oh lazy days
Whilst fully realising that it’s dangerous to assume anything, I’m guessing that we’re all reading this in the comfort of our own homes? Curled up on the sofa with a cuppa or, taking account of our glorious summer weather, stretched out languorously on a teak steamer chair, cold beer in hand? Oh yes, we’re all taking advantage of the government’s new rules on flexible working rights, and enjoying the demise of the traditional work-based nine-to-five.
Of course, it’s not quite that simple. For starters, you have to have six month’s work under your belt and you only have the right to request such changes to your working life, not the right to be granted that request! Admittedly, your boss must consider any reasonable request according to statutory procedure, objectively and in a similarly reasonable manner, and notify you of the decision within three months. It’s all, in theory, pretty good and I am confident that many sensible and rational requests for an increased level of work flexibility will be accepted. But can I offer some words of wisdom?
ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT YOU DO STILL HAVE TO DO THE WORK. YOU DO. NO, REALLY, YOU REALLY, REALLY DO. Seriously, though, you will need to knuckle down, be conscientious and single-minded, pull your collective finger out and crack-on with your work. And to enable this here’s a plan:
– Keep your work bumph to one room and keep that room sacrosanct.
– Maintain a lunchtime and an elevens’ cuppa & digestive.
– Overcompensate at first but ensure this doesn’t become the norm and a rod-to-beat-you-over-the-head-with at your next review.
– Stay in touch with your colleagues on both work AND social matters. Don’t allow yourself to become ostracised.
– Communicate with your boss and nip any potential problems in the bud, soon as.
– NEVER accept anything to do with zero-hours contracts. Ever. Upon pain of death.
