Working remotely isn’t a ground-breaking concept. Several reports confirm that even before the pandemic, nearly 20% of U.S. citizens were already working remotely fully or partially. But, if you’re like me, you probably only discovered the potential that working like this offered post-pandemic. And, with the number of remote workers set to increase exponentially in the coming years, there’s never been a better time to start seriously considering negotiating work from home.
Naturally, facilitating any remote work package with your employer will demand delicacy and diplomacy.
Just imagine negotiating a remote work arrangement with your boss without thorough planning and preparation! Chances are you’ll come out of that conversation with no small amount of egg on your face!
For those who want to pick up working from home permanently after COVID-19, here’s the perfect guide for you!
- Negotiating Work From Home Arrangement – Why Bother?
- Three Super Powers For Negotiating Work From Home
- How to Prepare For a Work From Home Conversation
- The 7 Best Tips For Negotiating For Remote Work Fully Like A Pro
- What To Consider Before Proposing A WFH Arrangement
- Popular Questions About Negotiating Work-from-home
Negotiating Work From Home Arrangement – Why Bother?
I’ll be straight with you; negotiating work-from-home arrangements in any capacity with your employer will take a lot of doing.
So, ask yourself if the reward is worth the effort.
Short answer: Yes!
Pushing to work remotely fully pays several dividends.
From top to bottom, one of the immediate perks of working from home is that you get to repurpose your commute time. The fact that I don’t have to beat the morning traffic gives me much more time to savor my cup of coffee and adequately prepare myself for the task ahead mentally.
Also, when an ideal work-life balance is achieved, working remotely can improve your productivity and efficiency. As distractions fade into the background and your focus sharpens, you’ll find that you can accomplish more in less time.
Another reason you should get the hang of negotiating remote work during the interview is that it helps you operate in your comfort zone. In your safe zone, you get to do everything from wearing what you want to setting the room temperature as low or as high as you like!
Now that you know just how good this employment style can be, it’s time to start proposing a work-from-home sample.
Before that, though, you should attend to a couple of things first. And one of them is understanding the power dynamics through negotiations. Let me simplify them for you here:
Three Super Powers For Negotiating Work From Home
When negotiating, you need to be aware of the three main types of power play. Understanding these power concepts will help you better prepare and recognize the employer or client’s red flags during negotiation:
1. Being in Control: Independence-Based Power
So, picture this: you’re in a negotiation and have this cool thing called “independence-based power” working for you. It’s all about not needing to lean on others too much. This power is like a BFF with your BATNA – that stands for your best alternative to a negotiated agreement. If your BATNA is solid, it’s like having a secret weapon. You don’t have to rely too much on the other side because you’ve got a backup plan that’s pretty awesome.
Imagine you’re at a garage sale and want this vintage video game. You know, another garage sale down the street selling the same game for even cheaper. That other option is your BATNA. With that in your pocket, you’re not desperate and can haggle confidently. Your strong BATNA makes you a negotiation ninja – you’re not at the other person’s mercy, and that’s a pretty sweet advantage. You’re in the driver’s seat, my friend! 🚗💨
2. Calling the Shots: Role-Based Power
Alright, let’s talk about “role-based power.” This one’s about the job title or position you rock. Imagine you’re the captain of a sports team. That title isn’t just for show – it comes with some serious influence. People automatically respect your decisions because you’re the boss on the field.
Now, think about this in a negotiation. If you’ve got a fancy role or title, it’s like having a negotiation superpower. You’ve got the authority and control that naturally come with your position. It’s like having an ace up your sleeve, especially in companies or groups with hierarchies or if you’re gunning for a corporate role. Your role-based power can give you a real edge when discussing deals. People know you’ve got the backing of your part, which provides you with some serious sway at the negotiation table.
So what does this mean? Act like the part. If you’re applying for a senior management role, be sure to suit up and paint the impression that you’re ready to conquer the world – in your case, the role.
3. Boosting Your Negotiation: Psychological Power
Hey there, ever heard of “psychological power”? It’s like a Jedi mind trick for negotiations. You can still have a serious negotiation game even if you’re not the big cheese.
Check this out: Professor Cameron Anderson did some digging and found that thinking about times you nailed it can make you feel powerful. Remember acing that tough project? That’s your secret weapon!
Imagine this: you’re gearing up to negotiate, feeling a bit shaky. No sweat! Remember those victorious moments and bam! You’ve got a confidence boost like no other. It’s like wearing an invisible negotiation superhero cape. This mind power seriously changes the game.
But here’s the deal: power isn’t all sunshine. It’s a two-way street – it can be awesome but sometimes tricky. No matter its source, power is a big deal in negotiations. Knowing these three power types makes you a negotiation ninja. You’ll handle twists and turns like a pro. 🥷🌟
How to Prepare For a Work From Home Conversation
Remember I said that negotiating remote work arrangements can be tough?
Well, the biggest reason for that boils down to the issue of why your employer would want to extend you such leverage in the first place.
Just think about it; why should any employer forgo the numerous advantages of the conventional workplace paradigm and let you “roam free”?
