wokring from home help...

[0400772]

Hey everyone

Hope someone can help me.

Im currently working full time in an office. I am supposed to work 37.5 hours a day but im currently working 41 hours due to lift sharing.

I live an hour and half away from work so traveling 3 hours a day. Very tiring!

I have a 2.5 year old daughter and as you can imagine im barely getting to see her.

I want to approach my boss about working from home for two days a week. But not sure how to approach this .

I don’t want to blame travelling as its my own fault for choosing a job so far aware (although not much choice nowadays).

Im the only earner in our family as my partner is in further education so I can’t just reduce my hours.

I want to be able to work from home two days, doing the same amount of hours but giving the flexibility of being able to take my daughter to childcare as at the moment we have no one. Childcare start at 9.15 but my partner starts at 9 am!

What is the best way to approach my employer. And how can I word it effectively so it doesn’t just sound like I want to skive at home!

 

[seoj]

I think you have very valid reasons- if WFH is an option within your company, they there shouldn't be a reason you can't get approval from your direct manager. I work from home on Fridays. But usually, there has to be a "wave" (what they call them) at work where they allow a certain # of people the opportunity to apply to WFH- but only a set #. The managers though, do have the authority to allow WFH to a specific employee (with reason) 1-2 days a week. My reason, tbh, was that I wanted the flexibility in my work schedule- I live 15mins away, so it wasn't commute- but I wanted the option - so I put it in writing and emailed my manager and it was approved.

I'm sure each company varies- but what harm can it be to ask. I'd ask in person- but at the time, my manager worked remotely (another state)- so I had to ask via email or over the phone. But when I changed positions and got a new manager- I made it clear I wanted to keep my WFH option and it was also approved

Maybe set up a meeting with your manager to discuss- just say you were wanting to know if WFH a couple days would be an option. That the commute is long and it would make more sense for you with work/life balance. Then send a followup email after to highlight your discussion and go from there

Best of luck!