With an increase in remote work opportunities, are you trying to escape the confines of the office?
Some professionals are looking for valid justifications to work from home. It is no surprise remote conditions are preferred – they are associated not only with increased productivity, but an improved work-life balance as well. But before anything the excuses to work from home must be justified with valid reasons.
In the era of fast-paced work, simple justifications to work from home are important. Having the right justifications for long commutes or the need to tend to an ill family member is important.
Key Takeaways
- Recognizing the reason to work from home – productivity and work-life balance.
- Strategically defend justifications to management.
- Key techniques to be effective at remote work.
- Recognize the counterproductive reasons for work from home and create strategies to work around them.
- Understanding the reasons that can help build remote work and work towards them.
Why Understanding Legitimate Remote Work Reasons Is Important
With more people working remotely, focusing on why someone might be working remotely is necessary for success. This means being able to work from home as a telecommuter is a critical part of a role for many people.
The Development of Work-From-Home Attitudes
The many attitudes towards work from home has seen its share of evolution, as over the years there has been a valuable shift. What was once a perk of the job, is now the normative expectation for many workers. Remote jobs are no longer the exception, as the use of job interchangeable with in office work is being phased out.
Understanding Your Company’s Remote Work Policy
Before asking if you can work from home, be sure you understand the remote work policies in place at your organization so that excuses to work from home are justified. This will help you understand the boundaries and expectations involved to aid in a positive shift.
| Policy Aspect | Description | Importance |
| Eligibility | Who is eligible to work from home | High |
| Procedure | Steps to request remote work | High |
| Expectations | Productivity and task requirements | Medium |
When Is Honesty Is (and Isn’t) the Best Policy
While there are situations where honesty is the preferable outcome, there are situations where a more complex answer is best. Knowing where to be open, and where to give a plausible excuse is important.
Most Believable Work at Home Requests Managers Accept
Successfully working from home revolves around justifying the appropriateness of the request. This balance helps build management trust while ensuring no productivity loss.
Waiting for Deliveries and Home Services Appointments
Waiting for home delivery, or a home service appointment can be a legitimate reason for working from home. Most deliveries and utility service appointments come with specific time windows, so it can be hard to leave the office.
Recovery Time for Minor Health Issues
Working from home can be justified for health related issues, particularly those of a minor nature, during peak illness seasons, such as a cold or flu. Working remotely during such times allows for health recuperation while avoiding the workplace infection risks.
Family and Dependent Care
Family and dependent care responsibilities are few of the excuses to work from home as these are significant. Working from home can provide the flexibility needed to fulfill these obligations without negatively affecting remote work responsibilities.
Project Deadlines that Require Focus
For work projects that need a high degree of concentration, working remotely can be valuable. It helps to minimize distractions from colleagues at the office, thereby improving productivity and time management, which are essential for meeting deadlines.
Weather Conditions and Transportation Issues
Commutes may become difficult due to bad weather or transport problems. In these situations, working from home removes the risks of traveling and burning time. Your work will carry on as scheduled.
Successfully Making a Case for Remote Work
For a successful work-from-home request, it is crucial to know the company’s policy on remote work and put together a clear work-from-home justification. The overall structure of the request really matters.
When to Ask for Remote Work
Be strategic as to when to request remote work. Consider the most complex and stressful projects the company is working on. Do not request remote work when things are really busy, stressful, or critical. Request work-from-home privileges/remote work arrangements when things are less busy or after a notable achievement.
Explaining Your Proposed Remote Work Solution
Demonstrating how you will keep or even boost productivity is essential to justify a work-from-home request. Outline a plan with targets you hope to achieve, a work schedule, and how you will communicate with the team to describe your effort to maintain productivity. Bridging strategies such as scheduled meetings or updates will demonstrate productivity to your manager, as well as the rest of your team.
What Not to Say When Asking for Remote Work
When requesting to work from home, you should balance what you shouldn’t say as much as what to say. Do not demand things and avoid whining about the office. Do not focus on the negative aspects of your current work environment as excuses to work from home. Instead, cite your personal and work-related reasons for requesting a remote work. Make sure you provide the positive reasons while anticipating counterarguments from your manager.
| Common Mistakes | Better Approach |
| Focusing on the complaint | Concentrate on the productivity aspects |
| Making ultimatums | Provide tradeoffs and be more flexible |
| Ignoring issues completely | Prepare for the issues discussion |
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” Walt Disney
Conclusion
Having believable and reasonable excuses to work from home can help improve your productivity and balance your work and personal life. Some of the reasons for remote work can be home service appointments, mild health issues, family care responsibilities, and bad weather.
Knowledge of your company’s remote work policies and how you want to present your case to your employer can help you reduce the commute and gain more flexible work hours. Thus, the balance of communication should always be in your favor to arrange working from home.
Flexible work options can foster enhanced job satisfaction and optimal time management. With the right rationale for telecommuting, planning and communicating with your superior can alleviate some of the burdens of remote work.
FAQ
What is a justified reason for telecommuting?
Justifiable reasons can be home service appointments, minor health issues, family care responsibilities, deadlines for projects that require deep concentration, and hazardous weather and commuting conditions.
How should I communicate the desire to work from home because of a minor health issue?
You should communicate your condition honestly and mention that you are not contagious and that you can work from home productively. Also, include a work plan that you’ll follow while at home and any required documentation.
Can I work from home to take care of my family?
Yes, care for family is recognized by most organizations. You will need to communicate your care responsibilities, your work plan during that time, and how you will juggle work with your family care responsibilities.
How can I ask my manager about working remotely?
When preparing your case, pay attention to your manager’s schedule to determine optimal times. Explain your working-from-home productivity strategy. There is no need to mention any downsides to the office.
How can I frame my remote work request more positively?
There is no need to vent about any office dynamics because your goal is to make an argument from the company’s perspective.
How can I ensure my manager has no qualms about my level of productivity while I work from home?
Design a specific remote work schedule, layout a work plan, and eliminate distractions. Your manager needs to know how and when to contact you.
Is there anything else I should know about the remote work request?
Yes, make sure you know your company’s policies about working remotely such as how much notice you must provide, your expected productivity, and any policies you must follow regarding the confidentiality of information when you work from home.
