Working from home benefits your bank account and the environment, reducing both gas consumption and pollution. Your home is likely to offer a more relaxing work environment than the office, which may increase your productivity and satisfaction with the job. Convincing your boss to go for a work-at-home arrangement requires a well thought-out proposal with facts to back up your request. An arrangement that is mutually beneficial is more likely to be approved by your boss.
Step 1
Establish yourself as a hardworking, focused employee who starts and completes projects without a lot of direction. Show your boss that you are trustworthy and able to manage your time, which is essential when working from home.
Step 2
Assess your computer, phone line and Internet connection at home to ensure that they will work reliably. Consider the types of software programs you might need to install and the memory available in your computer's hard drive.
Step 3
Write a list of reasons working from home would be beneficial for your employer. This could include freeing up space if the company is outgrowing office space or more available work time if you have a long commute.
Step 4
Identify time that you would come to the office for face-to-face meetings and presentations. This allows you to stay connected to the office and shows your boss that you would still be part of the team.
Step 5
Devise a plan for daily communication and availability to your coworkers. This might include instant messaging, email that you check frequently and a dedicated phone line for calls from the office.
Step 6
Write a proposal for your boss or human-resources department that outlines all of the telecommuting arrangement details. The proposal lets your boss know you took time to think through your request. Follow up by addressing any concerns your boss expresses after reading the proposal.
Step 7
Ask for a trial period of working at home. Start with a few weeks so both you and your boss can determine if the arrangement will work long-term.
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