Flexible schedule and virtual work

[divegrl]

Hi all!

 

So I have an upcoming job interview. As this company is located quite a bit away from me I will need to have a flexible schedule and be able to work remotely. When is the best time to discuss these types of arrangements with future employer?

 

I guess my options are: during the interview, when they offer me the job, or the first day of work.

 

Does any one have any experience with negotiating flexible schedules with employers?

 

Thanks so much my friends!!!!!

[Mr. Lucky]

Does any one have any experience with negotiating flexible schedules with employers?

 

From the employer side, I'd want to know early on during the interview if this was one of your requirements, simply to avoid wasting both our time if it's not possible.

 

Was there anything in the job posting or ad that makes you believe either of these conditions of employment would be available?

 

Mr. Lucky

[divegrl]

From the employer side, I'd want to know early on during the interview if this was one of your requirements, simply to avoid wasting both our time if it's not possible.

 

Was there anything in the job posting or ad that makes you believe either of these conditions of employment would be available?

 

Mr. Lucky

 

Hi!

 

Thank you for your response. Yes, the job listing stated that virtual office was available. Also, office hours were based on manager discretion.

 

When an employer lists this in the job description, do they have some type of ideal schedule? Or is based on the feel and qualifications of the employee?

 

Thanks so much!!!!

[MetallicHue]

I worked at large and small corporations that have allowed virtual work but they were pretty set about working fairly regular hours. I can’t speak for whatever company you’re interviewing for but what type of flex work arrangement would you be looking for? At least in the general context of what Ive seen I can comment if it’s something that employers have I’ve worked for have gone for. I agree with discussing earlier on and definitely not the day you start the job.

[d0nnivain]

Since it was in the ad, just ask what they meant by it in the interview. Do not give hard & fast concrete demands on your side at the interview. If they offer you the job, then you can negotiate the specifics unless you have already ruled out the company based on what they said at the interview.

[alphamale]

during the interview sister

[Foxhall]

Seeing as this was mentioned in the description, Id imagine the interviewer will bring it up at the interview,

 

"Are you interested in the remote working option"

 

so be prepared to discuss this in detail at the interview and have in mind a travel schedule that will work for you.

 

It is a concept that is becoming quite popular in the accountancy area,

 

a former colleague of mine set up a practice and is actually employing people who are living in China,

even time differences and so on are not insurmountable problems.

 

a lot of this is workable with cloud based computer systems etc.

 

if you know your stuff and are good enough to do the job is probably the key,

if you need help and assistance it may be more difficult to make it work.

[spiritedaway2003]

It's best to bring it up during the interview.

 

It need not to be a hard demand on your side, but inquiring and understanding it what it is that they offer first in terms of remote arrangement. Then use it as an opportunity to bring up what would work for you given your situation.

 

Definitely during the interview, and good luck!

[divegrl]

Hi all!!

 

Thank you for all your feed back! I had my interview and it went well!

 

So I inquired about remote office and they said yes that was an option. I told them I would like to work remotely 2x a week. And at first they said , Yes! That is definitely doable. Then they said, well we really don’t have the authority to grant schedules.

 

Ummm ok.

 

So I have a second round interview. And this lady is the one I should negotiate the schedule with. So I guess I will have to wait until the next interview to see if this organization is compatible.

 

Also they told me that office hours were 11-7! What! On the job description, the hours listed were 9-5. Then they said, well basically everyone just sets their own hours.

 

Again their responses left me baffled. They seemed quite opposite. Maybe it was the long weekend and everyone was just hungover, who knows!!!

 

Thank you again for all the advice. I will keep posting!

[alphamale]

something fishy is going on divegrl, be wary

[Eternal Sunshine]

When something feels off during the interview process, heed the warning. Always a sign of worse to come when you are employed. Obviously if you need the job badly then disregard this.

[Geraltt]

So I inquired about remote office and they said yes that was an option. I told them I would like to work remotely 2x a week. And at first they said , Yes! That is definitely doable. Then they said, well we really don’t have the authority to grant schedules...

 

...Also they told me that office hours were 11-7! What! On the job description, the hours listed were 9-5. Then they said, well basically everyone just sets their own hours.

 

Again their responses left me baffled. They seemed quite opposite.

 

Something doesn't feel right here.

 

Have you done some online searches to see the reputation of the employer? Granted, not all online reputations sites are valid, but if you start to see a pattern emerge, then that might be an indicator of something.

 

Perhaps it's all just some miscommunication. But then again, perhaps there's something that's just not quite right. Be careful.

[divegrl]

Hi All!

 

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I agree there are some definite issues. I could sense it from the people I interviewed with.

 

And

 

I do not have a job. So if I get the schedule and pay I require I will accept. While also continuing my job search. Just to note, this is a very old organization, run mostly by volunteers. There are very few paid positions, less then 10.

 

Thanks so much everyone!