How to Tell Your Boss That You Want to Work From Home Forever

Many workplaces are still uncertain about their ability to reopen due to recent increases in COVID infection. However, many workers aren’t so lost as to where they stand regarding the return of in-person work. Bloomberg reported that 40% of workers would rather quit than give up the perks of working from home. And the perks are plentiful–personally, we are not in no rush to leave my bed to go watch a coworker down a tuna sandwich.

Your boss may insist that you return to work in person, despite the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic. How can you tell your boss you intend to remain completely remote? Here are some communication tips for your boss to help you communicate your desire to work from home permanently.

Be open about your motives

Your boss will know that you don’t just want work-from home for the sake the company. Be upfront if you have concerns about childcare, commute, or COVID. If it is a good idea in your relationship with your boss ask them how they feel about the matter personally. Many, if not all of our bosses, are actually human beings. They might appreciate your willingness to get to know them as a person.

Keep your mind open

You must be open to compromises in any negotiation. Perhaps you can agree on flexible work hours or a hybrid model that combines remote and in-office work.

Concentrate the conversation on productivity

The argument of your employer for returning to work likely revolves around company culture, collaboration, or…synergy. You can appeal to any benefits that remote work has for the company, even if it is your primary reason for working from home. It all comes down to productivity.

Be prepared to share specific examples of how remote work has improved your productivity. Consider this: How has a lack in commute allowed you to be more productive (and saved money for the company)? Does it make it easier to work with people from different time zones? Are there concrete examples of when you were responsive and reliable? You should also have the specific metrics or numbers that will help you build your case.

Your boss should feel that your remote work is a good thing for the company. Your employer cares more about productivity and morale than you do. This is capitalism.

Be assertive, but not aggressive

While you can clearly state your case, you should also be respectful. You can bring up the many ways that you are more productive working remotely, but you want to keep your boss’s attention and be as responsive as possible. To show your boss that you are listening and understanding, repeat what they say during the conversation.

You can also balance the assertive-but-respectful tightrope through your body language, such as making eye contact–even in a video call.

Plan the right thing for you

To schedule the conversation, reach out to your boss. Keep in mind their preferred communication method. Although every boss is different, there is a good chance that you will want to have this conversation over video. You’re trying to prove that you are just as valuable working remotely. Avoid times when your boss is extremely stressed about productivity and goals.

Make sure you are clear about the topic when scheduling your talk. You might state that you are “hoping to discuss why working from home makes sense for productivity.” (More details on this soon.)

Once you have your plan, take some time to practice your talking points privately. It never hurts to have some conversation with the man behind the mirror.

Be prepared for the worst case scenario. Your boss might not be able to reach an agreement with you, and it may be time to look elsewhere for work. Your chances of finding a job remotely are likely to increase if you have many workers who share your mindset.