(Posted 451 days ago)

Do's and Don'ts:

Do discuss how working from home will benefit the company (i.e. more hours, less distractions, more productivity).

Do convince the boss you'll get as much done at home as you would at the office.

Don't assume your company will automatically purchase you all new technology to support this idea before they see that it can really work.

Don't flaunt the fact you work from home to your co-workers.

Do over-communicate with the boss, clients, and others.

Do think in terms of the first few months as a trial period.

Say This:

"Thank you for meeting with me. I have prepared an overview of the reasons I believe it would be more beneficial to the company if I worked from home, at least part-time, until we are both comfortable with the arrangement. For example, I have determined that the 1-1/2 hours I spend commuting each day could actually be time I could complete additional work from my home office each day. Secondly, I have developed a daily plan to keep in constant communication with you, clients, and co-workers. Also, I have determined that my technology tools at home will coincide closely to what I have at the office, with the only investment being a $500 scanner. Finally, there is probably no way to measure this, but I believe that I will be more productive without the continuous stream of co-worker interruptions that seem to plague all of us at the office. Do you want to consider my proposal and reconvene later this week?"