7 Tips for Convincing Your Boss to Let You Work From Home

Working a full-time job from home used to be something of a pipe dream for a lot of people. But in recent years, that has changed.

The benefits of remote work are important for some people. For example, they may find that eliminating the cost of a commute is one of their best money moves.

Here are seven tips for convincing your boss to let you work from home.

One way to show that working from home is a good idea is to demonstrate that your productivity won’t fall. You can prove that to your boss by working extra hard.

Take on new responsibilities and do more than what is required. This approach demonstrates your willingness to contribute more in exchange for increased flexibility.

In addition, you can argue that working remotely will reduce distractions and improve your efficiency.

Your boss might feel overwhelmed by the prospect of allowing you to move to working fully remote. So, propose a clear plan for your transition and help put your boss at ease.

You might even suggest taking a phased approach and gradually transitioning to full-time remote work.

Suggesting this type of plan can help ease the manager’s concerns and make them more likely to agree.

Working from home can increase your productivity. Explain that fact to your boss.

For example, if you want to get an early start at 5 a.m., it’s much easier to do that at home than in an office. Or, if you are a night owl, you might want to work at night when you are most effective.

Convince your boss that allowing you to work at a time and in a place that you prefer will help you tailor your work schedule to your individual strengths. That should boost your overall performance.

If you are sick, it’s easier to do your job from home, where you aren’t spreading germs to co-workers.

The next time you feel ill, call in sick, but offer to work from home. On that day, focus on being especially productive.

When you return to the office, share your accomplishments with your boss and explain how working from home benefited both you and the company. Provide specific examples, and then suggest a short trial period of working remotely once or twice a week to test the arrangement.

Telecommuting can be cost-effective for your employer. The company won’t have to reserve a space for you, which means that empty area can be used for other purposes.

If the company lets you work remotely and it’s a big success, the employer might let other workers do the same. Eventually, the company might save money by leasing a smaller office area.

Remote work doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing idea. If your boss isn’t on board with it, show them you can make it happen through a trial run.

This can help both sides to get a feel for how a remote-work situation might unfold. After the remote period is over, meet with your boss and ask them to express any concerns. Find ways to address those concerns.

Once you have established a routine of remote work, it should be easier to convince your boss to approve telecommuting more regularly, since you will have already shown your ability to work effectively from home.

Your boss might not be open to a remote option right now. But if you think working from home is best for you, keep trying — and stay patient.

Your manager might need time to adjust to this new idea, so try to be understanding and respectful of their process. Keep working toward your goal. The benefits of remote work are worth the effort and the time spent waiting for your manager’s approval.

Some people love being in the office and thrive there. Others work better in their own environment, and might find that eliminating expenses such as a daily commute helps their paycheck stretch a bit further.

The key thing is to figure out what works best for you, and then make it happen.