Telecommuting
Lesson 2: Becoming a Telecommuter
Approaching the boss
Suppose you already have a good job that you love -- all you want is to take that job home. Well, it's certainly easier said than done. If no one in your office has ever telecommuted, chances are your boss will be less-than-receptive to the idea at first. That's why the single most important thing to do BEFORE approaching the boss with your telecommuting proposal is to do your homework.
First, decide whether your job would make a good fit for telecommuting. Some things to consider: Do you spend most of the day in front of a computer or on the phone? Does your job require personal interaction with customers?
Pages 24 and 25 in Telecommute! talk about the best and worst jobs for telecommuters. Some of the best jobs include:
On the other hand, some of the worst are:
If your job is conducive to telecommuting, the next thing you should do is think of specific ways your company will benefit if you work from home. For instance, your productivity may go up if you're more comfortable and relaxed in your own home. You will be more likely to keep your job for a while as well. Your company may save money on office equipment if you're not in the office. Try to come up with specifics if possible, such as what percentage your productivity will increase if you work from home.
Next, you'll want to anticipate your boss' reaction. If you expect him/her to be receptive to the idea, you won't need to plan as rigorously. If he/she will hate the idea from the start, you'll need to be prepared for the worst. Read Chapter 4 in Telecommute and answer the questions in the section called "Building Your Case," "Anticipating Your Company's Response" and "Your Proposal." Writing the answers to these questions will give you most of the background you'll need to approach your boss with the idea.
The next section will talk about the important things to keep in mind when approaching and negotiating with the boss about telecommuting. Also check out June Langhoff's Telecommuting Resource Center and this CNN article for more tips.
How do you think your boss would react to your telecommuting proposal?
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