Editor’s note: This story originally appeared in penny hoarder.
The coronavirus pandemic has allowed more workers than ever to experience the benefits of working from home. Some people don’t want to go back, leading to the need to negotiate working from home.
This is an idea in many people’s minds Gallup poll Found that 90% of people who can work from home do not want to work full-time in an office. Most people agree on hybrid work arrangements.
If you are one of the many employees affected by return-to-office regulations, what steps can you take to negotiate working from home? We’ll consider your options and what steps you can take to apply to work from home while you’re looking for a new job.
Why negotiate working from home?
Before looking to work from home or asking your current employer for flexibility, ask yourself if this is what you really want. Although telecommuting has many benefits, Report a problem Connect with colleagues. It could also mean fewer mentoring opportunities for younger employees.
Still, there are plenty of reasons to work from home one or more days a week. You can Save commuting time and money And avoid typical office distractions. There are distractions at home, too, which is why some people find it more productive to work in the office.
Once you have realistic expectations about working remotely, you can look for an employer that offers the flexibility you need. Or, ask your current employer to let you work from your couch sometimes.
Whether you’re looking for a work-from-home position or want to change the structure of your current job, the art of negotiation plays an important role. Here are some expert tips for convincing your boss to allow remote working.
1. Research potential employers
The best time to negotiate to work from home is before you get a job. You can skip applying for positions that require an office, but Elev8 Mentoring and Resume Owner Lisa Dupras warns. Some of her clients have successfully negotiated to work from home when the job was labeled on-site.
Still, it’s important to research your company’s potential for remote work. Duplass recommends searching for distance policies on potential employers’ websites. Browse the company’s social media, blogs, and articles for signs of its stance on work/life balance.
“It can also be helpful to read Glassdoor reviews from former employees or talk to current employees,” Duplass says. “LinkedIn can be a great source of information to contact current employees or check job postings to see if a company can accommodate remote work.”
2.Look around
If you already have a job, you probably know whether you can work from home. Has your employer taken a stance on remote work? How does your boss feel about working from home?
Scott Lieberman, Founder touchdown moneyrecommends having a firm grasp of your employer’s policies before contacting your boss to work from home.
“Looking at any manual or talking to an HR person will clarify exactly what parameters are relevant to your job description,” Lieberman says. “Learn if others have negotiated working from home and had success.”
3. Prepare your case
The key to any successful employer negotiation is making the business case. Whether you’re interviewing for a new position or trying to change your current job, a business’s top concern is its bottom line.
Maybe your office space could be used for something else, or you have a particularly long commute that reduces the time you can devote to your work. If you’re dealing with a return to the office, your own productivity data can assist.
“Main talking points should include why you think remaining a remote worker will bring benefits to the company, such as cost savings and increased productivity,” Lieberman says. “Promptly remind them that while you were a remote worker, you were Great job. ”
4. Be willing to compromise
Working from home doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing proposition. In fact, hybrid working is more common than working entirely from home. A report comes from National Bureau of Economic Research. Accepting that a day or two in the office might be a way for both parties to get what they want.
“You may have to agree to work in the office for a period of time and work remotely,” Lieberman said. “A trial period is recommended so that the employer can see the effectiveness of the new arrangement.”
5. Know your worth
Bill Catlette, Partner Satisfied cow companion, believes the key to the success of any work-from-home negotiation is the value of the worker. Showing that you are an irreplaceable asset gives you a better chance of working from home on current and potential jobs.
“The only real leverage you have has to do with how urgently an employer wants to retain your skills at a particular point in time for an unknown period of time,” Cartwright said.
6. Be prepared to walk away
Many experts say the key to winning a negotiation is your willingness to walk away. It’s not that easy with the job you rely on to pay the bills.
But if your boss says no, you have only two options: stay and accept the job offer, or find another job.
the best thing is Work from home jobs is that they are generally open to a wide range of geographical candidates. If you start looking for a job, make sure your options aren’t limited to local businesses. Even if you work on-site a few times a year, eliminating time spent rushing to the office every day is worth it.
Working from home comes with many benefits, but not all employers allow it. Just like negotiating salary and benefits, negotiate working from home. If you can gather information and make a good case for working remotely, your boss is more likely to agree. You should also be prepared to compromise, even if it means having to go to the office a few days a week or more.
