Work help--about WFH

[justjen]

thanks, all!

[Deleted]

I have my own business and have been out of the traditional work force for almost 10 years now so I won't be any help with that. But my setup at home is a laptop in a stand (this brand but an older model) www.amazon.com/iStand-Notebook-Center-Speakers-IH-A711SS/dp/B002ISTN2S attached to a second 24 inch monitor. I have a separate keyboard and mouse. Easy and cheap ($200 or less) way to get yourself a dual monitor setup at home.

Good luck!

[Deleted]

Outline how it will benefit the company of there are any such benefits.

[laurenh]

In addition to the points you listed I would also consider adding that you'd make yourself available for any important meetings that did require your attendance at the office. If you can't dial into the meetings that keep you up to date, is there a coworker that could fill you in? That seems like the biggest issue.

I bought a docking station and two monitors for my desk at home because I need a lot of screen real estate - this was about $250 and worth every penny. I also use a wireless keyboard and mouse so that I can have the docking station under my desk.

Good luck!

[chickens987]

WFH is pretty standard at my company, so we do tend to schedule meetings around that. Hopefully if this happens, you will see a culture shift.

I"m actually encouraging H to do this too now since his commute costs us $8/day in tolls I'd focus on INCREASED productivity if possible - not just "I can do as well at home as in the office", but: better focus (if people can't come to you with their RIGHT NOW problem, you can focus on your work better), more time to commit to work, since you're not spending so much time on the road. Does your work pay commuting costs? Eventually those would likely decrease.

[ECB]

You say you can be flexible on what day, so I'd try to make it in for meetings.

[anna7602]

When I WFH 1-2 days/ week at my previous job, I had to commit to being in the office on specific days (ie, always on our staff meeting day and on one other day so that anyone who needed to see me, internal or external, could set up time with me on that day).

I also guaranteed that I had childcare between certain hours, but that didn't change the fact that sometimes a press release had to be drafted at 8pm, well after our nanny had left for the day and long before DH got home from work.

Anyway, just have all the particulars outlined and walk in to the request confident and self-assured. Good luck!

[Deleted]

I WFH or travel, and I echo - the cost of an external monitor is WELL WORTH the $150+ spend (pending your tech preferences)!

Definitely outline that you have FT childcare, and the other posters outlined other good items to review.

Are you in a 40 hr wk job, or one that is frequently well-over 40 hrs? I'm just thinking out loud here, but if you went for 2 days WFH (which I'd ask for) - you could indicate that one big driver of your ask is to gain some time catching up if needed given that you've likely got to leave at x hour to pick up baby from childcare. Note: that's 6 extra hours per week - so not sure if you want to sign up for that always. However, that may be n/a for your life, job, or company.

I would also try to set relatively standard day(s) that you're regular WFH. It's very confusing for colleagues - especially when you're trying to attend meetings - when you're out inconsistent days.

I also would make clear that I'm planning to come into the office for meetings.

[ktw]

I WFH 90% of the time, but that's very common in my department/company. I didn't really have to convince anyone to let me, I just told them I would be. I think your approach is good, though I might ask for two days a week, and I would make them set days, so that the people you work with know what to expect. You could of course say that if there was a big, important meeting one week, you would be happy to be flexible, but in general you plan to WFH on Mondays and Wednesdays, or whatever you want to do.

There are benefits to your company, but they're not easy to talk about in a meeting with your boss. What should be going through his/her mind when you talk to him/her is that this kind of flexibility inspires loyalty in employees, and also that you're a mom with two young kids, commuting 3 hours per day, and that if WFH will keep you satisfied and happy, there's a lot of value to the company. If you were to leave, they'd have to start over with someone new, which costs a lot of time and money. But, there's not a good way to say that without it sounding like you're threatening to leave. Hopefully your boss realizes this on his/her own.

[leonard131]

I WFH one day a week. When I first proposed it WFH was not very popular at my company which is kind of ironic because technically our business is to support staff located all over the world so it really doesn't require you to be in the office. It is now much more accepted.

I put together a memo. I picked my day, indicated how I would complete my work, indicated I would accessible for all meetings via phone or video conference. I also indicated I would be able to come in should I be needed on my WFH day. I also suggested we start with a 3 month trial period. 2 years later and still is working.

Are there certain days a week you have standing meetings? If so, don't pick those days to WFH. Ask for trial period and indicate you will be open to feedback on what is working and not working with the arrangement. If I recall you have been with this company for a little bit so you might surprised how open they may be to it in order to keep a good employee happy.

chickens987 I feel your pain. It costs me close to $14 a day to commute so only having to do it 4 days a week is nice.

[Deleted]

leonard131 - $14 a day!!! Ackkk.....

[justjen]

Thank you so much everyone for your feedback!

I would like to draft the email this week, so this gives me a lot to think about. I suspect it won't be approved, mostly because of the precedent it will set with others wanting to do the same--and in a department of 15-20 people, most of whom have long commutes, I suspect *most* people would want to do the same. Still, I feel like this is my best time to ask, so I'll at least make the request! Even though I'm a bit nervous about it.

I'll keep you all posted. You guys are the best!