Refusing to Put Flexible Work Arrangement in Writing (employee, interview, work from home)

[BigGunz]

I'm about to accept a position with a company that has claimed they will allow me to work a flexible schedule. That means some of the time I can work from home, a compressed schedule, etc. on a routine basis - not as if it's going to be something out of the norm for me. However, my boss to be refuses to put this language in an official offer letter.

Does this raise a red flag? Should I refuse to sign on with them and walk? I don't want them pulling stuff later saying they "never agreed to that."

[ccm123]

From my experience, these arrangements are usually "gentleman's agreements" and are never put in writing on the offer letter, as they can be subject to change, based on the needs of the business.

Forcing a company to out such things in writing may make it appear that you are out for yourself and not the interests of the company.

[charlygal]

Are these policies mentioned in your employee manual? Usually, that is all a company will put in writing. A vague mention in a manual. Each manager is given the discretion to allow the flexible schedule or not.

Have you verbally talked about the type of schedule you want?

[boxus]

I agree with the other posters; things like this are in the employee manual, and are usually subject to a "gentleman's agreement"; which in any case if it was in writing, would most likely still have a provision for the agreement to be terminated at the company's discretion.

I have worked form home and on a flex schedule for years, no formal agreement or anything, it is just in the employee handbook, and the company can change this policy at any time.

The only time I could maybe see some formal writing is if the person was a remote worker, as in working in a different state, thus the company could just not order the employee to the office the next day or face termination.

[ccm123]

In my current position (technical field sales), I work from home about 25-50% of the week, the remaining 25-50% is spent traveling to customer offices, etc. I am in the office perhaps one day a week, if that. This was never indicated in the offer letter, it came about when we discussed the working conditions of the position during the interview process.

[veuvegirl]

Many people go through this. I definitely think it could be a red flag. If they decide to not allow you to be flexible, they will. Weigh your options and do what you think is best.

[Hemlock140]

We have those options in writing as company policy but there is a disclaimer "subject to supervisory approval on an individual basis" or something like that.
Currently I have no one being allowed to work flex, but do allow a telecommute day here and there when asked as long as it can be justified by needing extra attention without interruptions for a specific project, or if the person has trouble getting in due to the weather.