If you’re working outside of the home and wish to telecommute, you may not have to quit your job to do so. If you’re a valued employee, you might be able to convince your employer to allow you to telecommute. The benefits of this over finding a different work at home job are:
- You already know the work
- You have job security
- Your boss values your work
- Regular pay and benefits
- You know the company
So how do you convince The Powers That Be to let you work from home? You’ll need to make an impressive presentation. The last thing you want is for your boss to think you’ll be spending your mornings sipping lattes or while watching “The View.” If you’re a good employee with an impressive track record, that will bode well in your favor. If you have a reputation for spending a lot of time around the water cooler, or call out every Monday, you might want to work on those things before approaching your boss.
Present a valid argument, here are a few to consider:
- Working at home increases productivity. You’ll be able to focus without the distractions of other co-workers, telephone calls, and meetings. Conversely, telecommuters work, on average, two hours more each day than typical nine-to-fivers. Moreover, telecommuters are less likely to call out sick and arrive late.
- You’re less likely to seek out other employment if you’re working at home.
- Telecommuters save on overhead costs, especially office supplies.
Be sure to focus on how telecommuting can benefit your employer. You know how it can benefit you, and that’s not your employer’s concern. You want him to feel you’ll be more of an asset to your organization if you telecommute, than if you have to leave work at 5:00 every day to make dinner for your family. You might want to suggest starting out slow, perhaps working home one or two days a week to see if it works out.
Many employers are open to the idea of allowing employees to telecommute, they’re just worried about a lack of productivity. Convince those in charge your work ethic will only get better, and you’ll soon be working in your bunny slippers!
Do you have any suggestions for approaching a company whose main reservation regarding allowing an employee to work from home is a fear of being sued for workers compensation if the employee slips on a dropped egg in their home kitchen during business hours?
I know it sounds a little out there, but I know a company with a strong enough suit phobia to warrant the question. I was lucky enough to be able to strike out on my own anyway, but I know there are others who aren't so fortunate.
Posted by: Amanda | June 12, 2007 9:01 PM | Permalink to Comment