Welcome to Q & A Wednesday on Millionaire Habits, where I answer one of your questions every week for the benefit of over 20,000 people.
💡 Question: “Steve, how can I ask my boss to let me work from home without coming across like I’m just trying to avoid my coworkers (even though I sorta am)?”
There’s no question that working from home is a great option for many.
No commutes. No coworkers stopping by your cubical asking, “Hey did you get my email?” No wear and tear on your car or riding your bike in inhumane hot or cold weather to the office.
If you want to work from home but are unsure how to ask, here’s how.
How To Ask Your Boss To Work From Home
Ready to work from home? Here’s how to get it done. Open a new email and paste this general outline into a new message. Then go back in and replace each point with, you know, actual content.
👉 I’ve also provided an example below to help you combine these pieces into a simple and effective email to your boss.
Step 1: Highlight the Benefits
Begin by compiling a list of the benefits associated with remote work. These benefits can include increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, cost savings for the company, and improved work-life balance.
Step 2: Showcase Your Track Record
If you had the ability to work from home in the past, showcase your past accomplishments and highlight notable achievements during that period.
Step 3: Address Potential Concerns:
Anticipate and address your boss’s concerns about remote work before they ask, like communication, collaboration, and accountability.
Step 4: Create a Detailed Remote Work Plan
Develop a well-structured remote work plan that outlines how you will remain organized, meet deadlines, and stay connected with the team. Include a daily schedule, preferred communication tools, and demonstrate your willingness to be flexible and adaptable to meet the organization’s needs.
Step 5: Highlight the Cost Savings
Calculate the expenses of maintaining office space, utilities, and other overhead costs, and present this information to your boss. Obviously, these numbers will need to be educated guesses as most employees don’t have access to their company’s expense reports.
Step 6: Offer a Trial Period
If your boss hesitates to commit to permanent remote work, propose a trial period to assess its feasibility.
Step 7: Provide Examples and Case Studies
Support your argument with real-world examples and case studies of companies successfully transitioning to remote work models.
An Example Request
Here’s an example of what your email request could look like.
Dear [Boss’s Name],
I am writing to discuss the possibility of working remotely, at least on a part-time basis. I believe a flexible work arrangement would greatly benefit me and the company.
There are several reasons why working from home is a productive option. Firstly, by eliminating the commute time, I would have the opportunity to start my workday earlier and be more readily available for urgent tasks or early meetings. Additionally, reduced distractions in a home environment would allow me to focus on my tasks and complete them in a more efficient manner.
Furthermore, working remotely could provide a conducive atmosphere for tasks that require prolonged concentration or creative thinking. By having a quieter and more personalized workspace, I would be able to optimize my productivity and deliver high-quality results.
I am confident this arrangement would not hinder my collaboration with the team. I would be available through email, instant messaging, and video conferencing platforms to ensure constant connectivity and efficient collaboration with colleagues.
To address any concerns you may have, I propose a trial period of [specified duration], during which I will diligently maintain communication and provide regular updates on my progress. This way, we can evaluate the effectiveness of this arrangement and make any necessary adjustments as we go along.
I kindly request the opportunity to discuss this matter further at your earliest convenience. I am available for a meeting or a phone call to address any questions or concerns you may have. Thank you for considering my request, and I look forward to your guidance on how we can proceed.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Want to work from home? Give this a try and let me know how it goes!
Chat later,
– Steve
