Since the uncertainty of the events of 2020, many people have been working from home, even during relaxed periods from the pandemic. Confronted by the realization that they may need to return to the office one day, some staff may feel that they would prefer to remain working from home. However, how can you make this an attractive proposition to your boss? Here are five tips for convincing your boss to let you continue to work from home.
1. Have a Clear Idea of What You Want
If you want to convince your boss to let you work from home, you need to decide exactly why you want it.
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Analyze why you enjoy working from home, or why it makes your life easier.
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Think of how much time you need to work from home. Only part-time, or full-time.
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Does working from home at certain times mean you don't need to rely on other people to look after your children etc?
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Has something in your life changed that now makes working in an office full-time more difficult?
If you can give a clear idea of what you need, you are more likely to convince your boss to be more flexible.
2. Address Your Managers Concerns
Regardless of why you want to work from home, your manager will have concerns about your ability to still be productive.
If you are looking to move away from the area, your manager might think this means you will eventually leave the company.
How can you address these fears so that your manager has no concerns about letting you work from home?
Some companies may have used flexible working during the pandemic, but be unsure if this can be used long-term. By giving them good reasons for working from home, you may also help others.
3. Show Them Evidence of Your Performance
Sometimes, managers need to see evidence that things are working before they make their decision. You need to be prepared for this and have facts and figures to show them.
You don't need to go too in depth, just a table or spreadsheet showing how your performance was compared to when you were in the office.
Another angle could be how much money they will save. If they are paying for your travel, then you can argue that it will save them at least that much per year.
4. Show Them Ways to Solve Remote Working Problems
If your company has had issues implementing remote working, then managers might be reluctant to allow people to remain at home.
Show them ways that things could improve, be it with new software or better communication. This may convince them that it is worth exploring further.
5. Have a Transition Plan Prepared
Your employer may have concerns about how this new way of working will affect others, such as those in the office.
Create a transition plan that details all the things you need and can move across to remote working, along with solutions to common issues.
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How will you ensure adequate communication with the team?
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What software will you need to work remotely full-time?
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How will you interact with your colleagues in meetings?
A plan such as this will help to answer many of the questions your employer will have.
Conclusion
These are the five tips for convincing your boss to let you continue to work from home. Remote working can bring many opportunities and advantages. You need to show your employers these advantages so they can come on board.
