If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you may remember that last year my work asked if I wanted to work from home full-time and I jumped at the opportunity. I filled out the required forms and whatnot but then it all got caught up in redtape and budgets and I ended up not getting to do it. At the time, they said it was only a matter of time, but by early this year it was looking more like it would never happen.
A few weeks ago, our director came in to town for a quarterly meeting and I got up the nerve to make a meeting request for a 1 on 1 session with her to talk about my future but also to inquire about working from home.
Long story short, I went in to the meeting and asked about working from home. While I don’t get to do it full-time, she agreed that I could work from home one day a week and if after a couple of months it is going well, I can move up to two days a week.
It’s not exactly my dream scenario, but it’s better than nothing! I now work from home every Tuesday. This is my second week doing it and I can’t tell you enough about how much I love it. Love love love. Sometimes you just have to ask for what you want…the worst she could have said is no. It’s a good reminder every once in a while.
On the financial side, think of all the gas money I will save, as well as the reduced wear and tear on my car. And oh, not to mention the 1.5 hours of my life I get back that I’m not commuting on Tuesdays!
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Congratulations on negotiating the day at home – sounds like a really good deal. Hope they let you add a day or two soon.
That’s awesome! It pays to ask, and you’re right the worst that could happen is they say no and things stay the same. Do you find yourself distracted at home? Lonely without coworkers around? Is Bird at home with you or just you? Do you get more or less done than you would at work? I’m curious because I have the option of working from home occasionally if I need to at my new job.
Hey MPP, I think working at home is awesome. I’ve written before about how I don’t really have friends at work, so I don’t really miss my coworkers. I actually think I get more work done because I’m happier and more comfortable and sometimes I work more because I can log on earlier and log off later since I’m not dealing with the commute. Bird is off at work and we don’t have any pets or anything…so it’s just me…me and my music. So nice to turn the stereo up instead of wearing headphones in the office. And instead of taking a break and walking around the building or surfing the net, I am taking a break and doing laundry or loading the dishwasher. It’s really a productive environment and I love it.
Though it might not be for everyone. Bird thinks she would go nuts, but she really enjoys her coworkers and office environment. To each their own. Let me know what you think if you ever try it out.
Congrats on your negotiation! I used to work from home 2 weeks out of the month and there were some things I loved about it. Working in sweats and saving money on gas and travel time. But I did miss the work community and found myself eager to get out of the house for happy hour or other post work events. But it sounds like your not to worried about it. Hope you get to have more days at home soon.
I’m SO jealous!