Hi Leslie,

I have a job that I believe can be done from home. How do you recommend that I approach my boss about telecommuting? Lois in NH

Hi Lois,

The very best to start any work-at-home search is with your boss particularly if you will continue to need a salary and benefits. Many people overlook this option because they don't think their boss will allow it. But there are many reasons a boss should consider it including cost savings.

The best way to approach your boss is with a written Work-At-Home Proposal that shows you have put some thought and planning into the details of working at home. The first step to this proposal is to do some research to determine your jobs conduciveness to telecommuting. 

1. Make a list of duties involved in your job dividing the list into those things that can be done from home and those things that must be done on site. 

2. Also research your company's openness to alternative work schedules. Does it allow flex-time, part-time or job share?

3. Research your industry. Do other companies in your company's industry allow alternative work schedules?

The next step is to prepare the actual proposal. It should be written and have the following information:

1. Educate your employer on contributions you have made to the company to show you are a  valuable employee.

2. Give a statement to why you want to work at home BUT it should not be because you are having childcare hassles even if that is your reason. This statement should show commitment to your career and your job.

3. Educate your employer about the benefits of telecommuting including increased productivity and decreased absenteeism.

4. Detail cost savings your arrangement may provide your employer.

5. Give your proposed work schedule including the days and hours per week you plan to work at home. Also give a date for starting this new schedule and how long the arrangement will last.

6. Let your boss know how you will be available such as phone, fax or email.  Also include information on how you will deal with office meetings, deadlines and business emergencies.

7. Outline the tasks you will be doing from home and those you will come into the office to complete. Highlight any changes from your current work situation.

8. Be sure to list any equipment or resources you currently have available such as a second phone line, computer, manuals, etc. List any equipment you need and who will be providing it.

9. If there will be a change in your duties or hours, be sure to show any monetary changes that would coincide with that.

10. Indicate how you will be evaluated. Be sure this evaluation is based on measurable tasks such as the number of reports completed. Many bosses erroneously believe they need to see you to know you are working. Working from home requires that you show you are completing work not just putting in hours.

11. Offer a trial period that is long enough to fix any kinks. Also, develop a method for evaluating the arrangement. Again, this evaluation should be measurable such as increased sales.

12. Provide supporting information. This will show your boss how successful telecommuting has been in other companies. Include statistics or articles to support your proposal. (See resources below).

13. Outline any childcare arrangements you will have so you can work. Don't believe that you can work a full time job during a child's naptime.

14. Create a telecommuting contract that also outlines the above such as times you'll work, duties that will be performed, information about the home office, contact information, childcare, and accountability.

You will want to present your proposal to your boss in person. Be sure to make an appointment for this instead of just dropping in and springing it on him or her. Before the meeting, try to get a feel for your boss's attitudes about flexible work schedules. Does anyone in your company have a flexible schedule? How are employees with a flexible schedule treated? Will your plan help solve a problem your company is facing such as lack of office space or parking? Anticipate any concerns your employer will have such as costs, accountability, and fairness.

During your presentation, focus on the benefits to your company that telecommuting can provide. Your boss doesn't care about your commute or childcare hassles. Convey your value to the company. Your boss may come up with concerns. Address these as best you can using the research to support your proposal. Be willing to negotiate. Your boss may not like your proposal as written but may be willing to allow an alternative arrangement. 

If your boss agrees, be sure to continue to work with the same diligence to the job. Failure to perform as outlined in your contract can hurt all employees in your company. 

Here are some great resources to learn more and gather supporting materials for your proposal:

• Work-At-Home Success' Telecommuting Info for Employees

• Work-At-Home Success' Telecommuting Info for Employers

• International Telework Association and Council

Ask WAHS Leslie is Leslie Truex a stay and work-at-home mom who has been helping people work at home since 1998 with her website Work At Home Success. She is also the author of Jobs At Home: A Complete Guide to Finding a Work-At-Home Job. Ask WAHS Leslie is a weekly column. You can submit a question to Ask WAHS Leslie by emailing here.