How well you can answer this question will determine whether you get your wish, so proper preparation is crucial for those committed to working from home permanently after COVID-19.
So, how do you go about this?
My top three recommendations along those lines are:
Do Your Research
Overall, you can expect some pushback from your employer when you first submit your WFH proposal.
One of the best things you can do to forestall many of the challenges of proposing such arrangements is to ensure you’ve done your homework, too.
Don’t rely on sentiments alone.
Ask yourself critical questions like:
- Is a work-from-home arrangement ideal for my current life situation?
- Will I strike an excellent work-life balance with this working style?
- How exactly do I plan to achieve this feat?
Knowing the answers to these questions is critical because, like all things, working remotely has pros and cons. And, it would be best if you didn’t wait for your employer to point those out to you during your interview – that won’t paint you in a good light.
You need to be proactive when it comes to both identifying and addressing those challenges.
Have A Detailed Proposed Work From Home Arrangement Ready
Every employer loves an employee that shows initiative.
And showing that you’ve thought things through logically and rationally is essential to prove that you have what it takes to manage the adjustment you’re proposing.
A great way of doing this is to have a blueprint of the work-from-home arrangement you want to pursue.
In doing this, remember that working from home looks a little different for everyone. For example, your ideal work-from-home setup might involve operating remotely from start to finish. Alternatively, it might be splitting your work hours between your home and the physical office.
Ensure to pick the suitable model here, as doing so will further your cause considerably.
Make Your Approach Formal
Your employer runs a business.
So, it’s only to be expected that they would balk at anything that might threaten the profitability and survival of their establishment. Under certain circumstances, it’s easy to see how negotiating remote work arrangements can be perceived as a problem instead of an opportunity.
It’s your job to help your employer see otherwise.
So, to successfully learn how to negotiate remote work during an interview, you need facts and figures to support your request, including hunting down credible sources that conclusively show the merits of remote work to the employee and the employer.
Formalize the entire affair by putting together all the resources that support your case in a proper proposal and follow the appropriate official channels to present the document.
The 7 Best Tips For Negotiating For Remote Work Fully Like A Pro
And now, we get to the thick of things, understanding the best practices for successfully negotiating work from home in 2023. The best things you can do to ensure that this endeavor goes smoothly include:
1. Formally Propose a Discussion
Nothing starts if you don’t initiate an engagement with your employer.
So first, you need to discuss the possibilities of setting up a work-from-home arrangement with the appropriate quarters in your workplace.
While some people are more partial to the yes-no approach, I prefer drawing your supervisor into an actual discussion. This helps all parties to air their thoughts properly. As such, you’ll have ample latitude to argue your case.
2. Show The Status Quo Won’t Be Changing Significantly
The biggest reason an average employer will likely turn down any request to work from home is that they believe this will significantly change work operations. But that doesn’t always have to be the case, and it’s up to you to let your boss see that.
Along these lines, it’s important to conclusively show that things will be the same if you work from home. You’ll be able to accomplish all your core and peripheral tasks without a hitch, even from home.
I’ve discovered that a good approach here is comparing working from home and at the office. In doing this, extensively highlight the aspects where these two paradigms are the same. Of course, it also helps to point out ways to use modern tech to integrate better and optimize your workflow.
3. Let Your Employer Know What’s In It For Them
As I mentioned, your employer isn’t running a charity; they’re in business to make a profit. If you plan on deviating from the laid-out MO, it only makes sense that you do so in a profitable manner for the company.
Along these lines, questions you need to find answers to include:
- How does negotiating remote work arrangements make the company more productive?
- How do you plan to stay driven and goal-oriented offsite?
- What do you plan to do if working remotely impairs your overall performance?
Knowing the answers to these questions and ensuring you word them properly will push you one step closer to your end goal.
4. Highlight Your Track Record
Again, requesting a work-from-home arrangement is a huge ask if you haven’t realized it yet. Therefore, you must do some nudging to get your employer to go in the right direction–This is where calling in all the chips and brownie points you’ve amassed throughout your service comes in.
Start by citing specific instances of how you’ve significantly impacted the company’s trajectory. Highlight your core strengths and take advantage of past performance reviews to further bolster the point that you’re worth what you’re asking.
Demonstrating to them your productive outcome from working in your comfort zone can help you further strengthen what you intend to bring to the table.
5. Be Solution-Oriented when Negotiating Work From Home
If there’s one pitfall I’ve noticed when it comes to seeking a work remote fully or partial arrangement, it’s that most people need to prepare more for the potential feedback from their employer.
Remember that it’s only natural for your employer to be worried that you’re looking to change the status quo. With those worries often come concerns—these concerns you need to be both ready and willing to attend to.
You don’t need to have all the answers on the spot. However, you have to show that you understand their point of view and are prepared to alleviate any perceived issues with practicable solutions.
6. Be Ready to Shift Ground
A little give-and-take may be necessary to get what you want here.
While you would ideally want your employer to grant you work-from-home rights on your terms, you must accept that you may have to compromise on a few things. Remembering this is essential to master negotiating remote work during an interview.
