Flexibility is a top concern for most women in the workforce. Flexible work formats, such as remote and hybrid work, flextime, and compressed workweeks, have allowed many women to exercise more autonomy over their schedules and achieve greater balance—even as they continually redefine what work-life balance means for them.
Understandably, ongoing return-to-office (RTO) mandates have caused concern for women who enjoy or rely on flexible work. A recent InHerSight poll shows that flexibility is the primary thing women fear losing if they are ordered to return to the office.
Returning to the office is a big adjustment, but it shouldn’t require you to sacrifice all your freedom. Maintain some flexibility by realistically assessing your options, preparing to advocate for yourself, and considering how you can return to the office in a way that works for you—here are 15 strategies that can help you get started.
15 ways to maintain flexibility when returning to the office
1. Communicate your needs
Ask to meet one-on-one with your direct supervisor within the first two weeks of returning to the office. Use this time to ask specific questions about how they will enforce the mandate and share any updates regarding your schedule. For example, if you recently started a side job, enrolled your kids in sports, or have other commitments that require you to alter your schedule on specific days, share that with your supervisor during the meeting. Reiterate that you want to do your best work during this transition back to the office and tell your supervisor how they can help you make that happen.
2. Review accommodation options
Not wanting to return to the office is one thing, but not being able to is another. If you have a health issue or disability that prevents you from returning to the office, contact your HR department as soon as you learn about the mandate. Request a copy of the most recently updated company policy regarding employee accommodations, then use that to guide your next steps. Your company’s specific guidelines may vary, but you might be required to inform your employer about your condition, document your request in writing, and get a signed accommodation letter and medical documentation from your physician.
Consult reputable resources, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Job Accommodation Network (JAN), and ADA National Network before you request an accommodation from your employer.
3. Negotiate some leeway
Some employers will firmly enforce the RTO mandate, refusing to budge under any circumstances. Other employers may be more flexible, particularly if you’ve already proven yourself to be a high-performing employee who has made notable contributions to the company.
Even if you cannot negotiate permanent remote work, you may be able to negotiate other forms of flexibility, such as:
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Half days
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Flex hours
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Alternate schedule
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Compressed workweek
Here is an example of how you can clearly state your request:
“I’m looking forward to continuing to do my best work and would be most effective in that if I have flex hours. I can report to the office at 7AM Monday through Friday, then leave for the day by 3:30PM. Getting in earlier ensures I have a smoother commute, and can work when I am most alert, all while causing minimal disruption to my team. I’d love to get this on file with HR as my permanent schedule. Can we move this forward today?”
If your employer pushes back on the days or hours you’ve requested, continue negotiating to reach a fair agreement that works for both parties. If your employer denies your request altogether, ask if they are open to providing any other alternatives. If they are not, decide if you want to return to the office on their terms or start looking for a new job.
4. Schedule focus time
Returning to the office often comes with distractions, such as unscheduled meetings and noisy coworkers. You can reduce distractions by building focus time into your schedule. Most online calendars have a focus time feature you can use to automatically mute notifications and decline meetings. As an alternative, you can manually block time on your calendar. Use this time to work on a specific project, stretch, or take a break.
5. Schedule meetings for 45 minutes instead of 60
Most meetings are scheduled for at least one hour but they don’t have to be. If you are meeting with a group for a brief touch point, schedule the meeting for 45 minutes, wrap it up on time, and then use the rest of that hour to go to the restroom, grab a snack, or get some quiet time before your next meeting.
6. Opt out of unnecessary meetings
You probably have multiple meetings on your calendar each week, but you may not need to attend all of them. Get into the habit of checking each meeting agenda as soon as it’s added to your calendar. Review the details and decide if you need to attend. If you don’t need to be there, catch up with a coworker to see what you missed or review the meeting minutes later. This is a good way to conserve your time and energy for the things you do need to be present for.
7. Plan to use all your PTO
You’ve earned your paid time off (PTO), but you may not be using all of it. Make a plan to use all your PTO throughout the year. Try to request the time off well in advance to make sure it’s approved.
Whether you use your PTO for a major vacation or a quiet week at home, plan as many breaks as you can and spread them out so that you always have some personal time to look forward to.
8. Work out during your break
Heading back to the office means you may get less movement during the day and, according to a report from the Deloitte Economics Institute and the American Optometric Association, increase your risk for eye strain, headaches, and neck and back pain due to long periods of sitting and excessive screen time.
Instead of working through your lunch, take a walk or complete a fitness class to mitigate the risks associated with sedentary work. Check to see if your company offers a gym pass as an employee benefit or has a fitness center nearby. This will help you take care of your body, regulate your mood, and reduce stress, despite having to return to the office.
9. Beat the traffic
Commuting is one of the most challenging parts of returning to the office. Schedule your day so you can leave the office early enough to beat the traffic. In most areas, traffic jams start around 5 p.m., so if you can schedule your day to leave earlier, you can cut through some of the traffic, get home sooner, and enjoy more time to yourself. Talk to your supervisor about a shifted schedule—even leaving early in the afternoon and finishing work at home—in order to fulfill the in-office requirement and beat traffic. Once again, negotiate.
10. Consider switching to part-time
Part-time work comes with reduced pay and benefits, but it also comes with fewer work hours, which gives you the freedom to explore other career opportunities, focus on your personal interests, and spend more time with family.
If the change in pay and benefits is workable for you, consider asking your employer to switch from full-time to part-time. Highlight the ways this arrangement can benefit your employer, such as spending less on employee benefits and retaining a valued employee who already knows how things work.
11. Keep work at work
To maintain flexibility after returning to the office, leave your laptop at work, remove work apps from your personal phone, and communicate realistic timelines for project completion and email responses. For example, instead of promising to follow up on a matter “as soon as possible”, you can send a response like this:
“Thank you for making me aware of this. I will look into it and follow up shortly, as my schedule permits.”
This type of response lets the other person know that you will find a resolution in a reasonable amount of time but leaves some wiggle room for you to do that at your convenience.
12. Outsource household tasks
One of the perks of working remotely is being able to start a load of laundry or clear some dishes during your break, so returning to the office means no longer being able to multitask. If your budget allows, outsource household tasks, like house cleaning, laundry, or product assembly. Doing so allows you to take a few things off your plate so that you can readjust to being back in the office and still get things done at home.
13. Invest in a meal kit service
After a work commute, you might be too tired to even think about preparing a meal. Companies like HelloFresh, Home Chef, and Splendid Spoon come with the recipes and ingredients you need to make quick meals, which gives you the flexibility to handle other tasks, spend more time with family, or rest.
14. Pack your ‘go’ bag the night before
As you prepare to return to the office, saving even 5 to 10 minutes each day will help ease the transition. Pack a bag that includes everything from your favorite snack to your preferred pair of headphones so that in the morning, you can sleep a bit longer, enjoy a longer shower, or start your commute sooner, all of which can make for an easier start to the day.
15. Set realistic expectations
Whether you worked remotely for one month or one year, returning to the office is an adjustment that requires time and patience. As you adapt to being back in the office, set realistic expectations around your schedule, tasks, and goals. Give yourself ample time to ease back into your routine and ask for help when you need more time or resources to do your job well.
