20
Asking Your Supervisor If You Can Work from Home

STRATEGY

Most supervisors today realize that working from home doesn't mean goofing off. That doesn't mean they won't have concerns, voice objections, or resist your efforts. Supervisors might intellectually understand the importance of work/life balance or that happy employees are more productive and have lower absenteeism or turnover. But when faced with an actual request that reduces their control over a direct report they're likely to respond reflexively. The key is to make whatever concessions and compromises you must to get your supervisor to give the arrangement a try. Pitch it as a trial period. Promise higher productivity. Pledge to work longer hours. Whatever your reason for wanting to work from home, the only foolproof explanation is that you want to be more productive.

TACTICS

  • Attitude: This has nothing to do with you personally. It is all about your wanting to maintain your productivity and the quality of your work. Be determined and relentless in your drive to do your best for the organization.
  • Preparation: Have a ready response to the possible fears and concerns. Put together a memo outlining all of the positive research about working from home, print it out, and be ready to hand it to a supervisor who may want to pass the buck to HR or their own supervisor.
  • Timing: Don't ask if you're new on the job or in the role, are pursuing a promotion or transfer, or have recently received anything other than a stellar review. Pitch a short trial period, perhaps of a month. And ask for a day at home during the middle of the week—Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday—so it's clear you're not looking for an extended weekend.
    Flow diagram depicting a course of action for 20. Asking Your Supervisor If You Can Work from Home with an opening statement, situations, and responses.
    Flow diagram depicting a course of action for 20. Asking Your Supervisor If You Can Work from Home with situations and responses.
  • Behavior: Once you're in your trial period make sure to exceed expectations. Send emails prior to and after regular working hours. Respond to phone calls, emails, instant messages, and texts immediately. Be more available and productive when at home than when at the office throughout the trial period. The goal is to have your supervisor ask you to spend more time at home.

ADAPTATIONS

This script can be modified to:

  • Ask your supervisor for a more private or larger workspace.

KEY POINTS

  • Pitch this after a positive performance review and when you plan to stay in the role for at least a year.
  • Your goal is to boost your productivity and maintain your current high level of quality.
  • Ask for a trial period of midweek days at home and promise to do whatever it takes to ease fears and concerns.
  • Be prepared to provide backup and support if your supervisor wants to pass the buck rather than give their approval.