asking boss to work at home

[luv2nascar]

I need some advise and pumping up to help ask boss to work at home some times (2-3 days) per week and the remaining time in the office. It really wouldn't be that big a deal since I have computer and printer at home. Someone would just have to set up the programs I need. But I feel he will say no because others will want to do it also.

I work for a fortune 500 insurance company and could easily process the paperwork I do at home. And I think by going into the office 2-3 days per week I could get all the things I can't do here done, make any phone calls (not a big deal to make them from home really) and pick up my work for the days when I'm home.

It would be great for my family. I just had a new baby girl, Emma, born 6/25/03. She sleeps many hours a day and I could get alot done during nap time & older DD will be back in school Tuesday after Labor day and I don't go back to work until 8/20/03. Dh is home around 3pm so he could watch kids in late afternoon or early evening if I need to work or on a weekend.

It is going to be hell going back to work full-time away from Emma and the scheduling could be hell. We are still working with in-laws to watch Emma. I think they will but they would be happy if it wasn't full time (every day). I'm sure they would do it 3 days a week. But I'm really asking alot of them. Both in laws are retired. MIL gets older DD ready for school and puts her on the bus (so I can go to work for 6:30am-3:00pm). That way I am home to get her off the bus. there are a couple of issues with me switching to a later schedule - I'm a morning person and number 2 I'll probably never be allowed to work this schedule again if I give it up as some work early and some work later.

Crossing fingers I can think of some good arguments for boss and hoping he is feeling generous because working from home 2 days a week would be the best thing for my family right now.
Me quiting is not an option right now. We just bought a new home 1 year ago not realizing our family would be growing by one more addition so my income is needed.

I've tried to do the numbers and there is no way I can quit without getting another job. Problem is I have a really good job and don't want to give it up for a sucky low paying job working nights, holidays, and weekends at the mall or walmart.

OH the frustrations of a working mother. I know all mothers are working whether its outside the home or not.

 

[Sharby]

Before I had DS (now age 22) - I'll tell you what worked for me. I supervised about 8 people. 2 of the people (and both were excellent workers) that I supervised had babies within a month of each other. I wrote out a proposal for each of these women to work 1/2 time upon return from their maternity leaves (and remember this was in the late 70's when this was very uncommon) and directed it to upper management. I pointed out all the pros and cons of the situation. The result? Management approved these 2 experienced women working 1/2 time after maternity leave and another new full-time (and inexperienced) worker was hired.

Then as a single parent from Day 1 - when it came time for my son to go to school - I knew I wanted to pick him up from school (because that's when you hear about what happened at school that day - not at 5 or 6 pm - by then, the child has mostly forgotten about what happened at school.) Since I had changed jobs and was no longer directly supervising anyone, starting work earlier in the day would work best for me. So, I again submitted a written proposal to my manager - asking if I could come into work earlier and leave at 2:45 pm. I again listed all the pros and cons. My request was granted. (Sidenote: I loved the hours so much (I'm a morning person) that I've kept the hours to this day - I get home at 3PM now! and my only child is 22. And I get a lot of work done in the morning before everyone gets in and they are very satisfied with my productivity and caliber of work!)

Anyway. I suggest that you write a professional-looking proposal - with a trial period (to the end of the calendar year?) and then all parties would reevaluate it (you working from home). Submit it with a cover letter asking your boss to consider this and you'd be glad to come in (before you return to work) and discuss it with him/her).

Hope this helps.

 

[PamOKW]

As Sharby has already suggested, a written proposal is the way to go. I second her guidelines, trial period, etc.

I'm sure you wouldn't phrase it to the boss the way you have here. His/her first priority is getting the work done. They won't want to hear that you'll fit work in around the nap schedule.

You'll be taken more seriously if the day(s) you want off are not Friday or Monday. Also, consider what your answer would be if you are asked to go part-time, not working from home those days but taking them off unpaid. If you are the first in your department/company to get such a schedule, be prepared for extra scrutiny and possible resentment from your co-workers.

 

[cindala]

I agree that written proposal sounds good. I hope it works out for you! Good Luck and keep us posted!

 

[Sharby]

And as an afterthought - if possible - (might not be workable with your occupation) but work in the office Wed to Friday of Week 1 and Monday & Tuesday of Week 2.

Why?

Well, for starters - you are in the office every week (not 1 week you are there and then nobody sees you for an entire week). Among other things - this makes you visible every week to other workers and to your boss (this is important)

You only have to be prepared to go into the office for - at the most - 3 days at a stretch. Then you'll have a 2 days on the weekend to 'catch up' (home and paid work) and then you just have 2 days to do at the office before getting a week at home.

This is a big draw - if you persuade the parents to look after the wee one. They'll only have to do 3 days (Wed to Friday) and then they'll have the weekend off before looking after Emma for 2 days - then they get a week off. And at your parents age - 5 days in a row is probably too much without a break.

I had to persuade the 2 women in my first post that this way (one worked Wed to Fri of Week 1 and Mon. & Tues. of Week 2 and the 2nd one worked opposite the first one) was the best way to go. But after a month or two of working this schedule - they both told me that this was the way to do it. (And this way, everyone - coworkers and bosses - saw one or the other of these 2 women in the office every day of the week )

Good luck and I hope this works out for you and your family, luv2nascar.

 

[Jenn]

Well, I don't work out of my house, but I am part-time, which is unheard of in my department. There was 1 other woman who went part time and works Tues, Wed, Thurs and they always complain that she isn't there on Mon and Fri, etc.

So, I proposed working every day, just 1/2 days. They were fine with that since I would be there every day, so now I work 8-12.

 

[Loubon]

Originally posted by luv2nascar
I need some advise and pumping up to help ask boss to work at home some times

I wish my boss would work at home all of the time!