Do you dream of the flexibility and freedom of working from home?
Would you like to travel around the world without having to change jobs or quit?
If you’re ready to start a new stage in your professional life but convincing your boss might be a problem, we’re here to help you!
Let’s explore five different ways in which you approach this topic with your boss. After all, remote work is, for many people, a great choice in 2023.
1. Highlight all the advantages of working remotely
When you talk to your boss, focus on the benefits of remote working, both for the company and for you.
To make a long story short, working remotely can:
- Improve your productivity;
- Allow for fewer distractions;
- Save time on commuting;
- Reduce absenteeism.
Remember to mention that it saves money for the company since they can reduce office space and other costs.
On the other hand, and from a human resources perspective, allowing remote workers is good because the company can hire people from all over the world and access a greater pool of talent and skills.
Some of those might not be available locally, but they certainly are in other places.
Last but not least, remote work has a positive impact on the wellbeing of people, and as a consequence, they’re more satisfied with their jobs.
2. Showcase your past achievements
If you’ve worked remotely at any point in your professional career, tell your boss about the results you brought to the company, regardless of where you were in the world.
Make sure to highlight:
- The goals you met;
- Your greatest achievements;
- The productivity level;
- The expectations that you exceeded.
Don’t forget to use personal and concrete examples that they might remember to showcase your abilities regarding time management, teamworking, and efficiency.
3. Suggest a trial period to evaluate the results
After the first two arguments, your boss might be slightly more open to the idea of letting you work remotely, but still doubtful.
If they’re still concerned, your best bet is to suggest a trial period to test your productivity while working remotely.
For example, you could start working remotely one or two days every week, taking care to show your skills and deliver great results. If possible, make sure the results are better than normal.
You can also set up clear communication channels and update them on your progress regularly. If you succeed, it’s concrete proof that you’ve got a good skillset to work remotely.
4. Offer solutions to potential problems
Try to anticipate your boss’ concerns and the challenges they might raise when you work remotely.
You can start by developing a plan that ensures good communication with them and your coworkers.
For example, consider project management tools, and schedule virtual meetings regularly. This way, you will still work as a team without having to be in the same place.
If your boss is worried about cybersecurity, which is a legitimate concern, talk to them about the advantages of a good VPN service. This way, your connection will be encrypted, and it will prevent stealing your company’s data.
When proposing solutions, stay proactive and address any concerns your boss might have regarding accountability and deadlines. You can report your progress weekly or use software to track your time on your tasks.
5. Don’t forget about statistics
It’s important to have a firm case when you talk to your boss, so do research and provide your boss with the real facts and figures of the benefits of working remotely.
Remote work is a growing trend, and it’s successful as well, so you shouldn’t have any problems with it.
Don’t be afraid to cite different studies and highlight how much productivity is increased, aside from greater job satisfaction and better finances. Cite other companies that have embraced remote work and are now on a good path.
If you present data-backed evidence, your boss will be more easily persuaded. Remote work is, after all, legitimate and effective in the modern professional landscape.
In a nutshell
It takes effort to convince your boss that remote work is something to be embraced and not something to fear. Still, it’s worth fighting for the rewards.
Remember to keep highlighting all the benefits of remote working for the company, like the cost reduction, the expansion of the talent pool, and the greater diversity and inclusivity companies need to allow this kind of dynamic.
If you show commitment and problem-solving skills, it’s easier for people to agree with what you’re doing.
