Interested in securing a telecommuting arrangement at your job? Here are four tips to help you successfully prepare to discuss this option with your employer: (excerpted from our instantly downloadable e-guide, FlexJobs: Your Work, Your Life, Your Way! )
1. Investigate Company Policy: Look at the policies and procedures manual for any written telecommuting guidelines. If there are none, make an appointment to speak with the Human Resources department and get their input. Many companies don't have official policies on this issue, so be sure to check with other employees to get a sense of how the "unofficial" policy works.
2. Be Specific About What You Want: Carefully analyze your needs before approaching your boss about a telecommuting arrangement. It's best to come up with a few workable alternatives - your boss will prefer a well-thought out series of options over a "yes or no" ultimatum.
3. Prepare, prepare, prepare: Before meeting with your boss, get your facts in order. Think about your proposal from the company's standpoint and be prepared to explain how your job will still get done when you telecommute. Write a thorough proposal outlining your request , put it away for a few weeks, and then read it again. Anticipate objections your boss might have and practice your responses to those objections.
4. Select a strategically advantageous time for your meeting: While no time is perfect, most managers have periods during the day (or week ) when they are more easily accessible than others. Schedule your meeting for a time when you are least likely to be interrupted -- early mornings or after five o'clock tends to be best for most managers.