For example, you could push for working from home a couple of days a week first, even though your ultimate goal is to make a full transition. The simple fact that you’re willing to be flexible might motivate your employer to make concessions, too.
7. Propose Testing Your Theory
At the end of the negotiation phase, your employer might still need to be completely sold on the remote working idea. I had to deal with something similar. Because the new system you’re proposing will require an adjustment from all sides, suggesting a trial period can do wonders for everyone involved.
So, in your proposal to work from home sample, why not recommend that the business let you try the paradigm you’re proposing for two weeks?
During this timeframe, you can conclusively show that you can strike the needed work-life balance without putting your employer at significant risk. Coming back, you’ll be able to negotiate from a position of strength, ensuring that your boss will be much more inclined to buy what you’re selling.
What To Consider Before Proposing A WFH Arrangement
Sure, right now, a work-from-home (WFH) arrangement is what you want. However, if you don’t manage the situation right, it can quickly spiral into a be-careful-what-you-wish-for situation.
I said it before and I will say it again–Remote work sounds cool but it’s not for everyone!
Remote working takes a huge deal of discipline, organization and time management to make it work. Imagine working around the US time zone when you’re based in Asia.
Also, the type of person you are will also decide if remote jobs are best suited for your optimal work performance. Are you an introvert or extrovert? Do you crave time alone or time together with your coworker?
So how do you make sure things don’t spiral to doomsday and jeopardize your work performance, leaving you all miserable?
I’ve drawn some conclusions from my collective experience since I’ve been working remotely for nearly a decade. Here are some of the most important things I’ve takeaway and learned even from others:
1. Risk of Isolation
Many of us greatly underestimate the benefits of a communal workplace vibe when negotiating work-from-home arrangements. Sure, working from your comfort zone is cool and all. However, if not done carefully, it can quickly become monotonous and might make you feel isolated from the world.
Thankfully, you can keep such dark feelings in check by staying connected with friends and family. An outing now and then will keep the feelings of solitude firmly at bay.
2. How To Manage Distractions
Working from home is like the proverbial double-edged sword. On some level, it frees you from the commonplace distractions at work. On another level, it ensures that potential diversions like the kids, pets, or even the TV are almost always in your face.
Before taking the plunge into working from home permanently after COVID-19, it helps to have a clear plan for managing these interruptions.
3. How to Manage Work-Life Balance
Another thing that we rarely give enough credit to deserving employees in the conventional workplace is clock-out time. Working from home, no one can tell you when to stop, meaning you could risk overworking and risking your physical and mental health.
Mental health is of particular importance here, especially for natural introverts. So, in addition to learning how to protect your physical and mental health, you should also look into ways to structure your work schedule optimally.
4. Potential Home Office Expenses
Yup! You should have read that correctly!
Running your home office costs money, and the sooner you awaken to that fact, the easier it will be to streamline those expenses. You only need to blink for the cost of variables like electricity and Internet bills to pile up!
As such, you need to have a plan to compensate for those costs.
So Should You Negotiate To Work From Home?
Negotiating work-from-home arrangements successfully can help you settle into a style of work that fits you and brings out the best in you. But in learning how to negotiate remote work during an interview, you need to know that your work is cut out for you!
From laying the proper groundwork by doing research, compiling your facts and figures, and presenting these details right to ensuring that you set the perfect platform for this discussion and give your employer the needed assurances, you’ve got a lot of ground to cover.
And, even when you have things in hand, you need to make certain you take steps to ensure a good work-life balance, promote your physical and mental health, manage distractions, and avoid excessive expenses.
I hope you find all you need to give yourself a hitch-free ride above.
Popular Questions About Negotiating Work-from-home
Is Remote Work A Fad?
No, remote work isn’t a fad. It is the future of the workplace, and while it might take some time, it’ll eventually become the new normal.
Can Negotiating Work From Home End Badly?
Yes, negotiating work from home can end badly. If you don’t take the time to prepare for the exercise properly and have a clear and polite presentation, your request may not be well received by your supervisor.
In the worst case, this can lead to friction between you and your employer.
Can I Justify Working From Home To My Employer?
Yes, you can justify working from home to your employer. There are several reasons for this. For one, it has been shown that there are also clear benefits for your employer if they allow you to work from home. For the other, depending on the nature of your job and your track record, you can make a solid argument for your case.
The most important thing is to know how to negotiate remote work during an interview properly.
Will Working Remotely Affect My Salary?
Working remotely should not affect your salary because you’ll essentially do everything you usually do in the traditional office setting. The only difference is you’ll be performing those activities from home.
However, you should seek clarification on this point from your employer while making your WFH proposal.
What Should I Do If My Employer Rejects My WFH Proposal?
Should your employer reject your WFH proposal, the first thing to do is take a step back to review the draft you tabled. Try to identify what could’ve gone wrong during the negotiation process and make an effort to fix that. Then, wait for a while and pitch your proposal again.
If your supervisor still shoots it down, then they may not be sold on the remote work idea yet, and want to keep the status quo. In this case, there’s nothing more you can do.
