How to ask your employer for permanent remote work

Is the daily hustle and bustle of going through traffic to get to work no longer appealing? Perhaps your current work environment affects your mental health, and you need a change. If that's you, you're probably considering remote work but don't know how to ask your boss to work remotely permanently. It might surprise you that asking for permanent work-from-home jobs may be simpler than you think. Many employers are considering adopting a hybrid or fully remote work culture.

Employing remote staff is cheaper, and since employers are always looking to reduce costs, you have a good chance of getting the go-ahead. Learn how to ask for remote work and get a swift, positive response from your employer through this guide.

Tips to help ask your employer for full-time remote work

To learn how to request for permanent work-from-home approval from your boss, you may find these strategies helpful:

Initiate conversations about why you want remote work

Your employers are only human, they can't read minds. If you want something, you have to talk about it. Ask your superior for a meeting when they are less busy. When you finally get their attention, this is a good time to initiate conversation and let them know you would be more productive working remotely. Be patient and listen to your employer during this talk.

Specify the difference between remote work situations and in-office workers

When you initiate a conversation with your employer, prove that you understand the implications of your request. After stating your intentions, give them a breakdown of the differences between an in-office and remote work arrangement. This makes the employer understand that you have researched the subject.

Use examples of the COVID-19 pandemic era to support your case

To learn how to ask for remote workdays, research facts to prove that remote hiring works. There's no better example than the COVID-19 pandemic era. During this period, most employees could only work from home, and they were productive regardless. In one study, 64% claimed that working remotely helped them establish a work-life balance post-pandemic. Use examples from studies to show what makes remote work successful.

Mention that your productivity will not be affected

Most employers will allow staff to work remotely if they are sure the workers will remain productive. Convince your employer that working remotely won't reduce your productivity. You can assure them that your productivity will likely improve if you work from home. For example, being around your kids may bring out the best in you. Share reasons why working from home will make you more productive.

Submit your request in an in-person meeting

When making official requests of this magnitude, it is advisable to meet the employer in person rather than sending emails. It helps you explain why you need to work remotely more efficiently. Showing up in person also demonstrates that you are serious about your requests. Although your reasons would be in a formal document, an in-person meeting can help you appeal to the employer's emotions.

Explain your remote work plan and the tools you will be using

You may need to convince your employer that you can handle the demands of working remotely. Mention your remote schedule, explaining how you would plan your typical workday. You may also list the tools you would be using for work. Show that you already have most tools ready and prepared a conducive workspace.  

Time your remote work request well

Before you meet with your superiors, make sure the timing is right. Even if you have good intentions, bad timing could ruin your hopes. Study the employer's mood and know the company's current situation. If your employer is having a good month or the company is making huge sales, it is a good time to make requests. When your employer is in a positive mood, your chances of getting a favorable response increase.

Start with a trial basis

End the conversation by asking your employer to approve your request for part-time remote work. That way, they can assess your performance. This gives them time to decide if allowing you to work remotely on a permanent basis is a good idea. If granted, ensure to make the best use of this opportunity. They will likely allow you to work remotely if you excel during the trial period. Your success can open doors of opportunity for your colleagues who also want to work remotely.  

How to find a remote job

Most companies post vacancies online. However, finding remote jobs can be tricky. If you need help finding remote work in any part of the world, follow these tips:

Browse online job postings

There are many websites for finding job vacancies. Many of the jobs you would find on these platforms are fully remote.

Some websites focus on posting remote jobs from small and large organizations. On these websites, you can also find remote jobs locally or in almost any country. To find personalized jobs, you may need to localize your search. You can choose the salary range, country or city, and mode of application that suits you.

Talk with people who currently work remotely

You need reliable information to find some of the best places to work remotely. Although you can get almost any information online, it pays to talk to an actual person. One of the easiest ways to get this information is by asking someone who currently works remotely. Remote employees can tell you from experience what working remotely entails and what you should expect.

They also help you clarify some notions and set realistic expectations. Talking to remote employees can help you discover the best places to find jobs. These individuals can tell you where exactly they looked for remote work opportunities. If you are lucky, there could be an open spot where they currently work.

Ask your superior for a change

Perhaps the easiest place to find remote work is where you currently work. Hybrid offices where employees can work partially from home and in the office on other days are common. Not only that, many companies now operate fully remotely. In the United States, about 16% of businesses are fully remote.

