Will it take a volcano to unleash an explosion of strategic workplace flexibility?

I’ve been talking for years about workplace flexibility as an important strategic tool for employers as well as workers. I’ve long thought that in a time of uncertainty, whether it arrived in the form of a flu outbreak, hurricane, earthquake, or other emergency, it would be very helpful for companies to be able to carry on in some capacity when their employees had to stay at home. It feels like we’re in very unpredictable, uncontrollable times, and companies need to be as nimble as possible, with a plan A and solid plan B for backup.

Just this morning I was asking Ellen Galinsky, president of the Families and Work Institute, what it would take to get employers to finally see flexibility as a valuable strategy for them, not just a favor for their workers. I interviewed her for The Mojo Mom Podcast and you can hear her response on Friday when the show airs.

But then this afternoon the public radio show The World ran an interesting segment about the erupting Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull (just had to put that awesomely unpronounceable name in there). With the massive air travel disruptions in Europe caused by the eruption, it sounds like businesses are truly rethinking their travel strategies. What travel is truly necessary versus optional? A few days in London sounds like fun until you encounter the hassle and expense of getting stranded there. How can virtual meetings fill in the gaps when air travel is not practical? How well can we develop relationships and get work done that way?

I don’t think we’ve seen the end of business travel, but I can’t help but hope that a boss’ backup plan may go hand-in-hand with employees’ legitimate desires for being evaluated on results rather than face time, and working whenever and whenever they have to in order to get their work done. And remember, if you ever have to propose an alternative work arrangement, don’t shrink into the corner as though you are asking for a special favor. Instead, put on your most confident face and present it as a win-win for you and your employer.

Balancing Professionals career experts Kella Hatcher and Maryanne Perrin lead you through this process in their chapter in “Courageous Parents, Confident Kids,” and in their resource “The On-Ramping Guide: Tips, Exercises and Important Job Search Steps for Returning to Work After Time Out Raising Kids.” Visit the Mojo Store for more details.