How to Request for Work from Home: Tips, Templates, and Samples

Remote work has seen a rising trend as most employees are requesting work-from-home due to the obvious benefits like increased flexibility in schedules, improved work-life balance, higher productivity, cost savings, and others. Companies have also embraced this trend and allowed people to work from anywhere with an internet connection, provided they make a professional request.

This guide details everything you must know to request work-from-home arrangements professionally. It also shares a few email templates you can use in various situations to convince your manager to accept your request.

Part 1: Why Request Work from Home?

Employees can request to work from home as there are fewer distractions, which allows them to think creatively and deliver better results. Other than that, the following can be the reasons:

• Better Work-life Balance: Remote work allows employees to create a healthy balance between work and personal life by combining the two. It makes them feel happier, more confident, trust their employers, and generally be more productive.
• Health and Safety Concerns: One can request to work from home for health and safety reasons. It can be justified by concerns like a pre-existing medical condition or a current illness that makes you more vulnerable to workplace hazards, especially during a pandemic, a need to manage health, or an unsuitable work environment.
• Personal Reasons: When managing certain personal situations, such as healthcare concerns, family emergencies, mental health needs, home renovation, or others, employees might not be able to be physically present at the office. They can cite “personal reasons” to justify working from home in such situations.

Part 2: How to Request Work from Home

Your request for work from home will not be accepted if you pass it on to your manager or send an email. It’s crucial to schedule a meeting with them, pitch your reasons, highlight your past productivity, and outline how this arrangement could benefit the company.

Are You Suitable for Remote Work?

Before you proceed to place the request for remote work, it’s crucial to gauge your suitability for it. While proper communication and the right work ethic are crucial for remote work success, you must also have the tools to boost your overall productivity. To evaluate your living situation and work style, begin with a few basic questions, such as:

• Do you have a dedicated workspace conducive to focused work?
• Is your internet connection reliable?
• Are you disciplined and thrive better in a distraction-free environment?
• Do you prefer in-person collaboration sessions or work better over remote calls?

If the answers to all of the above questions are yes and you perform better when working independently, you might be a suitable candidate for remote work arrangement.

Ask to Work from Home

As you’re sure about your credibility to work from home and ready to present your case before the manager, the question is delivery: whether in person or via email. Both methods have pros and cons, and the best choice depends on the situation, your confidence, and your relationship with the manager.

An in-person meeting fosters more personal interaction and is beneficial when building rapport with the manager. You can display genuine enthusiasm to work in remote settings through clear communication and body language. It also allows for a two-way dialogue so you can address your manager's concerns regarding your work arrangement.

On the other hand, an email request is great for outlining the key points of your request, keeping a documented record, and being a convenient form of conversation in busy schedules. Ultimately, the best approach depends on the circumstances and how well you execute it.

Part 3: What to Include in Your Request

Whether going in person or sending an email request for work-from-home, you must cite specific points such as the reason for the request, proposed schedule, productivity plan, communication strategy, etc. These are detailed as follows:

• Reason for Request: In your request pitch, clearly state the reason why you want to work from home, such as improved productivity, health reasons, or work-life balance.
• Proposed Schedule: Outline your desired work days and hours when operating in a remote work setting. Don’t try to suggest a schedule that’s completely wayward from the office work hours, or the chances are that your proposal gets rejected straight away.
• Communication Strategy: Mention how you plan to communicate with your team and manager, including the tools used for the purpose. For example, you’ll regularly get updates from team members through communication channels like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.
• Productivity Plan: Describe in detail the ways you’ll partake in managing your schedule effectively and delivering your tasks by the deadline.
• Benefits to the company: You must ensure how your working-from-home arrangement could benefit the company, such as better deliverables, reduced overhead costs, and others.
• Technological Capabilities: You must confirm that your internet connection is stable and that you have the right tools to work at a similar level to when you were physically present in the workspace.

Part 4: Work from Home Email Templates

Now that you know what needs to be included, here are a few work-from-home request email samples:

Sample 1: General Request

Sample 2: Health Concerns

Sample 3:  Childcare Responsibilities

Sample 4:  Commuting Challenges

Sample 5: Improved Work-Life Balance

Sample 6: Trial Period Request

Part 5: Tips for Writing an Effective Work-from-Home Request

When making a work-from-home request to your employer, it’s essential to be polite, keep your email concise, mention the dates, and be honest. Following are the best tips for writing a compelling email:

Part 6: How to Monitor Remote Workers Efficiency?

Monitoring remote workers' efficiency requires a balanced approach that ensures productivity while respecting employees' privacy and autonomy. Here are some effective methods to monitor and enhance remote worker efficiency:

Use Computer Monitoring Tools

Tools like FamiGuard Monisen (ideal for monitoring computer activity), Time Doctor, or ActivTrak allow you to track keystrokes, web usage, and app activity, providing detailed insights into how remote employees spend their work hours.

An Array of Amazing Features of FamiGuard Monisen

• Track laptop or company computer's location in real-time to know where your remote working employee goes.
• Check remote workers' live screen to know what they are doing daily.
• Automatically take screenshots of the target device to give you a brief view.
• Detailed screen time report shows the usage of computer daily and weekly.

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Set Clear Goals and KPIs

Setting clear, measurable goals or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) ensures that remote workers understand what is expected of them. This might include deadlines, output quality, or other performance metrics. Monitoring these KPIs can give a direct measure of an employee's efficiency.

Regular Check-Ins and Communication

Regular check-ins via video calls or messaging platforms help managers stay connected with their teams. These meetings allow managers to gauge progress, provide feedback, and address challenges workers may face, all of which contribute to better performance.

FAQ about Asking for Working at Home

1. How do you politely ask for work from home?

To politely ask for work from home, approach your boss with a clear, respectful request. Explain your reasons for wanting to work remotely, highlight how it will not affect your productivity, and propose a plan for how you will stay connected and maintain performance.

2. How to write a request for work from home?

To write a request for work from home, start with a professional greeting and explain your reason for the request. Be specific about your plan, detailing how you will stay productive and communicate with the team. Mention any successful remote work experience you have, and close with a polite request for approval.

3. How can I tell my boss I want to work from home?

To tell your boss you want to work from home, schedule a meeting or send a well-thought-out email. Be direct but courteous, and explain the benefits of remote work, such as improved focus or flexibility. Back it up with data if possible, and reassure them about your productivity.

4. How do you say you want to work from home?

You can say you want to work from home by being straightforward yet professional. For example: "I’d like to discuss the possibility of working from home. I believe it will allow me to stay productive while providing flexibility. I am open to discussing how this can work best for our team."

5. How do you kindly allow me to do work from home?

When asking kindly, you can say: "Would it be possible for me to work from home on [specific days/reasons]? I believe this arrangement can improve my work-life balance without compromising my efficiency. I would appreciate your understanding and consideration."

Conclusion

If you intend on requesting to work from home, the steps and tips shared in the article ensure the best results. Use a clear and straightforward approach to make professional requests about the work arrangement. Even in a remote working environment, a manager can use the FamiGuard Monisen app to ensure their employees work at a standard productivity level. It offers a range of features such as watching live computer screens, clicking screenshots, monitoring activities, and others to become a handy tool.

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