How to Convince Your Boss to Allow Telecommuting

Do you already work outside the home at a job you like, but wish you could work at home? Does the idea of looking for a work at home job fill you with dread?

You don't have to give up your current job, if your job is conducive to telecommuting. You can work at home without changing jobs.

As you consider approaching your boss with the telecommuting proposal, put yourself in the boss's shoes. Consider your work habits. Do you already work well with little to no supervision? Are you known as a go-getter? If you are, the boss is far more likely to consider your request favorably than if he feels you need to be closely supervised or have trouble getting your work done.

Consider your job. Does your job apply well to telecommuting? If you can do your job almost entirely with a computer, fax machine, and telephone, you ought to be able to work at home.

Now, consider your boss's concerns. How will they know that you are actually doing the work? Most managers still want to have control, or at least the illusion of control. How will you be able to show that you can work at home as effectively as you can in the office? In today's world, with the Internet, email, cell phones, and instant messenger, you ought to be able to show that you can be as effective at home as at the office, if not more so. (Let's face it, the water cooler takes up a whole lot of time.)

While you're thinking money from your boss's point of view, consider pointing out the big money the company will save by allowing you to work at home.After all, telecommuters have lower turn over and fewer sick days than office workers. Minor illnesses that might keep an office worker home might not be a problem for a homeworker. Telecommuting also reduces overhead, office energy costs, real estate costs, etc.

You need to make sure you ave the proper equipment to do your job. Check out our sections on setting up your home office, and then discuss your home office arrangements with your boss. How will your home office equipment be protected from loss? Who will purchase and maintain your home office equipment?

When will your working hours be? Your boss will want to know when you will be in your home office, at least so he or she will know when they can expect to reach you there. You also need to set the guidelines so you don't get work calls late at night.

What expenses will the company pay for? What expenses can the company reasonably expect to save on by having you in a home office?

I strongly recommend adding documentation to your presentation. Find articles on the benefits of telecommuting from a reputable source, such as Gil Gordon's website. Don't make it an all-or-nothing proposition. There is much to be gained by suggesting trying out telecommuting one day a week for a month, and then reviewing the successes and failures at that point.

If you have any experiences with convincing your boss to allow you to telecommute, please email me. I would like to hear about it.

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