How to Negotiate Working from Home

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE SEE MY DISCLOSURES. FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Remote work didn’t used to be a thing.

That was until the pandemic and new technologies made it possible for certain jobs to get done without ever having to step foot in the office. 

It’s estimated that there are around 22 million employed adults in the U.S. working from home full-time.

That’s an impressive number!

But while the desire for remote jobs grows, employer attitudes don’t necessarily reflect the same sentiment.

More and more employers are trying to get employees to return to the office.

But this doesn’t mean you have to give up the idea of working from home.

Is your employer trying to get you to come back into the office?

Or are you looking for a new job and want to know how to be able to work from home?

If so, we’ve scoured the web for some strategies that will give you insight into how to negotiate working from home.

15 Tips To Negotiate Working From Home

#1. Work It Into Your Employment Contract

If you’re interested in working from home, it should be something that you immediately start discussing with your employer both during the hiring process and when you’re first brought in.

This will allow you to work this arrangement into your employment contract.

Schedule a meeting to discuss this specific arrangement and make a strong case for yourself so you can see the results you want.

#2. Take a Proactive Approach

One thing that I’ve learned in all my years in business is that if you want something, you have to actively work to make it happen.

While casually mentioning the need for remote work around the office might plant a seed, that seed won’t grow unless you water it.

Here are a few ways that I’ve found to be most effective when you’re looking for some change in your career:

• Email every higher-up to make it known to everyone with power why you’re looking to work from home
• Ask for their time to speak about this dedicated issue (without being pushy or bothersome, of course)
• Make sure that you’re doing impressive work so that they’re more likely to take your request seriously
• Build a case that would sway even the most staunch on-site supporters

The more you strategize, the more potential your plan has. 

#3. Start Out Flexibly

Compromise is the name of the game.

If you don’t ask for what you want, you’ll never get it.

However, if you aren’t willing to work with an employer, you could also prevent yourself from getting that work-from-home job or even losing your position altogether. 

It’s important to be flexible about your working arrangement. 

For example, let’s imagine that your employer is willing to let you work from home, but only part of the time.

This can still be advantageous for you.

You get to work at the office less, which is your goal.

Meanwhile, your employer still gets to have you on-site for whatever reasons they cite. 

If you get an offer that’s not quite what you want but is still progress, take it.

Otherwise, you run the risk of having to forego your dreams altogether.

It’s always best to take a deal where everyone feels like they won.

Who knows? They may even device to let you work from home full-time if they feel like it’s offering them greater benefits. 

#4. Cite the Benefits Your Employer Will Gain

Speaking of offering benefits, there are numerous benefits that employers can expect to receive when they decide to let their employees work from home. 

I’ve seen a ton of employers in the modern age stick to antiquated practices because it feels like it suits them.

When I ask them why they refuse to budge, they’re often afraid that they’re not going to be able to properly manage things and that their organization will fall apart. 

That’s when I present the facts. 

The reality is that employers have so much to gain from remote work.

Approximately 60 percent of those who have made the switch cite cost savings as the big benefit.

When your employees don’t have to be in the office, there are fewer office costs to deal with. 

Take my advice and have facts on hand to show your employer.

The facts may change their opinion. 

#5. Take a Pay Cut

There are a lot of costs associated with being in the office.

Here are just a few:

• Less business casual clothes
• Less gas for your car
• Less wear and tear on your car
• Fewer times eating lunch out

As such, working from home means that you have to spend less money to get to work and be at work.

Earning less is not the most desirable situation, but be willing to take a pay cut if your employer extends it.

Look at how much of a difference earning $30 an hour compared to $35 an hour.

Then see if the fewer expenses you have allows you to make it work.

Finally, keep this in mind: The primary benefit of working from home is being more productive.

If you can produce more results, you can then go in an negotiate a pay raise, and end up making more than you were if you didn’t take a pay cut.

#6. Try to Do a Trial Run

Employers may feel as though they have more to lose when they’re implementing something rather than if they’re just trying it out. 

Whenever I’ve asked an employer for something, I ask them to be willing to try to test it first. 

