How to Ask Employer to Let Me Work from Home

I would honestly suggest you ask a general question as to company policies on WFM. If there aren't any and others are not doing it, then you'll start out entirely on the wrong footing to ask for a BENEFIT that no one else has. My company is EXTREMELY flexible about telecommuting, however, it's up to each boss AND they would NEVER let someone new do so. I've been with the company 20 years, have an exceptional work record and primarily work with folks that are in different timezones, countries, etc. so I have the flexibility WFM to suit my schedule. I also considered taking another job 3 year ago and wanted to telecommute as the company had others in my position that did so. However, they had recently turned down a newer employee for that option, thus they wouldn't even consider that I could do so.

So, back to my initial point - if the company does not have a policy, you really need to consider not taking the job. If they do have a policy that allows folks to WFM, then I think your best bet is to take the job, work hard for 6 months and show them you are independent and can get your job done with little direction. Then, you can sit down with your boss at your 6 month review and see if they are amenable to a trial WFM period. I would also suggest you be very flexible for example and start with one afternoon a week and see how it goes. For example, if someone tries to reach you and you're not there, then that will look really bad. But, if you work very hard to show how responsive you can be, then things should work out.

Also, it seems you want to work from home when your kids are home, rather than working from home while they're in school. Most companies have a policy that requires you to have a caregiver in your home if kids are there. When my kids were younger, it was virtually impossible to WFM with them around - it's actually far worse for them to have you physically there, but not really available to them. It's also very hard to maintain a professional environment with kids in the home office environment. I have the same problem with my dogs when I WFM, but I can always give them a bone and put them in the backyard - I have to find anything that will keep my kids occupied like that).

I have to WFM a couple nites a week and my teens now understand that I will defer anything (except for emergencies) when I'm working. But, other than these critical deadlines, they can interrupt as they need to.

Hi J.,

I would say if you are interested in the job whether you can work from home or not apply for it/accept it. Work for the company and establish a great work history and they might consider it. I work for a company in IL and was with the company for 4 years. I told them I was moving and was either giving my notice or if they allowed I could take the job with me. I have been working for them from home for the past 2 years. I was told that if they did not know my work history then it would not have been an option. Keep in mind that working from home they have a few extra expenses to pay so when it is time for a raise they look at the benefits of me working from home and some of the bills they pay for me (they call it a comp package). Hope this helps!

I run a business with employees who work from home. I reccomend you address this during the interview process. Waiting until you get hired is not fair to your prospective employer. Make your commitment to the job clear to your prospective employer and explain why you believe this arrangement will be successful and the benefits it will have for the company (i.e., you will committ more time because you will have the flexibility of workng from home).

Good luck!

I think if they offered telecommuting, they would have put it on the posting. Here is a website that offers legit WAH jobs www.ratracerebellion.com I got it from a M. on this site. (sorry forgot who it was!)I scope it daily to see, but not sure it would be enough $ to quit the job I have now. I get off at 2:15 and am able to be home when my DD gets off the bus. But I'm with you-- am always looking for OPP to WAH. If you decide to bring it up in the interview, I would at the first interview- just say something simple like Do you offer telecommuting? If it is a yes, you have your answer, if it is a no then you stated you are not going to do it and keep looking. If there arent any other workers in the office getting it, I doubt you will get it as a new hire either. Good luck though in whatever you do!!!

I would suggest waiting until you have the job. Getting the job offer and then bringing up the question of working from home may cause the employer to change their mind. Give it a couple of weeks of being there. Then make a suggestion to the employer. When you do approach them use your reasoning clearly and explain in the long run that it will save them money as well. I.E. supplies, computer usage, phones ect. By working from home you can consider it a home based business and you can use the items that you would purchase as a wright off at tax time. If they deny just remember you can always look for other options.

Like most others said, it's easier to make the pitch when you've worked for them for awhile (I'd been with my company 5 years before I pitched it).

But have a pros list for them. And a con list and how you're going to erase those cons and make them pros for them. I would be very hesitant to hire someone who didn't tell me upfront they were considering WFH.... but I understand your reasons for not doing so too.

During the interview process they always ask, “So, do you any questions for us?”

I think a good way to reply to this is:
What about this environment make you excited to work here?
Are there any unwritten perks i.e. telecommuting?
Do you offer flex time, what are the core business hours?
What is the dress code, how laid back is the environments, etc…

Maybe this would be a way to ask
Good Luck!
E.

There is no need to mention your family in the interview process (this is unnecessary information and could effect their opinion of you as a candidate). If I were you, I would approach the subject very generically in the initial interview. Something like "would there ever be any opportunities to telecommute or work from home in this position?" They don't need to know why you are asking this and if they ask why, just say that you were curious to know if this is an option because you heard about it on the news (or something like that). Some employers may have never thought to offer this "perk", so it may be new to them. Or, some employers may not offer it because it doesn't fit with their corporate culture or perhaps they had a bad experience with this in the past. It could also be that they have a policy about accessing work information from home (some employers have very strict privacy concerns when it comes to telecommuting, depending on the type of data that you are dealing with).

Ultimately, if you are looking for a job that you can do from home, then you are doing yourself and your future employer a disservice by applying for jobs that aren't explicitly listed as "telecommuting" jobs, unless you are willing to take a job with no possibility of telecommuting. And, you shouldn't wait until the final interview to ask this question; you should ask it up front - especially since potential employers like to have candidates with questions about the position/organization. The good news is, more employers are considering this option because it's been in the media recently with the high price of oil and the overhead expenses of running an office.

I'm not sure it's fair to the employer to spring that on them AFTER they offer you the job. The interview process is VERY costly and you should be honest with them if that's a deal breaker.

I agree with what the others have said. Working from home while the kids are there WITHOUT having someone there to watch the kids is virtually impossible. I only have 1 child and those 2 ice days a couple of weeks ago nearly made me lose my mind. Granted, he's a boy, curious, and is used to a more structured school environment, so the novelty of mommy being at home quickly wore off.

I know 2-3 women who truly work from home and they all have nannies. I have 2 friends who work less than 40 hours to spend 2 days at home.

Maybe you should look for something that is around 30 hours a week so you can work three 10 hour days and still spend 2 days at home. something like that...

I don't think you need to bring it up during the interview process. You can use it as a negotiating tool. If they cannot meet your salary or other benefits, you can propose working from home a few days a week as an option.

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