According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 27.4 million full-time and salaried workers, age 16 and older, were on flexible schedules in 2004. That doesn’t even count consultants, sole proprietors and business owners who may also be following flex time schedules!

Whether self-employed or in a corporate setting, you’ve probably dreamed of having a flexible work schedule yourself. Your ideal may be fewer work days each week or at-home telecommuting.

But the reality of flex time may clash with your ideal. Before you radically change how you work, consider these three questions:

Am I really ready to flex my work?
You might think that you’re flexible and willing to change. After all, you have kids, the ultimate in dealing with unpredictability!

But changing the way you work may be harder than you think.

If you’ve worked the corporate 9-to-5 for your entire career and are used to being in the office five days a week, you may miss co-workers and contact with supervisors and mentors. Are you self-motivated and self-disciplined enough to avoid indulging in household chores or pleasures if you work from home?

If you own your own business and work 24/7 now, turn down social occasions because of work and fear of missing client calls, will flex time decrease or add to your stress?

What are my motives for changing my work situation?
If you want to escape portions of work you don’t enjoy – phone calls, interruptions or staff meetings – reducing the time you spend in the office may seem like a no-brainer. But rest assured, those problems will remain and may even worsen if you change your work schedule.

Being absent for a few hours may make it harder to cope with those problems on your return hours. So, consider if flex time benefits provide enough positive reinforcement to carry you through disagreeable portions of work, or, if you basically need to rethink your entire job or career.

Can I afford to change how I work?
Flex time may result in reduced income. Realistically determine your budget and the amount of cash and fringe benefits you and your family need to survive and prosper. Also consider the impact a flexible schedule may have on your career. Will you be stepping out of the “fast track” and is that O.K.?

Needs Checklist
Bottom line, you must be crystal clear about your needs before you ask for or adopt flex time. Make sure you’ve considered how flex time will impact every item on the needs list below.

• Career – Professional recognition, sense of achievement, advancement.
• Personal life– Time for you, your spouse or significant other, friends and family. Spiritual, social and physical needs.
• Parenting –Time at home with children and at after-school events.
• Income – Your budget.
• Benefits – Health insurance, disability insurance and other coverage.