Why? 

I find that employers will take the chance because they have nothing to lose.

If it works for them, they’ll stick with it. If it doesn’t, they can always do things the way they’ve been doing so far. 

Ask them for a trial run to show them why it’d be better for you to work from home. 

#7. Discuss Why It’s Important for You to Do So

Some people may want to work from home.

Others may have legitimate reasons as to why they need to work from home. 

Are you someone with a disability?

Do you have children you need to care for and no childcare due to high costs or low availability?

Are you caring for a loved one who you can’t leave for an extended period of time? 

While we often make some employers out to be the bad guys, many are willing to work with you.

Explain your situation to them so you can get a more desirable working arrangement that helps you work with fewer issues. 

#8. Do Your Research to Combat Any Myths and Misconceptions

Working from home sounds great.

But there’s naturally some skepticism from everyone. 

When I first heard of remote work, I had the same concerns.

Would I be able to focus? Would I be able to get projects done? Am I going to be the best employee I can be without having to leave the house? 

There are a host of common myths and misconceptions that can be easy to buy into. 

Do your research so that you’re prepared for any response they have.

If they’re concerned about productivity, for example, show them that the Harvard Business Review found that remote employees are often more productive. 

It can take some time to combat misinformation, but it’s worth it if you want to reach your end goal. 

#9. Point Out That Your Skills Aren’t Needed in a Physical Setting

Certain jobs require you to be on-site.

For example, a construction worker can’t do what they need to do from home. 

But if you’re in a position like project management, there’s little need for you to be confined to an office. 

Tell your employer that you’re not needed in the office.

If you present your case compellingly and show them why your role is rarely in-office these days, you might be able to negotiate a remote job for yourself. 

#10. Get Others to Advocate for You

It’s very easy to say no to one employee.

It’s much harder to say no to an army of them. 

Try to get the rest of your workplace on your side.

Chances are that they feel the same as you and would appreciate a more flexible working arrangement.

If most of you are demanding change, your employer might seriously consider it in comparison to you just operating by yourself. 

#11. Address Current Workplace Culture Issues and How They Might Be Solved 

If I had a dollar for every story of workplace drama I’ve heard or every instance of workplace drama I’ve experienced firsthand, I wouldn’t have to worry about working from home!

Trust me when I say that workplace culture issues are extremely commonplace.

Plenty of people have issues when they’re working in close proximity to each other and interacting all day. 

If this is something your workplace is struggling with, bring it up to your employer.

Show them how remote work offers just enough interactivity without leaving as much room for issues between employees.

It might just help them craft an entirely new system for working moving forward. 

#12. Identify (Free) WFH Tools

I love tools, but I love free tools more. 

Your employer, like most, is probably focused on saving money to keep operational costs down. 

So, show them that they can do exactly that. 

There are plenty of free remote work tools that cost your employer nothing.

They’re happy that they get to save money, and you’re happy that you get to work from the comfort of your home.

#13. Highlight Other Successful Companies Who Let Employees Work From Home

Your employer will not be the first one to let their employees work from home.

However, that doesn’t that they’ll be keen to have a WFH workforce. 

One piece of advice I have for you is to find examples of successful companies that have a WFH model. 

If they see that other companies are thriving, they may consider allowing you to work from home as they could achieve that level of success as well. 

#14. Showcase How It Works

The concept of remote work isn’t confusing. That being said, the logistics often are. 

If you’re approaching your employer about working from home, make sure to have a guide on how the situation would actually work. 

Show them how you would communicate with your coworkers, how projects would be tracked, what troubleshooting would look like, and any other concerns they may have. 

You may even be trusted with implementing the system for them so that things go more smoothly as they transition over to a remote work model or even a hybrid model. 

#15. Make Yourself a Valuable Asset to Gain More Freedom and Flexibility

The one concern you should have is falling behind when you start working from home or even being replaced. 

Make yourself a valuable asset and continue to upskill once you successfully negotiate a remote work contract.

You want to prove that your idea is valuable and ensure that your employer doesn’t try to further cut costs by outsourcing work to employees who are cheaper than you.