You want to work from home but your boss isn't convinced. What can you do to change their mind?

1 Know your boss's concerns

Before you approach your boss with your request to work remotely, it's important to understand their perspective and any potential objections. Common concerns bosses may have about remote work include communication and collaboration issues, performance and accountability problems, security and privacy risks, and organizational culture and team cohesion. Consider how you can address these concerns to reassure your boss that you can work from home without compromising the quality or efficiency of your work.

2 Prepare your proposal

Once you have identified your boss's concerns, you can prepare a proposal that clearly outlines the advantages of working from home for both you and the organization. Reduced commute time and costs, increased productivity and creativity, improved health and well-being, and enhanced employee satisfaction and retention are some of the benefits you can highlight. You can also provide evidence and examples of how working from home has been successful for you or others in similar roles or industries. For instance, you can mention how you have completed a project or solved a problem while working from home, or how other companies have adopted remote work policies and achieved positive results.

3 Choose the right time and tone

Timing and tone are crucial factors in any negotiation. You want to choose a time when your boss is in a good mood and not too busy or stressed. You also want to use a respectful and professional tone that shows that you are confident and sincere, but not demanding or entitled. Avoid using words like "need" or "deserve", and instead use words like "request" or "suggest". You can also express your appreciation and loyalty to your boss and the organization, and emphasize that you are willing to work with them to find a mutually beneficial solution.

4 Start with a trial period

One way to overcome your boss's resistance to working from home is to propose a trial period, rather than a permanent change. A trial period can help you demonstrate your ability and commitment to working from home, as well as give your boss a chance to evaluate the outcomes and adjust the expectations. You can suggest a reasonable duration for the trial period, such as a month or a quarter, and agree on some specific goals and metrics to measure your performance and progress. You can also propose a regular feedback and review process to keep your boss informed and involved.

5 Be flexible and adaptable

Another key skill in negotiation is flexibility and adaptability. You need to be prepared to compromise and adjust your proposal according to your boss's feedback and preferences. For example, you may need to accept a hybrid model of working from home and in the office, or limit your remote work days to certain days of the week or month. You may also need to use certain tools or platforms to communicate and collaborate with your boss and colleagues, or follow certain protocols or policies to ensure security and privacy. The more flexible and adaptable you are, the more likely you are to reach a win-win agreement with your boss.

6 Follow through and deliver

Finally, once you have secured your boss's approval to work from home, you need to follow through and deliver on your promises. You need to show your boss that you can work from home effectively and efficiently, and that you can maintain or even exceed your previous standards and results. You also need to communicate and collaborate with your boss and colleagues regularly and proactively, and keep them updated on your work and achievements. By following through and delivering, you can build trust and credibility with your boss, and increase your chances of continuing or expanding your remote work arrangement.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?