So ask your superior if working remotely is an option at your current place of employment. Even if your company doesn't operate remotely, they might consider adopting a remote work policy. You may have to convince your employer that you can perform expertly with little supervision.

How to prepare yourself for work from home

Working remotely can be rewarding or overwhelming, depending on how you approach it. These tips will help you prepare for a remote work lifestyle:

Prepare to work harder

A productive remote working experience begins with having the right mindset. More people are starting to prefer remote work, which means more job competition. There are also many freelancers with higher qualifications and more experience vying for the same role. Prepare to work harder than the average person to land a remote job or retain your remote position. 

Working remotely is similar to starting a business. You have the freedom to set your working hours. However, like new business owners, you juggle multiple balls to steady the ship. Often, remote workers provide their working tools, earn per project, and have strict deadlines. To earn more, deliver high-quality products, and have time for your personal needs, you need to work harder than usual.

Learn some discipline

Distraction comes in various forms, and it takes discipline to overcome it. Having a successful remote career takes discipline. Discipline yourself to wake up early. Train yourself to sleep, eat, communicate, and end the day's work when you should. Discipline helps you focus better, avoid procrastination, think rationally, and improve your skills. Set up a dedicated workspace. Although you can work virtually anywhere, having a workspace is the better option.

Be less available

Perhaps the biggest obstacle to productivity while working remotely is distractions. You can avoid this by being less available to friends, family, and the internet. Make sure people can only reach you when you finish the day's work or are on a break.

When preparing for work-from-home jobs, you must change your gadgets' configurations. You can set your phone to silent mode so you are unaware of incoming calls. You may keep your phone out of reach to discourage yourself from reaching for it. Stay away from social media during your set work hours. 

Application "freezers" can help avoid distractions. These are mobile applications that enable you to hide applications on your phone. By "freezing" your social media apps, you won't see messages or hear your phone beep when you receive notifications.

Explain your new working conditions to friends and family

Many remote employees work for long hours. However, there's a misconception that remote employees work just a few hours on their beds. Thus, you may struggle for privacy and etiquette, especially if you don't live alone. This is a common problem in the early stages of remote work.

You may need to address your close friends and family members, explaining the gravity of your work. Let them know your working hours. You may also ask them to maintain silence when you work. With this information, they know when not to call or seek your company unless there is an emergency.  

Plan your schedule

One of the keys to being your most productive self while working remotely is planning. Proper planning helps you avoid distractions and gives you a sense of direction. The previous night is the best time to plan for the next day's work. Ensure you plan for the next day before it starts. Plan the next day's tasks in order of importance or closeness to deadlines.

You may also prepare your workspace beforehand. If you can, clean your house and make sure your food, vitamins, and clothes are ready. This enables you to go straight to work once you wake up and complete your brief morning exercises.

Take short breaks

Some may find remote work more enjoyable than they thought. This may result in working overly long hours. Learn to take breaks. You may take a 30-minute break every four hours to nourish yourself. Your brain needs oxygen and proper hydration to function at its peak. Good nutrition and hydration help the body and move oxygen to the brain.

Besides taking a lunch break, you may also choose to sleep for a few minutes. It relaxes your brain and refreshes you. Finally, take short walks. Walking helps you stretch your limbs and exercise your muscles. Stretching and moving your joints also help improve blood flow throughout your body.   

Learn to communicate better

Working remotely can be surprisingly challenging. You report daily tasks to your superiors or clients in a remote setting. You also wait to receive feedback from them concerning your projects. They usually allow a timeframe during which they expect you to complete tasks.

There may be days you cannot complete tasks before the deadline due to personal reasons, some beyond your control. It is advisable to communicate this as soon as possible. You may also encounter certain challenges while working on complex assignments. Learn to communicate these issues on time. It makes you appear professional and accountable and shows that you're willing to work expertly.

There's no time like the present to go remote

If you're still on the fence on working remotely, there's never been a better time to start. Since many organizations are going remote, your employer is probably considering it too. All you need is to ask them for permanent remote work.

Companies no longer need to worry about figuring out every step before hiring and managing workers remotely. Partnering with a global hiring platform like Remote makes it easy for small businesses to hire people remotely. We can also help you hire, disburse payments to your staff, and make sure you operate following the law. Choose Remote and join the countless successful modern businesses going fully remote.

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