Making Flexibility More I-Deal: Advancing Work-Life Equality Collectively

Current research on negotiated individualized flexible work arrangements focuses highly paid, skilled professional workers. We refer to this as “flexibility through privilege,” the ability obtain I-deals,” due high labor market power. Yet work-life tensions grow across occupations globally, most individuals need increased access flexibility. As COVID-19 pandemic illuminated, equality, of workers have equal to, opportunity use, and benefit from working is a rising form job inequality. examine how existing flexibility i-deals can be reconceptualized more broadly include collectively bargained many occupations, forms. Our essay advances understanding by (1) broadening notions typical employee occupation involved; (2) expanding negotiation processes beyond an organizational sphere control; (3) identifying new forms such control over boundaries technological availability; (4) addressing not only employer-employee mutual benefits, but larger societal interests concurrent with unintended consequences mainstreamed implementation. propose term “collective flexibility” collective right customize their schedule, place, workload, boundaries, connectivity, employment mode employer other stakeholders employers, employees, society. offer future agenda. Expanding we frame study what i-deal approach regarding they are accessed, negotiated, maintained, who serve may enhance potential lever for social change advance economic, social, health rights.