| Telecommuting has become a popular and cost | | | | second phone line dedicated to your home office and |
| efficient method of conducting work. Both employer | | | | may even suggest accepting some office costs in |
| and employee can benefit from telecommuting, though | | | | order to work from home. You should also consider |
| many employers still have reservations about allowing | | | | your work record; include any past performance |
| employees to work from home. In preparing a | | | | reviews, peer reviews, or even any emails or notes |
| proposal to telecommute, the following questions must | | | | you have received over the years, praising your work. |
| be addressed: | | | | An employer is much more likely to trust an employee |
| Is your position conducive to telecommuting? | | | | who has a proven history. |
| Not all types of employment allow for a person to | | | | What does the employer have to gain? |
| work from his or her home. A person who must | | | | Some environments may have very limited office |
| speak with customers face-to-face is ill-advised to | | | | space, and removing an employee to his or her home |
| attempt to do so from home. If there are facets of | | | | can be of great service when this is an issue. The |
| your position that are telecommute-friendly and you | | | | employer can see a cost benefit to telecommuting as |
| would like to attempt telecommuting part-time, you | | | | well. Working from home allows a person to work |
| should explain that thoroughly. If your position is one | | | | even when sick or when a sick child is in the home, |
| that you could carry out solely from home, you must | | | | days that would normally be used as personal days to |
| explain each aspect of your position and exactly how | | | | in-office workers. There is also the matter of retention: |
| you would go about telecommuting effectively. | | | | a happily employed, telecommuting worker is unlikely to |
| Will you be requesting to telecommute on a short-term | | | | seek work elsewhere. |
| or permanent basis? How many days each week will | | | | What does the employer have to lose? |
| you telecommute? | | | | Employers who opt out of allowing their employees to |
| In your telecommuting proposal, you should outline the | | | | telecommute do so when they are unable to see how |
| exact days and hours you wish to work from home. If | | | | telecommuting would be of benefit to them. If all of the |
| you are requesting a short-term telecommuting | | | | above questions are answered effectively and |
| opportunity, you should also explain, in detail, the length | | | | thoroughly in the proposal, the employer's mind should |
| of your proposed telecommuting venture. You should | | | | be set at ease. Your employer may also question |
| also suggest a trial period in order for your employer | | | | whether or not you are able to carry out your job |
| to assess the quality and expediency of your work in | | | | duties without constant supervision, which is why it is |
| your new environment. If you are able, you could also | | | | necessary to offer a trial period. |
| offer to work extended hours. Because you would be | | | | Once you have answered all of these questions and |
| working from home, you may be able to offer early | | | | have committed them to paper, you should also be |
| morning, late evening, or weekend hours, which could | | | | well prepared to discuss the proposal with your |
| be of great advantage to your employer. | | | | employer. You should be prepared to answer any |
| Can you prove to your boss that you are able to | | | | questions he or she may have, and you should be |
| work from home? | | | | gracious with the response you receive, whether it is |
| What type of working environment do you have in | | | | positive or negative. Not all employers are ready for |
| your house? Do you have a private area that can be | | | | telework, but even if your current employer denies |
| used as an office that is free from household | | | | your proposal, you'll have the experience of creating a |
| distractions and noise? If so, your employer should | | | | telecommute proposal that may be helpful in your next |
| know about this. You should also be willing to accept a | | | | job. |