ALT-14 How to Build a Case for Telecommuting
So You Want out of the Rat Race and into Telecommuter Paradise?
Wait, please wait just a minute,I know you're all fired up about the idea of working from home. Ditch that childcare expense, keep your bathrobe on until noon, manage time to suit yourself, save gas, and wear and tear on your car. Yes, and blessed escape from those aggravating commutes that cause you to arrive at work frazzled and with coffee stains on your pants. In short, you know (or at least think you do) exactly why telecommuting works for you.
There would be no problem, then, if you were the only person you needed to convince. But of course it's the boss and maybe her boss too that needs persuasion. How will you do that? Selling new products can be difficult-selling new ideas even more so. First, determine if telecommuting is indeed a new idea for the organization that employs you. Is anyone else doing it? Is there at least flex time available? Even that is at least a start toward what you will be proposing. How well do you know the person(s) who will make the decision? Are they rigid Simon Legrees when it comes to time and attendance or are they more task and accomplishment oriented? Knowledge is power and you may have to make a powerful case for yourself when you pop the question. Let's explore some strategies.
It's only human nature for people to resist suggestions that might cause them more work,cost them money, or hassles. Assure your employer that you already have all or at least most of what you will need at home.
1-A compatible computer with a high speed connection.
2-A fax machine or at least a program that allows you to send and receive faxes over your computer.
3-A "real" phone-not just your quirky and static-filled cell phone. And - Who could forget the ever swooshing copy machine?
And while you're at it, get yourself a nice ergonomic chair as well. You may not need all these things or you may need one or two additional items but the point is to take on as much personal responsibility as you can for creating your home office.
The next hurdle is to convince your employer that you will be as efficient at home-or even more so-than you (hopefully) have been at the office. You know the nuts and bolts of your own particular work situation and are the best judge of how to present those ideas. And if you suspect your boss or organization has any leanings toward the "green" movement that is ever growing in our society, you have the perfect opportunity to present those valid fossil-fuel arguments as well. But be flexible too. Give assurances you will be available for important meetings and even perhaps willing to fill in at the office during emergencies or frantic times.
Finally, do you remember back to the beginning of this article when it was suggested that perhaps you only "think" you would be deliriously happy as a telecommuter? It's true for some people. Will the children understand what's going on when you are home but at your desk? How many times a day will you need to shout, "NOT NOW HONEY, I'M WORKING!" Once your friends and relatives know you are at home, will the phone be ringing off the hook or (gasp) will they actually start to pay personal visits? Watch out for efforts to recruit you for chaperoning school trips or providing after-school babysitting for friends or neighbors who are not telecommuting.
Possibly you will find all the potential distractions to be perfectly manageable. Perhaps you won't have many distractions and in a strange way, that becomes the problem-ISOLATION. Some folks find they miss the lunches with friends, the gossip around the water cooler, the occasional office party, and the feeling of being fully on-board. Once you are physically missing from the office, the old adage-out of sight, out of mind-can kick in with a lonely feeling. Over time, you might be left suspecting that you are out of the loop for promotions or the best assignments. You can guard against this, and at the same time increase you chances of eliciting a "YES" from your employer, by suggesting a three or four month trial period. After that you can both sit down together and review how it's all going.
Best of luck in your quest for a more sane and in-control lifestyle. Get all your ducks in a row and then go for it. If they say no, try again next year or try somewhere else. Whenever it happens, let me know when the coffee's brewed and I'll stop over. Maybe we could play some cards
