Before you take the plunge and try out a new way of working, have a look at this plan of action and make sure you're really ready

The first thing to do is identify your needs

• Do you need more time at the beginning and/or end of each day?
• Do you need one or more days free during the week? Do they need to be next to the weekend or could they be midweek?
• Do you want to be able to spend all, some or most of the school holidays with children?
• Could you manage on a lower income, if necessary?
• Will you be able to manage the changes to your employment rights, your pension or your holiday entitlement?
• Will changing your working hours affect your status at work or your chances of promotion?
• Will your feelings of job-satisfaction be lessened if you choose to work fewer hours?
• Is this a short-term or long-term option?

Consider which of the various flexible working options will best suit you. It could be useful to talk these through with your employer. You may discover, once you take up the option, that there are unforeseen problems. It may be easier for your employer to help you make further adjustments, if they are aware of how you balanced out all the various factors. However, you may decide that it is best to talk things through with your employer only after you have a clear idea of what you want.

Once you're clear about your needs, think through how changing your working hours will affect your employer

• Will there be costs and/or savings?
• Will staffing levels be affected?
• How will any changes affect your fellow workers?

Does your company already have a policy on flexible working? Check your contract to see if it has provisions for flexible working. The human resources or personnel department should be able to give you details of your employer’s policy on flexible hours. They may also tell you if any of your colleagues already have a more flexible working arrangement. Depending on the circumstances, it’s a good idea to talk to these colleagues, and ask them if they have discovered any advantages or disadvantages that weren’t obvious before they began their new working pattern

For further information

• New Ways to Work, 309 Upper Street, London N1 2TY (020 7930 3355) offers information on flexible working to individuals, unions and employers
• The Home Office Partnership website
• The TUC website
• European Teleworking Online
• Parents at Work, 45 Beech Street, London EC2Y 8AD (020 7628 3565; fax: 7628 3591) offers advice, leaflets and guides, including: The Employees’ Guide to Flexible Working (practical advice on preparing a flexible working proposal and how to approach your manager) £3.99 – £3.50 to members – inc p&p