Working from home: Talk to your employer

Q: I am facing a dilemma with returning to the office or starting a job search for a position where I can work from home. I have saved a lot of money by not driving back and forth to the office, and having more time to spend with my family. I dread having to stop a good career path because of the location. What suggestions do you have?

CR: You are not alone in rethinking your career path as more employers require employees to return to the office either a few days a week or all.

The last couple of years has changed how work is performed, influencing many to stop and consider their priorities.

There are benefits to working from home, such as savings with travel expenses, eating out for expensive lunches, and the time commuting to the office in heavy traffic. Returning to the office is one of the issues employers now face with employees. Working in an office makes it easier to meet with your colleagues in person, facilitates some communication, and can encourage creativity.

Before you stop a good career path, consider talking with your boss. Having a good conversation starts with negotiating the facts rather than emotions. Most managers can identify with the time spent with family and the commute to the office. However, these two areas might not sway a boss from getting approval to work from home.

An excellent way to start planning for a conversation is to write down the key areas you would like to discuss, and then list key benefits the employer would receive in this workplace model.

Take some time to research how other industries are handling employee requests. Focus on the facts first through due diligence. If you are anxious about the conversation, the information you gather will help calm your thoughts.

Your employer hired you for a reason: the skills and value you bring to the company. Think about the time and expense to replace you and the training and knowledge you have to keep projects running smoothly. Just as if you were writing a resume, highlight the accomplishments you had while working remotely.

The key is to demonstrate that you can perform the job and exceed expectations. Employers offer more of a hybrid culture where you work interchangeably from the office and home, but some are fully remote, so remember that as well.

Keep an open mind and plan for continuing the discussion. It helps to prepare for concerns your boss may have and possible pushback. If pushback happens, avoid getting defensive, listen and then ask open-ended questions that generate a good discussion in order to achieve the best work life for your needs.

Aim for a win-win solution instead of stopping your career from progressing.