As more companies offer opportunities for employees to work remotely, the trend is on the rise. Today, about 23% of the U.S. workforce works remotely at least part of the time, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Interestingly, a recent study from Ultimate Software revealed that remote workers aren't just surviving, they are thriving. They are not only saving time by skipping their commute, but 50% of them reported feeling less stressed when remote. In contrast, only 19% of in-office workers felt their office location caused less stress.
Furthermore, the study found that women in traditional office environments are least likely to feel there is room for growth in their current roles and feel overwhelmingly more guilty about taking time off than any other group. This suggests that remote work give women an advantage as it often leads to better productivity and work-life balance.
Now, making the case to your boss is no easy feat, and if you're at the point where you'd like to ask, here are two critical things to consider:
Why do I want to work from home?
The reality is, if you can't make a convincing argument for why you'd like to be remote full-time (or even part-time), you will not be successful. After all, having face-to-face interactions with their team is very important to many managers. Yes, you can bring up commuting and feeling more productive, but it may not be enough. Are you considering a move to another state? Are you looking to start a family or did you recently have a baby? Do you need to be closer to a sick friend or family member? While your reasons don't have to be as extreme, the important thing is to be clear on your why and be transparent about it. Do you simply want to have more freedom to travel and explore new places? Don't be afraid to prioritize these personal reasons.
Does my boss trust me?
You're more likely to get a yes if you've been crushing it at work and your boss trusts you. Have you worked from home on random occasions before? Have you consistently received positive feedback from your reviews? Have you demonstrated reliability throughout your time (met deadlines, volunteered for important projects, etc.)? If you can't say yes to any of these questions, it doesn't make sense to ask at all. If you work in a client-facing business, consider how the change may affect your relationship with them as well. Unless your clients are remote or you don't have regular face-to-face meetings with them, you're not likely to have the request approved. You need to take all these factors into your account when you make your case.
Working remotely is a change that may be difficult for your team to adjust to, but if you're thoughtful in your approach, clear on your reasons and respectful when making the case, you might successfully transition to the new lifestyle.
