(How to get a few days working at home)

A few years back I came across this quote that really blew my mind—“In business, you don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate.” Clearly I was angered by this suggestion. I remember thinking--"But you get what you work for." Although I still hold that to be true—after a few years in the "real world"—it is clear that there is just as much truth to the idea that unless you ask for something in business you won’t get it. We all remember this lesson back in Economics class—unless there is a “demand” for something, it won’t be "supplied."

That brings us to your three-day-work week conversation, or maybe more accurately, your “telecommuting request.” We work for internet companies. The internet at your office is the same strength and speed as the one on your couch (or at least  it should be ), so many of us are unclear as to why we have to be in an office for 40 hours a week, and put up with distractions, questions, social hours, coffee breaks, fire drills, etc, etc, etc. Well, you don’t. Its just a lot of people don’t know how to go about asking their boss if a “work-from-home” situation is feasible. Well, here are a few things to keep in mind when pursuing a work from home situation...

Every boss is different, but chances are they all have some things in common:

1. They want to make the most money possible.
2. They do not want you to quit.
3. They have a boss that they answer to.

Keep these in mind when considering the "Can I work from home a few days out of the week" conversation. Also only attempt this discussion when your boss is in a good mood. Try to catch them earlier in the day when they are ready to make decisions and are at full energy. You do not want to try and slip this conversation in at 5:58 pm, and you don’t want to piggyback it onto a more important meeting. Send a meeting request for an a.m. hour and make it clear you have put some time into preparing your case. Your boss will respect you for it.

So first off address the “money making” point and clarify that you feel you can be your most productive self from home. Explain the noise level issues, the disruptions, the questions, the social hours that are going on around you, and clearly establish that working from home will allow you to focus, be more efficient, and produce better work. With that said, quickly add you are not looking to work from home all five days, but maybe suggest the two days a week that your team does not have weekly meetings, or suggest the days that people tend to be more unruly in the office. Make it clear you have thought this out and it has been on your mind for quite some time. This is the time to drop all of the technical planning you have done—the telephone set up, the computer set-up, the face that you will be accessible at all times, etc. Do your research and make it work for you!

Ok onto the point—your boss does not want you to quit. This is where you drop your more personal comments & appreciation. Be sure to say “I really see the best situation for the way I work to be this (fill in blank)”, and “I really appreciate your listening to me and meeting me half way on this.” It’s important your boss feels your gratitude if they were to approve this, and it’s important that they see they are troubleshooting an issue and satisfying an employee. It validates their job, and keeps you happy. A win-win.

Lastly, remember your boss has a boss. Always offer to sit down again and explore the dialogue in more depth and always say something like “I know this is unorthodox so if you need me to state my case to (fill in your boss’s boss), I am more than willing to do that.” It shows you aren’t trying to make your boss’s life more difficult. You are merely trying to facilitate the best work case situation for maximum return.

These are just a few ways to get this dialogue started. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you need to ask. Your boss can not read your mind, even if you roll your eyes, take deep breaths, and discuss it with co-workers—your requests fall on deaf ears. Be up front, offer to make it easier, and explain how this will benefit the company. Hopefully this approach will work for you on some level, whether it is a day from home, or three days from home, or an entire shift toward a telecommuting situation. It’s all about approaching your boss with a well-thought out request and an honest approach.

If you have any other suggestions for our readers on what has worked for you or colleagues in the past, please feel free to leave them below! The more advice the better!