Working remotely has become a popular trend in the modern workplace. The ability to work outside of a traditional office environment offers flexibility and the opportunity to work in a comfortable environment, which in turn can boost productivity. However, not all employers are open to the idea of remote work, and approaching your boss to request this arrangement can be challenging. Here are some tips on how to approach your boss and convince them to let you work remotely.
Understand Your Employer’s Policies on Remote Work
Before you approach your boss about remote work, it is important to know your employer’s policies on the matter. Check the company handbook, ask your HR representative or a co-worker who already works remotely what the company’s stance is. Knowing this will help you structure a convincing argument and increase your chances of getting approval. If your employer does not have a policy on remote work, your request can give them a chance to start one.
Create a Specific Plan
You must create a specific plan that is tailored to your employer’s needs. Outline the reasons why you need to work remotely and how it can benefit your employer. For instance, if you have a long commute to work, you can highlight that working remotely eliminates this commute time and enables you to start work earlier. Also, consider how working remotely enhances productivity, decreases overhead costs or provides a competitive edge.
Be Prepared for Your Meeting
Make sure you are well-prepared for your meeting with your boss. Have all the necessary data and research that supports the benefits of remote work ready, including relevant industry statistics or articles, study data, and professional organizations’ positions on remote work. Also, be ready to address potential concerns your employer may have, such as reduced communication simply by providing potential solutions.
Highlight Solutions to Address Your Employer’s Concerns
Remote work can be perceived as a lack of physical interaction and communication with your team, which can result in unseen efficiencies or loss of collaboration within the organization, causing team morale to decrease. Show your employer that you have taken these into consideration, and offer potential solutions. Highlight how digital communication tools, frequent check-ins and video conferencing can keep you connected with your team. Share ideas like an information board or weekly update email with co-workers as communications issues that come often with remote work.
Emphasize Why Working Remotely Helps You Achieve Your Goals
Lastly, demonstrate why remote work is the best solution for you. Reframe the meeting to help your boss understand it is about empowering you in productive ways. For instance, if you are a single parent and combining work with childcare is proving challenging, working remotely can enable you to balance the two. Explain why remote work can help you meet your objectives and provide concrete examples.
Ask for a Trial Period
If your boss is hesitant about remote work, you can offer a trial period. This can help them test the waters and see the expected results of remote work independently. Use that opportunity to showcase your productivity, concentrate on your work, and how you communicate with your team. Ensure you keep track of all achievements, challenges, and any improvements you can provide real data on how the arrangement is working.
Provide a Detailed Work Schedule
Before you leave the office, make sure you establish specific working hours to maintain a work-life balance. This excel file can then be sent to your boss or colleague for reference. Make sure you stick to your work schedule and stay accessible during your established work hours through phone, chat, and email in case your boss or colleague has questions or concerns.
Address Working Environment and Equipment
If you are setting up home, ensure you provide an appropriate structure that limits as many distractions as possible. If extra devices urgently needed, suggest splitting the cost with the company. Suggest that the company provide remote access in case an issue arises, and a reliable internet connection with sufficient bandwidth is ensured.
Maintain Regular Communications
Working remotely must not cause a disturbance to the team communication, and it is necessary to find a balance between that and completing tasks. Check-in with your boss regularly and maintain open communications with your colleagues, much in the way that you would in the office. Suggest scheduling video meetings or team chats regularly to keep everyone on the same page and maintain a healthy team culture, team morale is essential when transitioning to remote work.
Highlight Cost Savings
If your employer is hesitant about remote work because they are concerned about losing control over employees or decreased productivity, you can point out the potential cost savings. Remote work can reduce overhead costs like rent, utilities, and office supplies. These savings could be allocated to technology improvements or incentive programs that keep the team motivated.
Explain How It Benefits the Environment
Not only does remote work benefit employees and businesses, but it also benefits the environment by reducing carbon emissions associated with commuting. Highlight how remote work can contribute to the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility goals and showcase concern for the environment, which is becoming an essential matter for people worldwide.
Leverage Industry Trends
Remote work is becoming increasingly popular across a host of industries, which means that your employer may be more open to the idea than you think. Provide your boss with insights into industry trends and how they can benefit from adopting similar models. Many companies have been successful with remote teams, and you can leverage these stories to show your employer’s potential benefits.
- Show Your Commitment
If your boss approves your request to work remotely, one way to offset their concern is to demonstrate how committed you are to the company’s success. Setting clear work goals, maintaining open communication, and staying productive are great ways to demonstrate your reliability, accountability, and dedication.
Provide Examples of Successful Remote Work
Suppose your employer is still unsure if remote work can be productive and efficient. In that case, you can provide them with examples of successful remote teams and businesses that have embraced remote work. Highlight the benefits these companies have seen in terms of productivity and cost savings.
Offer Flexibility
It’s important to offer flexibility when requesting remote work. If your boss is hesitant about remote work, you can request a mix of remote and in-office work. This flexibility allows your boss to see the benefits of remote work while also maintaining some control and managing their workload.
Frame It as a Win-Win Situation
When you approach your boss to request remote work, make sure you frame it as a win-win situation. Explain how remote work can benefit both you and the company. Show how it can result in increased productivity, better work-life balance, and reduced overhead costs. By presenting remote work as a mutually beneficial arrangement, your boss may be more open to the idea.
Be Patient
If your boss is hesitant about remote work, be patient. It may take some time to convince them. It’s important to remember that this is a big change for your employer, one that might require a lot of consideration and communication. Be respectful of their decision, but don’t give up on your remote work request. You may need to explain the benefits multiple times before they agree.
Prepare to Negotiate
Be prepared to negotiate when requesting remote work. Your boss may have concerns or requirements that need to be addressed before approving your request. Be open to discussing these issues and searching for a resolution that works for both of you. For instance, you may need to work on specific projects in-office or flexible hours to accommodate remote clients’ hours, and this can be established in your plan.
Final Thoughts
In today’s modern work environment where technology has enabled people to work from anywhere, remote work is no longer an exception. Many organizations have begun to embrace this trend to gain the benefits it offers, including cost savings, increased productivity, and better employee morale.
When approaching your boss to request remote work, it’s essential to present a well-prepared argument. Consider the reasons why you need remote work, craft a specific plan, address concerns, and highlight the benefits of remote work for both yourself and the company.
Be patient and prepared to negotiate and offer a trial period to demonstrate its benefits. Remember, remote work is an inclusive approach for everyone involved. Don’t forget to keep communication open with your employer and colleagues to ensure productivity remains efficient and consistent.
Finally, if you do get the chance to work from home, ensure you maintain a good work-life balance, track your productivity, keep communication open, and deliver results, effectively proving your point that remote work can be beneficial for everyone – the business, you, and the team.