrangements, and your ideas on how it may work for both you and the employer.
• Be flexible—the outcome may not be exactly what you want but it is important that you remain flexible to allow the best outcomes for both you and the business.

Read more about requesting and assessing flexible working arrangements.

The flexible working arrangements request tool can help make the negotiation process with your employer more transparent and easier to follow.

If you feel you are being treated unfairly or need more advice contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94.