The rest of your schedule is largely determined by your work schedule. For instance, working parents require advance notice of their shifts during a given workweek in order to make childcare arrangements. Workers who rely on public transportation must be aware of their scheduled hours of work in order to plan their trips and arrive at the office on time.
- Write down your name and address.
- Include the date you send the letter.
- Add your employer’s name and address.
- Include greetings and a request for schedule change.
- Mention previous schedule and your new schedule.
- Add the reason you’re asking for the change.
Types of schedule changes you can ask for at work
The most typical schedule modifications that people ask for at work include the following:
Flex schedule
With this schedule, an employee works a predetermined number of hours in the office and then is free to work the remaining hours whenever and wherever they want.
Remote work
When an employee works remotely, they do all of their work from home or another remote location outside the office.
Compressed schedule
An employee who works this kind of schedule condenses their hours into fewer days of the week. For example, instead of working 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. An employee may request to start working at 7 a.m. from Monday through Friday. m. to 5 p. m. Monday through Thursday and have Fridays off.
Hour change
When an employee requests to work a different schedule of hours than what they are currently working, this is known as an hour change. For instance, a worker might request to start at 7 a.m. m. to 3 p. m. instead of 9 a. m. to 5 p. m.
What is a schedule change at work?
Any modification to your work schedule that affects your current working hours or location is a schedule change. For example, if you normally work from 7 a. m. to 3 p. m. , you can ask for a shift in your workday to begin at 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. to allow you to take your children to school. You might be able to work different hours by switching to a work-from-home schedule, depending on how your organization runs and your manager’s preferences.
How to request a schedule change at work
You can use the following procedures to convince your manager to change your schedule:
1. Determine exactly what youre requesting
Prior to submitting a schedule change request, you must first determine exactly what you are requesting. Decide, for instance, whether you want to work from home three days per week or every day until further notice. Also, decide whether you’ll keep working during your regular hours or shift to a different time. To avoid confusion and effectively communicate your request to your manager, be as specific as you can.
2. Understand what kind of request is appropriate and realistic for your company
Since every business is unique, some are unable to comply with an employee’s single or repeated requests to work from home. For this reason, it’s crucial to comprehend exactly what is feasible for your business when requesting a change in schedule. Before meeting with your manager, think about speaking with a representative from human resources to gain more insight.
3. Schedule a meeting with your manager
Request a meeting with your manager to go over your proposal once you have decided on the specific type of schedule change you will ask for and the associated details.
4. State your case
Give your manager a thorough overview of your request for a schedule change, detailing how, where, and when you want to work. Particularly if you intend to maintain this schedule for an extended period of time, be sure to mention how this schedule change will benefit your manager and your team.
5. Set clear expectations
Take the time to set up clear expectations with your manager regarding your new schedule, in addition to talking about the specifics of your schedule change request and how it might benefit your manager and team. Determine how you will be responsible for your daily workload, for instance, if your manager permits you to work from home. You can either create a document that is shareable with your manager that you update each time a task is finished, or you can update your manager at the end of each business day regarding the work you completed that day.
Setting expectations can help allay any productivity worries your manager may have as you adjust to a new work schedule.
6. If approved, transition as professionally as possible
If your manager agrees to your request to change your schedule, transition as professionally as you can. For instance, if you are permitted to work remotely, sign in to your work platform every morning at the predetermined time and be accessible during business hours. Stay in touch with your manager and team, finish your work on time.
When taking part in video calls, present yourself professionally and behave as though you were in the office. Despite the more relaxed atmosphere of working from home, it’s still important to maintain your professionalism to convince your manager that you’re serious about your schedule change and dedicated to your job.
Tips to keep in mind when requesting a change in your work schedule
Here are some suggestions to take into account when requesting a schedule change at work:
request work schedule change
FAQ
How do you ask for a work schedule change?
- Determine exactly what you’re requesting.
- Recognize the types of requests that are reasonable and appropriate for your business.
- Schedule a meeting with your manager.
- State your case.
- Set clear expectations.
- If approved, transition as professionally as possible.
How do I ask my boss for a shift change?
Dear Sir/Madam, I kindly request that you change my office shift from the night shift to the day shift. My daily shift is currently scheduled to run from ___ pm to ___ am. But I’d prefer to switch it to a day shift from ___ am to ___ pm.
What’s a good reason to change your work schedule?
According to studies, having a flexible work schedule can actually increase your productivity. You can work more effectively if you have the flexibility to do so whenever and wherever you want. Syverson asserts that a sound time-off policy increases workplace productivity.
