Mastering the Art of Requesting Remote Work

Working remotely comes with many pros and cons. If the pros outweigh the cons for you, requesting remote work from your employer should be your next step.

But, how do you ask your boss to work remotely permanently? It’s good to know that many employers are already debating the idea. Many are considering adopting either a fully remote system or, at least, a hybrid model for their businesses.

Allowing employees to work remotely has its pros and cons for employers as well. There are many benefits for the employer. There are lower overhead costs for a remote workforce, easier communication, and better productivity. Your employer may be more open to the idea of allowing you a permanent work-from-home option than you think.

You should take a couple of steps if you want to work remotely permanently. Let’s cover what you should consider, and how to approach your boss on this topic.

Check if you can work remotely

Millions of workers globally are showing that working from home is possible, so more workplaces are starting to offer remote work. However, some companies are strongly against this arrangement.

Its leaders might think it’s difficult for teams to be innovative and collaborative when working remotely. Others noticed or heard about drops in productivity with some other remote workers.

It might be tricky to persuade such leaders, but it’s not impossible. You should prepare for the meeting carefully, and find relevant data that will work for your case.

Research the landscape in your industry and organization

Before approaching your employer, gather data about others in your field to support your argument. You should understand how your industry feels about remote work.

If possible, check the company’s competition and find out if they offer similar work arrangements. Your employer may be persuaded to provide similar privileges to keep top talent working for them.

Try to gather this information before approaching your employer so they know you put effort into coming to this decision. You should also consider your reasons for moving to remote work permanently. But, you should try to find methods to emphasize these as benefits for your employer.

When you approach your boss on the topic, start the proposal by outlining and emphasizing the benefits to your organization. You want to assure your employer the new arrangement benefits everyone, not just you.

How to present your work-from-home arrangement as a benefit?

Career specialists propose a set of questions you should answer to gather concrete benefits you can then explain to your employer. Here are the questions and short explanations:

1. How working from home can help you do your job better?

For example, you may say that you can start your work earlier and meet better hours by shortening your commute.

2. Would you be more productive, and why?

If you are a person who keeps thinking of tasks outside of the office while in the office, working from home can help you organize yourself better.

3. Will you be able to focus better when working from home?

Both office work and working from home have their set of distractions. However, if you work from home alone, you may be more productive as you don’t have to spend time in chit-chat.

4. Will you be able to work hours that would bring better results to the company?

If your office has a mandatory 9-5, but you consider yourself to be most productive at night, then let your employer know this. If you are working from home, you can split working hours between meetings in the morning and deep work in the evening to stay on top of your work better.

You will likely have to educate your employer on the benefits of working remotely for companies. You’ll also have to explain how remote work has proven successful for other companies in your industry. Make sure to showcase examples of increased productivity, cost savings, and employee satisfaction.

Propose a communication plan

Establishing effective communication channels with your employer upfront is mandatory. By discussing these, you can ease some of the insecurity your employer feels about you working remotely. They need to know you will be available during working hours.

Discuss with your employer the integration of common collaboration tools. Platforms such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Asana offer features that allow easy remote teamwork. Explain to your employer the benefits of these for transparency and tracking progress. Emphasize your willingness to help your employer adopt these within the organization.

Lastly, provide alternative means of communication. You may offer your phone number or secondary email address for emergencies outside regular working hours. It's not a healthy suggestion for your work-life balance. But, it may help provide your employer with peace of mind and increase your chances of getting approved for remote work.

Create a clear and specific remote work plan

it's important to have a clear plan that you can share with your team and managers. Here's what you need to include:

1. Your Working Hours and Schedule:

Start by setting your working hours and schedule. This means deciding when you'll start and finish work each day. You should also plan out any breaks you'll take. Let your team and managers know when they can expect you to be available and when you'll be taking breaks.

2. How You Plan to Share Your Output:

Next, think about how you'll share your work with your team and managers. You can use tools like email, Slack, or Google Drive to share documents and updates. Make sure to communicate regularly with your team about what you're working on and when they can expect to see results.

3. Equipment Needs and Security:

Finally, consider what equipment you'll need to work remotely. This might include a computer, internet connection, and any software or tools specific to your job. Make sure you have everything you need to do your work effectively and securely. If you have any security concerns, talk to your IT department or manager to ensure your setup is safe.

Additional tips on how to ask your employer for remote work

You should approach your boss with hard data and be well-prepared to present the benefits of remote work. But, here are some tips that can help you ensure your request will be granted.

Ask when the time is right

If you want to increase your chances of getting approved for remote work, you should time your request carefully. Asking your employer to work remotely in times of insecurity for the company, or during a big and important project, might not be a good idea.

You are more likely to get approved if your boss trusts you and values you as an employee. You can emphasize this by asking them to work remotely after you complete an important project.

Depending on how strict your boss is on keeping everyone in the office, you may have to lay the groundwork upfront before you ask. Establish a system that tracks your progress and achievements. You may decide to wait for times when you notice your boss understands the value of your contributions and is particularly happy with your work.

Try to find proper channels for communicating your contributions and successes to your employer. This way, your employer will have confidence in your self-assessment and productivity. It may make your boss more open to the idea of approving remote work.

Schedule a meeting with your employer

If your employer prefers the current status quo, asking for remote work should be a longer conversation. You need time to reassure them that it will be beneficial for both parties and to agree on steps for moving forward.

This is why it is recommended that you schedule a meeting with your boss rather than asking them via email. Don’t spring this in passing, or surprise your employer in an irrelevant meeting. By catching them off guard, you may risk immediate rejection.

Instead, it is better to start by asking for a meeting to discuss how you do your job and how you would like to continue in the future.

Be prepared to answer questions and objections

Your employer will likely have questions or objections. You should be well-prepared to answer them.

Employers will ask questions about your availability, working hours, and communication methods. These are the biggest differences between in-house and remote work. Your employer might be used to certain working hours, popping in for a quick brief, or to offer help.

It’s important to have a proposal on how and when you plan to work. You want to give them a clear outline of how you plan to complete your tasks remotely.

It’s also important that they can keep track of your progress. You may suggest daily or weekly meetings, and use project management software. By agreeing to this, they will feel reassured that they can check on your progress whenever they want to.

Lastly, your employer might ask for methods to contact you. You should agree together on your working hours and preferred methods of communication. You can recommend popular online video conferencing tools to your employer.

FAQ

What is a good reason to work from home?

A good reason to work from home is when you're feeling unwell but still able to do your job. If you have a mild cold, headache, or other minor illness that doesn't require a visit to the doctor, it's often better to stay home to rest. Make sure to communicate with your boss and team, letting them know you're not feeling well but are still able to work from home. This shows responsibility and consideration for both your health and your colleagues

How do you request to work from home due to personal reasons?

Writing a request to work from home due to personal reasons requires a tactful approach. Outline how you intend to maintain productivity and assure your employer of your commitment. You may or may not discuss the reasons behind your request. Whether you should disclose them depends on your relationship with your employer.

Why don't employers want you to work from home?

Without direct supervision, some employers fear that employees may become less accountable. There could be concerns about communication and collaboration. There may be a cultural bias against remote work. Lastly, some employers prefer traditional office-based environments because they're more familiar with them.