In March 2020, we wouldn’t have thought that a simple 2-week lockdown would be extended for up to 2 years! Yes, the pandemic struck, and most operations are now done remotely.
But as restrictions are lifted in our country. Most offices are slowly calling their team back to the headquarters. When you experience the advantages of remote working, it’s hard to let go. Why go back when you can be productive at home or anywhere for that matter?
Not All Companies Will Allow Remote Work
Companies also reaped the benefits with some cost reductions and productivity. A hybrid work setup will not be an issue for them. After all, why would you stop something that works?
But not all companies will allow remote work. Some hold economic zone incentives. Or some are just too traditional and treated remote working as a band-aid solution. What will you do to convince your boss?
Here are 7 tips to ask for permanent work-from-home from your boss, and what to do if you can’t.
Know Why You Want to Work Remotely
The first step is to know what you want! Why do you want to work remotely?
Is it for more time with your family? Is it for more savings? Or maybe, you want to relocate to the province? Or a notch higher, maybe become a digital nomad?
Know your reasons. With this, you can gauge what you can negotiate with what you can’t.
For example, if you want more time with your family, and your boss wants a compromise between a few days in an office, and some in your home, it can be a viable middle ground. But if you want to relocate to a province, that might not be feasible.
So it’s best to have solid ground first before you negotiate.
List All Your Achievements
Next is to list all your achievements. Before the pandemic, we only know case studies about the effects of remote working. And these are stellar talking points to make your case.
But on top of that, you are your own case study! With your 2 year work from home stint, you have first-hand experience of what it’s like to be productive at home. With this, list all your achievements!
Quantify how productive you become. It may be in terms of sales, tasks finished, efficiency, and more. List it all down so you have a clear sense of what you can offer to the company if you continue working from home.
Make it All About Them
You know what you want from this setup. But let’s face it. Companies don’t really care about what you want. The main focus is on what can increase their bottom line. And that’s just fair because, after all, they are businesses.
So how do you use this to your advantage? Think about things that will benefit the company if you work from home.
It can be for lower costs like lesser utility consumption. Or you can show a reduced carbon footprint if your company deemed that as important. You can even boast about the increase in your productivity.
The bottom line is that you should have their needs in mind. And use it to convince them of your remote working setup.
Highlight How Minimal the Difference is From Working from the Office
Another aspect you should point out is convenience — convenience for your company. Imagine if everyone in your team had to highly adjust their routine just to adhere to your demands, your chances will be really low.
So show them that there will be minimal changes when you work from home. Relay to them that it’s really similar to working in the office, especially if you do most of your tasks online.
As long as it’s just minor changes, you will surely have a greater chance of approval.
Pitch Your Ideas
Now, it’s time to pitch your ideas. Ask for a meeting and with the information you have, pitch your work from home request. Always remember to be confident and know what you want.
Don’t be afraid and let the data from the past remote working years speak for themselves.
Expect a Compromise
Most things will not always pan out the way you wanted them to be. So expect to show a compromise. Sometimes, a hybrid work-from-home setup will be introduced. Maybe a pay cut will be given.
So remember why you want to work from home permanently. What is important for you? And accept counteroffers based on that goal.
Consider Getting a Remote Job Elsewhere
If you really want to work from home but your boss doesn’t seem to budge, you have an option to change your course. There are great job opportunities waiting for you! Some you can even start part-time.
Unlike before, you now have more choices for a remote working career! Cheers!
