How to Ask Your Employer for a Flexible Work Arrangement

How to Ask Your Employer for a Flexible Work Arrangement

The COVID-19 pandemic changed just about every aspect of daily life for people in Ohio, and throughout the rest of the country. While there were few positive aspects of the pandemic, one that emerged was that millions of people started working from home. Although working from home presents its own challenges, many people are finding it allows them to strike the work-life balance they have been searching for, and they want to continue doing it long after the pandemic is over. 

So, how do you ask your employer for a flexible work arrangement if you want to continue working from home? You can start by following the tips below.

Do Your Research

If you are looking for a new place of employment and want to work from home, research any company you are considering joining first. Go to the company’s website to determine if they offer flexible work arrangements. If you are going to remain with the same company you worked for before or during the pandemic, ask other employees who have successfully negotiated a work-from-home arrangement. Coworkers that know your boss or employer personally can provide helpful insight on how to negotiate with them.

Focus on the Value

It is easy for employers to focus on the challenges that having a work-from-home employee presents. They may think you will not be as productive, or that you will take shortcuts in your work. Prepare for these arguments by presenting your employer with a plan for working from home that will actually increase their bottom line. If you can do that, it will make it much harder for them to reject the proposal.

Prepare a Contingency Plan

Your employer may not be as eager to have you work from home, and they may raise many arguments against your proposal. Consider what arguments they may raise so you can prepare for them with a backup plan. For example, if your employer is only hesitant to have you work from home because they fear other staff members will want the same, be prepared to answer that concern. Perhaps you live much further away than other staff members, or maybe your employer should make decisions on a case-by-case basis.

Show Your Productivity

The main concern employers have about allowing employees to work at home is that they will not remain productive. If you worked from home during the pandemic and were still productive, you should explain that to your employer, showing them there is no reason your productivity would slow down in the future.

Ask

Many employees do not want to outright ask to work from home because it is a fairly bold thing to do. While that is true, when seeking flexible work arrangements, you must ask outright, as a suggestion will likely not garner much attention from your boss. You can also start by asking for a trial run, so you can show how productive you are at home, and that the new arrangement will boost revenue.

Our Employment Lawyers in Columbus Can Ensure Your Rights are Upheld

If you are successful in negotiating a flexible work arrangement, it is important to know your employer is still responsible for upholding your rights, including a fair wage and overtime pay. If your employer has violated these rights, our Columbus employment lawyers at Marshall Forman & Schlein LLC, can help you make things right. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a consultation.