Working from home, commonly defined as telecommuting, appeals to most of us. The benefits that immediately come to mind are not having to commute and having a more flexible work schedule which will hopefully result in achieving that ultimate of all utopias; a balanced life between your work and your personal life.
The question that begs answering is why has telecommuting not become the norm today as was predicted a few decades back? Our roadways are clogged more than ever with rush hour traffic. Commuting times have actually increased, while strong demand for office space in major urban areas has created low vacancy and rising rents.
Before you answer one of the many spam's we have all received promising us financial freedom for working 10 hours a week (Have you ever met a person who has participated in one of these online opportunities and made enough money to quit their job?), become another consultant or try your hand at assembling jewelry at home let me suggest something: Propose to your current employer that you work from home. Yes, it can be that simple. While there is no guarantee that your boss will accept your proposal you may be surprised at how well it is received and will ask yourself, "Why had I not done this before now?"
Writing a well though out proposal, which makes your case of why you should be telecommuting, is not as difficult as you probably are imagining. Just keep in mind the one fundamental rule when writing any proposal; focus on the benefits for the recipient of the proposal, which in this case is your company and your boss. Your boss already knows how telecommuting will benefit you. They too would probably like to be telecommuting. Remember it is all about what telecommuting can do for your employer, not what telecommuting can do for you.
Before you begin writing you need to ask yourself two questions. The first being, is your job engineered so you can telecommute? Obviously if you manage a retail store telecommuting is not an option for you. However, if you are a graphics designer you probably can make a good case for telecommuting. The second question: Is telecommuting for you? While the benefits of telecommuting are obvious the downside are not. Ask yourself, honestly, if you are able to work completely unsupervised and in isolation? When you work from home you cannot just get up from your desk and walk down the hallway to a co-worker's office to brainstorm, or ask input on a project. Sure there is always the telephone, but it is not the same. Are you ready to be out of "the loop"? The office gossip and rumor mill can provide direction for your career within the company.
The biggest reason employees hesitate to telecommute is the fear of being out of sight out of mind. They will be passed over for promotions. This will vary from company to company depending on the corporate culture. A good boss values results over face time. On the other hand you should not ignore how the social aspects of work can help further your career. There is a great article here on EzineArticles.com, by Patti Ghezzi titled, The Truth About Telecommuting you should read to get the other side of the telecommuting story.
If you decide telecommuting is for you then what do you write to convince your boss to allow you to telecommute? Explain the following in no more than 5 pages:
1. The benefits of telecommuting to the company. Do not state the obvious such as saving of electricity, coffee, toilet paper, office space, etc... Think outside the box and look directly at your company. Is your company's parking lot at its limit? Did a snow storm last winter prevent numerous employees from showing up at the office? What about disaster recovery? Telecommuting offers to minimize business disruption and maintain services during disasters and emergencies. Use statistics and case studies. Numerous studies support the notion that telecommuting workers are more productive and have higher morale and less absenteeism and employee turnover. For more ideas on how telecommuting can benefit your employer Google "telecommuting productivity" and start researching. You should also visit the websites of The American Telecommuting Association (www.yourata.com) and The Canadian Telework Association (www.ivc.ca).
2. How you plan to report / measure your productivity. Most likely the biggest fear your boss will have is your productivity will decrease. Explain how you plan to report your productivity and progress on projects. Offer to e-mail or fax a daily or weekly report of your activities. Suggest frequent scheduled evaluation meetings. Include a list of measurable goals against which it can be determined if telecommuting is a success.
3. Checking into the office. Your boss will be wondering; how will you stay connected to the office? Nothing beats instant-messaging for real-time communication. Provide your boss with, your telephone, fax and cell numbers and e-mail address. Vow to return phone calls within a set period of time. Assure your boss you are able to come into the office on relatively short notice if you are urgently needed and that you will attend all staff / team meetings.
4. Your home office. Describe a professional and well-equipped workspace free of distractions. Draw a diagram. Better yet, include a photo of your workspace. Even better, invite your boss to visit your home office. Also mention what equipment you will need that your employer will provide and what equipment you will provide along with what costs your employer will incur (i.e. a second telephone line, Internet connection, etc...), how data-security, insurance, and liability issues will be handled should your computer be hacked or equipment stolen or damaged. Typical you will require a fax machine, additional phone line with voicemail, storage media (i.e. CD-ROMs) to back up and transport computer files, and a computer with Internet access, preferably broadband.
Conclude your proposal by offering to telecommute for a trial period, or on a part-time basis such as 2 - 3 days a week. Offer an easy out for your boss. It is hard to refuse an offer to simply try something. Your boss will want to know that you will not be distracted at home. Address any personal issues; especially if your boss is aware of them and therefore may suspect this as being the real reason for you wanting to telecommute. Outline any daycare arrangements you have for your children, or if you are looking after an elderly parent.
With a well written proposal, and a forward thinking boss, you and your employer can start enjoying the benefits of telecommuting.
I am an aspiring writer who without discrimination writes on what moves me at the moment.
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