By Kelly Land
Reprinted: 2003-10-27

Before approaching your supervisor, do your homework. Keep a log of what you do on your job for 2 weeks. Divide the tasks into 3 columns: work that can be done at the alternative work site (usually home), work that can only be done at the office, and work that could be done either on or off-site. If the tasks in the 'alternative work site' comes up short, you need to re-think telecommuting. If it is fairly long, you may have a good case for telecommuting.

* Consider your department's needs and concerns your supervisor might have about telecommuting. How is telecommuting going to make his/her job easier/better, meet the department's needs, enhance productivity, impact costs, etc.? These questions need to be answered before you approach your supervisor.

* Figure out in advance as many technical details as possible. What equipment would you need, what would it cost, is it compatible with your alternative work space?

* If you plan on using your own equipment, what expectations do you have from your supervisor regarding reimbursement for it's use/repairs and for other costs relating to telecommuting?

* What type of schedule are you seeking? How will you arrange for supervision, what will be your "core hours" in the office? How will you work to stay "connected" with other team members at the office?

* What does your alternative office site look like in terms of safety and efficiency? * If dependent care is needed, what plans do you have to ensure that telecommuting does not look like a substitute for child or elder care?

* If you have answered all of the above questions to your satisfaction, fill out a Proposal for Telecommuting (see sample) and request a meeting with your supervisor.

* If your request is denied, find out precisely what your supervisor's concerns are to see if you can do anything else to make telecommuting a reality. If the answer is still "No," remember that telecommuting is a supervisory option and not an employee benefit or right. You need to accept the answer as "No" or consider looking for another job that is more appropriate for telecommuting.

Here is a sample telecommuting proposal you can present to your boss.

Date:

Employee's Name:

Supervisor's Name:

I, ___________(Name)___________________________, am requesting to telecommute
with my job as ____________(JobTitle)__________________, beginning on
_______(Date)____________. Potential impact of my telecommuting on my department
may include the following (e.g. impact on operations/work flow, potential
advantages, potential disadvantages): _________________________________. The
schedule I would desire for telecommuting is:
_______________________________________________ My alternative work site would
be: _______________________________________________ A description of this
alternative work site is: _____________________________________________ (eg. a
spare bedroom with door away from most family activity that is well ventilated,
has good lighting, many electrical outlets, phone jack, etc.) Equipment I would
need from this department would include:
______________________________________________. Equipment I already own and am
willing to use includes: _______________________________________________ .My
expectations from the department to support me in telecommuting are:
______________________________________________ (e.g. provide 486 PC, fax, modem,
telephone line, pay for insurance on equipment). My expectations for supervision
are: _______________________________ (e.g. frequency, how work would be
reviewed). Check one: ______ I do not have dependent care needs ______ I do have
dependent care needs that are met as follows:
__________________________________________________ I would like to review my
telecommuting agreement in _______ months to determine its effectiveness on my
job performance. Thank you for your consideration.
______________________________________

Employee Name

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