Has anyone ever asked their employer if they could work from home?

Question

I want to work from home so I can stay with my kids. Some people in my office work from home occasionally. The technology is available for my company to give me remote access and it would be possible for me to do everything I do at the office at home. I may have to come in once and a while to drop off or pick up. Can you ask without them being upset and firing you? If I could ask in a way without them firing me it might be worth it because they might say yes. If they don't say yes though they may think I will try to quit soon so they will just fire me. They like me here and think highly of my ability and I think they will want me to stay around for a while. Also I have to use up my sick and vacation time often because of my children getting sick. Could that be a selling point to work from home for this company?

Answer 1

What I did was write up a proposal and presented it to them. I found out the pro's for them (and yes, time off for kids out of school is one) as well as a few cons. I suggested that we gradually adjusted to working from home starting with 1 day a week and moving up to full time. I outlined recommended goals and suggested that if I was unable to meet the goals, I understood that the work from home would change back to work from the office.



In the proposal I included my home equipment and suggested I bring it in so the IT guys could check it out and prep. I agreed to shoulder the cost of all of my equipment including repairs. This is important since your computer will be used for other than work.



Also, make sure you state how you will handle meetings. How much notice do you need to get into the office? What will you do with your children?



Working with the kids up is NOT easy. It is very difficult to meet your quota's/goals with them wanting your attention. I am not sure what you do, but think ahead of time how you will respond if you are on a business call and your child wants your attention NOW and starts yelling or grabbing at your clothes. I had to get up early to get work done, and stay up late when I was on a project that required reading and focus. Will you be able to do that? Make sure you have a dedicated office, not a dining table that you spread out on in the morning and clean up at night. Remember, it is still a job.



By having a written proposal with timelines and guidelines (that you need to be flexible with), they will understand that this is not a momentary thing and that you have thought of how the company can and will be impacted. You have done what you can to min. the "pain" felt by the company. They may say no, but the may say yes.



Sorry this is so long. If you have any q's feel free to email me.

Answer 2

If the opportunity is there go for it. But put some planning into ahead of time. Show them you've thought it through. Put together a mini proposal of what you're asking for with options for working from home full-time or even part-time. They might be more open to your idea if you've given them some options. Make sure you show how it benefits THEM. Most companies are concerned about the bottom line (sadly) and not interested in how it affects your family life (again, sad but a reality)!

Do some research and give some statistics if you can find them on employee productivity as it relates to working from home as well.

Good luck - but a word of caution - you'll still have to work. It's much harder to work at home with kids running around than it is to go to a dedicated office space and concentrate solely on your job. Think about your temperament too and then make the decision!

Answer 3

First, figure out what makes you very useful to your company. Next, get really clear why you need to work from home. Lastly, be able to pre-answer the common concerns employers have:



1) How do I know you're really working?

2) How will you keep up your group interactions?

3) How will I be able to get a hold of you?

4) How will I know you're being more productive?

5) Who will pay for the additional phone, computer, incidentals?

6) Is this temporary, or a lifestyle change?



Find out their concerns, address them, and you have a good chance on making it work ... for both of you.

Answer 4

I think this feeling is catching up of late. In United Arab Emirates, in one of the emirates( Um Al Qawin), they passed a law allowing the women to work from home. so every woman is working from home and occasionally go to their respective office.

so put up a proposal. If they accept it is OK .

Answer 5

Most companes will be good about it if you do not manage other people beacuse then you would have to be there to do that. It could be as easy as just mabey working from work onnce a week or once every two weeks.

Answer 6

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