Starting Out
So you want to work from home? Most people who work from home either own their own business or have made arrangements with their boss to work from home full or part time. If you think you would benefit from working at home, there are a few things you should look at before making the decision to approach your employer.
Working At Home
Consider The Possibility
If you are currently working outside the home, you may be considering a work at home position. Consider the following steps prior to taking this journey and possibility may become reality.
Your first course of action is to determine if working at home fits your personality. Not everyone does well working from home as there are benefits to working outside the home with customer interaction and co-worker socialization. An at home job requires self-motivation. No matter what field you work in, oftentimes important tasks slip through the cracks when someone it not a self-starter. Decide if working at home is right for you.
Are You Well-Suited To Work At Home?
Check All The Apply
- Are You A Self-Motivator?
- Do you like to get up and start your day?
- Do you work better by yourself?
These are some questions you may want to ask yourself.
In addition to these questions, you will need to determine if you have a quiet, office setting to work in. If you plan to work full-time from home, and have small children, this may not work well for you if you are in a line of work that requires customer interaction. There is also a concern of distractions leading to mistakes.
Speaking With Your Employer
Is He Or She Receptive?
Before having your heart set on working at home, you will first want to investigate whether your employer currently, or has ever, allowed telecommuting. Consider checking with the Human Resources Department prior to approaching your employer. They may be able to tell you how likely an option this is for you. You may also research the probability of working at home by reading the company's employee manual.
Consider your employer's response to co-workers asking for vacation time or a more flexible work arrangement. Entertain the idea of easing into a work at home position, asking for a flexible work arrangements and once it proves successful, request to transition to a more permanent work at home position.
Again, consider your ability to be a self-motivator. Does your employer view your work as needing very little attention? Do you require little or no help when completing tasks? Look at your desk. Is it organized? Are you prepared for work each morning? What would your employer have to say about your time-management skills? Have you addressed everything discussed at your last performance review that could potentially derail your plans to work from home?
Being Prepared
Prepare yourself for a difficult proposition. Unless your job description allows for telecommuting, you should probably reconsider the proposition or propose a change in position that will allow for you to work from home.
Consider your value to the company. The the job you do will determine the likelihood that your employer will consider a work at home position for you. Plan to point out your contributions to the company, your boss, and your co-workers in detail, citing examples where you exceeded expectations. Utilize previous performance reviews to discuss the traits you possess that are beneficial to the company and can be used in a work at home position.
Don't Be Afraid To Market Yourself!
Are there any areas that you could improve upon? If so, reconsider the timing, discussing the possibility only after you have improved upon all areas that could be reason for denying your request.
Gather data about telecommuting positions and whether your company's competitors allow for telecommuting. If they do, add this to your proposal with as much detail as you are able to compile about the success of telecommuting.
Approaching Your Employer
Once you have considered all sides of the argument, you should put together a written proposal. Not only for your employer, but it will help you to organize your thoughts.
Approach your employer just as you would if this was your first job interview with the company. You want your employer to see all the great things about telecommuting as you do. Remember, the company isn't interested in your needs, so make your proposition about the company and it's needs.
Don't burden your employer with your desire for more time with your kids, home, or spouse. Remember, your employment depends on their need for you, not whether your needs are met in a well-balanced work-home situation. Point out the benefits of telecommuting and how it relates to productivity.
"Remember, your employment depends on their need for you, not whether your needs are met in a well-balanced work-home situation."
Discuss your job responsibilities. It is important for your employer to recognize that you are aware of each and every responsibility and that nothing will be left undone. Consider requesting to work on certain tasks at home and fulfilling other tasks one or two days a week in the office. This is possibly the most important point to make. Your employer may not be ready for a full-time work at home position, so he or she may be more likely to agree to a part-time work at home position.
If there are potential conflicts with working at home, be prepared to discuss those with your employer. If you are caring for an ill, elderly parent, your boss will have concerns about the completion of your work. Remember, do not phrase your concerns for a home situation in the sense that this is what you need, but rather discuss the facts about your home situation and how it will not impact your work. If the above or similar situation pertains to you, make arrangements with neighbors or other family members to check in and help out during business hours, relaying this arrangment to your employer in order to address his or her concerns.
Getting One Step Closer
Addressing The Concerns
It is likely your employer is unaware of your office space at home. Paint a visual image of your work space and how it will aid in the completion of your work. Express your desire to benefit the company, emphasizing the financial savings for the company.
Discuss your availability and how you can be reached while you work at home. Employers want to be assured that you are able to be reached at home and are willing to come to the office if needed. Talk to your employer about how working at home could save the company time and money, discussing the home office equipment you will provide and what you would like provided to you.
Suggest the possibility of scheduling weekly meetings or conference calls regarding current and future work. Although you may feel confident that the work will be completed correctly and on time, your employer may experience anxiety over whether your work is completed, this could be a source of concern for your employer.
Upon completion of your pitch to work at home, your employer will undoubtedly have concerns. Prepare answers ahead of time, anticipating as many questions he or she may have. Be sure to come prepared with research to back up responses to potential objections.
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Things To Consider
Another thing to consider is that if the company has financial strain and requires layoffs, your work at home position will likely be the first to be cut. This could mean being out of a job completely, or at the very least returning to a full-time in-office position covering both your position and any others that were cut to make room for your return.
Coming To An Agreement
When faced with complicated work, make yourself available to help your employer and co-workers. This will address the demands of your employer and provide continuity with your co-workers.
One of the great benefits of telecommuting is the ability to care for children or other family members. It allows a parent to be home when kids get home from school, scheduling appointments without concerns of impacting your co-workers or boss, and greater overall flexibility.
Working from home can be extremely fulfilling if it matches your personality and job description.
If working at home is not an option with your current employer, you might have luck approaching the subject in a year or so. Consider taking some work home over a weekend to show your employer what you were able to accomplish at home or discuss the possibility at your next review.
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