How to Propose Telecommuting To Your Boss

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By Amy Laine
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Can you perform your current position from home?

Telecommuting has become increasingly popular and can have major benefits to both the employee and employer. But how does the common person get a telecommuting position. Many people gain their telecommuting job from their current employer. If you would like to telecommute from your current position the most effective way to do this is to show your company how the change would benefit them. The following are steps to help you make a proposal to convince your boss to allow you to telecommute.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Determination.
Commitment.
Computer.
Paper.
Job.

Step 1

First be honest to yourself, if you are not this could blow up your face. Determine if you have the right skills and qualities to do your job effectively from home. Can you be well organized, keep a schedule, known to be honest, and are capable of working by your self? Also make sure you believe that your job is well suited to telecommuting. If your position mainly involves filing or running errands for other personnel your current position may not work for telecommuting. Although you can always inquire about a position that may be suitable for this. If you feel your job can be done at home and you have the right skills to telecommute proceed to next step.
Step 2

Once you are done doing the research above, start your written proposal. you should take this a seriously as when you fist went to apply for the job.
Start by writing a Cover Sheet. Make sure the cover sheet has the date the proposal will be given, your name and title, your company name and your supervisor's name and title. Assume that this proposal will go through the company, to people that possibly does not know you. The cover letter should also have a simple title, don't try too go to fancy.
Step 3

Introduction should come next. Write a short paragraph on what your goal of writing the proposal is.
Step 4

Then go to a new section and label Benefits. This is where you should point out the benefits to the company of you telecommuting. For example, Telecommuting may decrease office costs due to space needed or same the business on other miscellaneous places. Remember to be very detailed, this section will break or make your proposal.
Step 5

Next section label Implementation. This is where you will discuss what it will take for you to start telecommuting and who will be responsible for the costs. Like if you need a separate phone line, a computer, internet connection, or other office supplies, will you supply it or will you want you employer to. Also address the concerns you think your employer may have. Examples include: How much will this cost them in any initial set up fees? How will productivity be monitored?
Could they do a trial period, to see if it works out? How would this effect your work?
Step 6

Last section will include Scheduling. Discuss here what you want to happen. How often do you want to telecommute? How often will you check in? Your employer may feel more comfortable trying out the telecommute position in a trail period to assure it works for the business. If you would like to introduce this, talk about that here.
Step 7

Now that you have written your proposal, go over it. Spell check, spell check, spell check. Go over your proposal and also let a close friend go over it. Do not share you plans with your co-workers just yet. When you are satisfied with your proposal schedule a meeting with your boss to go over your proposal. Be sure to type your paper up very neat.

Comments

dsarokin said

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on 9/6/2008 I telecommute two days a week. It's great, it's productive, and it quite simply has made my life better. Thanks for highlighting this important topic.

eieio said

on 5/14/2008 I am looking for "X" executives looking to work from home after a period of down time. My industry was wholesale/retail. Product development, importing.
Like to open a dialogue to get ideas for networking.
eieio