How to Discuss Working Remotely With Your Boss

Telecommuting makes sense for working moms and, in many cases, it makes sense for the companies that employ them. Horrendous commutes have become the bane of the American worker, especially in urban centers. Even when public transportation is available, the process can be draining and consume parts of the day needed for important life functions, like sleep. Worker exhaustion is a real cost to companies, as well. Most of us lose the ability to do our best work when we're rundown. From a business perspective, this leads to inefficiency.

 Why working from home is a good option for working moms

Working mothers face a much greater burden. In addition to a nine-plus hour workday and commute, they've got a second full-time job at home. But it's not just about being run ragged. It's also about having time to spend with your kids. They need attention that they can't get when their mother is gone twelve hours a day, five days a week, or more. By working from home, mothers can increase their availability to their children by several hours each day. This makes all the difference in the world to a child.

Tips for a working mom that has a desk job but wants to work from home

Unless your job is already a telecommute position, working from home is something you need to discuss and negotiate with your boss. Though this may cause some apprehension, in most cases, there is little cause for worry. Today's business environment has become telecommuting friendly, thanks in part to technology and in part to a recognition that for workers to be productive and loyal, they need their job to work well for them as well as their employer. Elizabeth Lowman, a freelance writer for Forbes and Huffington Post, recently shared how she convinced her boss to allow her to telecommute in an article on The Muse.

Lowman emphasizes the importance of first weighing the potential for telecommuting. Does it fit your work duties? For example, a job with heavy in-office supervisory responsibilities may make telecommuting impossible. A job that primarily encompasses solo computer work may be perfect for telecommuting. Jobs requiring outcalls, such as outside sales, can often be done more efficiently by working from home several days a week and traveling to sales calls from there.

Once you have considered the practicality, consider scheduling and logistics. You may need to be in the office on certain days and times for meetings. Decide on a telecommuting schedule that makes sense.

How should a working mom bring up the subject of telecommuting with management? 

When proposing a telecommuting arrangement, always remember you must present why this arrangement benefits the company. For example, by cutting out commuting, you can get more done. Lowman recommends making a formal proposal. A well thought out formal request will be taken seriously. Make sure it includes the benefits of the arrangement, the schedule you feel most appropriate, and a timeframe to revisit the arrangement.

Lowman also stresses the importance of addressing your boss's concerns. Before making the proposal, try to anticipate his or her response. By presenting your proposal in a formal, professional, and reasonable manner and emphasizing its benefit to the company, you can gain approval to free yourself of time and energy wasting daily commute.