My clock is similar. I'm usually awake by about 4:30 or 5 am and ready to get going. I work out, do laundry and cleaning first thing, and then head out to work. I work from about 7 am to 3 pm most days...stay later when the workload is heavy, leave a bit early when it's lighter. I have had this schedule for years, and none of my bosses have ever complained about it.
Here's how I approached changing my schedule:
- I made sure that I was available during core hours for meetings, collaboration, and other activities for which I need "face time" with my co-workers.
- If someone needs something from me and the request comes in late in the day, I make sure that I get it to them before their start time the next day. People don't seem to resent my leaving at 3 or 3:30 when they see e-mail messages from me timestamped 5:30 or 6:00 am.
- If I have a deadline, I will work whatever overtime I need to in order to meet it. Including working very late and working weekends if I have to, neither of which is in my job description.
- This is the biggest one: I never asked my boss for permission. I just changed my schedule and taught people what to expect from me.
People have adapted and know when to find me at my desk, when to phone me or e-mail me, and when they will likely hear back from me. My boss is pleased with my productivity and responsiveness, so he just doesn't worry about what time I show up or what time I leave. Bosses can be reluctant to try something new and different, especially if it's never been done before in the company. If it fails, their department looks bad to senior management. If it works, no one notices. So there's a lot of risk and little reward for them to take the chance. Now, if you just do it and prove that it works, then you can make a case to your boss that your productivity has improved, absenteeism has gone down or whatever will best sell it for you.
Now, you both know the corporate cultures of your company, and you'll have a better sense of what will and will not fly in your workplaces. However, I've always found that if my work is good, especially if it makes the bosses look good, then they are pretty flexible about everything else.