Regardless of where you are along your employment journey, inquiring about working remotely requires you to be clear and professional in your request. This comprehensive guide can help you in your approach.
Some companies have made it mandatory for employees work primarily from the office which leaves many people wondering if it's even worth asking about working remotely. The truth is, it never hurts to ask, especially if having the flexibility is important to you. Your request should be adapted based on your current status within the organization.
During the Interview Process
Be proud of yourself for being as up front as possible but remember, you technically do not have the job yet. If flexible work is a dealbreaker for you then it's better to bring the topic up sooner rather than later. Of course, a lot of it will depend on the type of role you applied for and if it was advertised as on-site, remote, or hybrid. Here are some examples of how to phrase your request.
- Initial Interview:
o When asked if you have any additional questions: "Could you please tell me about the company's policies regarding remote or hybrid work?"
o "Is this position open to a remote or hybrid work model?"
- Follow-up Interview:
o "How does the team manage collaboration and engagement for remote employees?"
o "What tools and resources does the company provide for remote workers?"
When Negotiating a Job Offer
o "I’m excited about this opportunity and would like to discuss the possibility of working remotely. Is this something the company would consider?"
o "Can we discuss the flexibility of working from home for this role?"
During Onboarding
This is s a critical moment since you haven't quite established a routine or a reputation at the new job, so the jury is still out on you. If you're on a probationary period or under a conditional offer of employment, you might consider waiting until your status becomes permanent before requesting to work remotely.
Actively Employed
- Formal Request:
o With your manager or designated contact: "I would like to discuss the possibility of transitioning to a remote work arrangement. Can we set up a meeting to talk about this in more detail?"
o " I am interested in exploring the option of working remotely. How can we move forward with this discussion?"
- Informal Inquiry:
o "I’m interested in reducing the number of days where I commute to the office. Can we discuss the potential for our team to adopt a work-from-home policy?"
Conclusion
Many organizations are adopting flexible work-from-home policies so hopefully your company is as well. While it never hurts to ask, always consider the possibility of your request being denied. Regardless of the outcome, be sure to remain professional and adjust your approach based on your unique situation.
