Let's Talk About Getting More Remote Work Days: A Guide for Employees
Increase allowance for remote work days at home
Working from the office every day might not be the dream scenario for everyone. Here's how to persuade your boss to let you work remotely more often, with a focus on arguments that benefit your employer.
Negotiation Strategies
Your request for more remote work days should be based on your job responsibilities and project requirements. By addressing the employer's concerns about productivity and communication, you can boost your chances of success. Here are some persuasive arguments:
Productivity and Focus
Remember the business coach Ute Gietzen-Wieland's words: employees working from home can be significantly more productive. Studies have shown that flexibility can lead to increased productivity, especially when working remotely a few days a week. Structuring your workday to suit your needs often results in more focus.
Time and Cost Savings
Say goodbye to long commuting hours and hello to more time for productive work. This argument can be particularly effective during peak work periods. Travel time and costs can be significantly reduced, saving both time and money for the company.
Environmental Impact
Reduce the company's carbon footprint by eliminating commutes—a win for sustainability-conscious employers.
Work-Life Balance
While it's essential to focus on the benefits for the company, a better work-life balance might come up in conversation. Professor Hannes Zacher advises passing over this topic subtly and sticking to facts.
Arguments to Avoid
Avoid mentioning childcare or caring for relatives as they can raise red flags; your employer might assume you'll be negligent or unproductive. Even arguments like "I have to pick up the kids from school" or "I'd like to have lunch with my partner" may not sway the manager. Remember, in a hybrid work model, work-life balance lies in self-organization.
Negotiating Strategically
Ideally, bring up the topic during your annual review, sharing your past successes and requesting an increased number of remote work days based on those achievements. Building trust with your employer will make them more likely to accommodate your request.
Prepare in advance for the conversation by thinking through potential concerns and offering solutions. Proposing a trial period to test the arrangement's effectiveness is a great starting point. Agreeing on specific goals to be accomplished within a given timeframe can help validate your productivity and commitment.
When to Walk Away
If your employer remains rigid despite well-thought-out arguments, it might be time to consider a job change. Stressful commutes or a noisy office environment could signal it's time to find a job with more flexible conditions. During job interviews, ask about the company's interpretation of flexibility offers to find the right fit.
Sources: ntv.de, awi/dpa
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- To further emphasize the benefits of remote work, consider mentioning the potential for enhanced employee health and wellness through workplace-wellness and home-and-garden lifestyle improvements, as backed by Professor Hannes Zacher's insights.
- To reinforce the productivity argument in your negotiation, you could emphasize the application of science and technology in maintaining focus and efficiency while working remotely, thereby providing vocational training and excellence in your daily tasks.
- As a part of building trust with your employer during the conversation, discuss a community policy for remote work, outlining a comprehensive plan for vocational training, employee support, and collaboration, ensuring smooth communication and workflow within the team.
