| Ok, so you've determined that you have the right skills | | | | about this? |
| and qualities to do your job effectively from home. | | | | - Would you object to your supervisor visiting your |
| You're sure that your job is well suited to | | | | home office periodically? |
| telecommuting. Now you just need your boss to agree | | | | Once you've done compiled this information, you're |
| that this is a great idea, but how? | | | | ready to start putting together your proposal. |
| The best approach is to make a proposal. A proposal | | | | Your proposal should have the following structure: |
| is a very effective way to sell the idea to your | | | | 1. Cover Sheet- This will have the date, your name and |
| employer because it can be used to highlight the | | | | title, your company name and your supervisor's name |
| benefits, and presents your request in an organized, | | | | and title. You can name your proposal something like |
| professional manner. A well-written proposal can also | | | | "Telecommute Proposal" or "Flexible Work Proposal". |
| show that you can work well on your own (a very | | | | 2. Introduction- Here you will outline what your proposal |
| important point, since you will be largely unsupervised). | | | | is about. Tell what your goal is and how it would |
| The first thing you need to think about is how it will | | | | benefit the company. Keep it short and professional. |
| benefit your employer. It's natural for any human being | | | | 3. Benefits- This is where your list of benefits goes. |
| to want to know what's in it for them. Make a list of | | | | 4. Scheduling- You'll want to start off telecommuting |
| the benefits of allowing telecommuting such as: | | | | 1-2 days a week. |
| - Can cut costs for office space, equipment, parking, | | | | 5. Implementation- Explain what is needed, i.e. |
| etc. | | | | equipment, phone line, etc. Here you will address the |
| - Can be a valuable employee recruitment tool | | | | concerns you feel your employer may have by |
| - Increases productivity by 10--30%, according to the | | | | offering solutions in the proposal. Come up with ideas |
| State of California Telecommuting Pilot Program | | | | on how your boss can monitor your performance, |
| - Additional savings of productive time are realized as | | | | how you will communicate with clients and co-worker, |
| a reduction in the use of company paid time to meet | | | | and what tasks you will be doing from home. |
| personal or family needs. Not surprisingly, | | | | 6. Trial Period- Give your proposed duration for a trial |
| telecommuters report that they are less likely to take | | | | period. 60-90 days is a good length of time to |
| a sick day in order to be home for deliveries or repairs, | | | | determine effectiveness. |
| or to take children to important appointments. | | | | 7. Review Criteria- Agree that at the end of the trial |
| - May allow work to be done when inclement weather | | | | period you and your supervisor will review your |
| might otherwise interfere | | | | performance and determine whether or not you can |
| - Enhances employee morale | | | | continue telecommuting. |
| Your employer will also be able to enjoy the benefits | | | | 8. References- You can include articles, urls and any |
| that telecommuting can have on the community: | | | | other materials that you used to do your research. |
| - Less traffic | | | | This way, your supervisor can look at them also and |
| - Less pollution | | | | get more information on the benefits of telecommuting. |
| - Increased highway safety | | | | Once you have written your proposal, be sure to spell |
| Next, think about what concerns your employer might | | | | check for errors. You may want to have someone |
| have and address them in your proposal. | | | | else read it and give you feedback. |
| - Would your employer have to invest in additional | | | | Depending on your company structure, you may want |
| equipment for a home office, or do you have the | | | | to make several copies; one for you, your supervisor, |
| appropriate tools already? | | | | their supervisor, the Human Resources Manager and |
| - How will your supervisor monitor your productivity? | | | | anyone else you feel would be appropriate. |
| - When will you telecommute? How frequently will you | | | | Remember, the more thorough and professional your |
| check in? | | | | proposal is, the further it will go in convincing your boss |
| - Would there be a trial period? | | | | that you have the skills, the motivation, and the work |
| - If you interact directly with clients, how will they feel | | | | ethic to telecommute. |