How to ask to work from home

Workplace leverage continues to shift back and forth between employer and employee, even years after the pandemic.

Despite who holds the leverage today, folks are still seeking the flexibility to work from home.

Remote work provides outsized benefits for people who need that flexibility. Creative roles like writing need intense focus. Parents especially need reduced commuting time and the flexibility to take care of "life".

Asking to work from home can be a little daunting, especially if it is not something that your company currently supports.

Understand your company's policies and culture

Before you approach your manager or HR department about working from home, you should find out the current company policies on the matter. Start by reviewing your company's employee handbook and any relevant documents or history on remote work. If your company does not have a policy on remote work, research other companies in your industry to see how they handle it.

Consider your company's culture. Some companies may have a traditional work environment that is resistant to change, while others may be more open to flexible work arrangements. Tailor your approach based on the objections you know you’ll need to overcome.

Preparing for the Conversation

With the current context, now prepare for the conversation with your manager or HR department.

1. Identify the benefits. Quantify the potential outcomes of working from home for both yourself and your company. This could include a rough measurement of how much more focused productivity you’ll get out of each day.

2. Anticipate and share a plan for issues. Be prepared to address concerns. Share solutions to mitigate anticipated issues like communication, data security, your home office tech needs, and collaboration with teams.

3. Propose a trial period. Test and iterate – give yourself a chance to demonstrate your ability to work effectively from home.

Making the Request

I’d recommend putting feelers out there with your manager first in a one-on-one, so you know how much you’re up against and can better prepare for your request. With their full support, this may be an easier sell to leadership. After that, formalize it in writing but make the request in person with your manager and/or HR.

1. Be clear and concise. Explain your request in clear and concise language. Provide specific details on the proposed trial period, including the frequency and duration of remote work.

2. Present objective data. Emphasize the benefits of remote work for both yourself and your company. Organize it into a plan like the one Doist outlines in their guide.

3. Make it a discussion. When your manager feels like they’re part of the idea, they’re more likely to feel ownership over it as well. At the end of the day, you both have the company and each others’ best interests in mind. Don’t squander that.

4. Be flexible. Be open to compromise and alternative solutions if your manager or HR department is not initially supportive of remote work.

Following through

If you’re granted this privilege, do not be frivolous with it.

1. Be prepared to prove you can do this. Show the data in terms of your increased quality and quantity of work.

2. At each 1:1, make sure you show up, on time, on video, and take notes.

3. Ask for feedback each meeting and check-in to ask how your manager thinks it’s going.

4. Identify any issues as you notice them so nothing brews unaddressed.

Remember to highlight the benefits of remote work and address any concerns your manager or HR department may have. Understand you may have to repeat yourself, be creative and flexible through this campaign (and it really can be a campaign).

With patience and persistence, you can successfully ask to work from home and enjoy the benefits of remote work.

Example script

Below is an example script for how to ask your manager to work from home:

Introduction: Hi [Manager's name], thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. I wanted to discuss the possibility of working from home a few days a week.

Anticipating Objections: I understand that there may be some concerns about remote work, such as communication and collaboration. However, I would like to address these concerns and offer some solutions to mitigate them. We can schedule regular check-ins through video conferencing and use sharing tools like Google Drive to ensure we are all on the same page.

Outlining Benefits: I believe that working from home can be mutually beneficial for both myself and the company. As you know in my role, I often need extended periods of execution time. With reduced commuting time and fewer distractions, I would be able to focus on my work and increase my productivity. Additionally, I would have more time to take care of "life" and improve my work-life balance, which can ultimately result in better job satisfaction and loyalty to the company. In fact, studies have shown that remote workers are more likely to stay with their employers long-term.

Trial Period: I understand that this is a big ask, so I would like to propose a trial period to test remote work and demonstrate my ability to work effectively from home. During this period, I would be available for regular check-ins and would be happy to make adjustments as needed.

Thank them for their consideration: Thank you for considering my request. I understand that this decision may take some time, and I am open to discussing any questions or concerns that you may have. Please let me know if there is anything else that I can provide to support this request.