HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many workers out of the office and into their homes, and they found out that they like it that way.
A recent survey done by FlexJobs of more than 4,000 remote workers found:
- 91% responded that they are at least as productive or more productive at home
- 73% reported a better work-life balance
- 96% want to continue to work at home either full-time or part of the workweek
If you are among the group that wants to keep working from home post-pandemic, you need to start the conversation with your boss now.
Brie Reynolds of Flex Jobs says once you've identified the gatekeeper, email a sales pitch on why telecommuting is a win-win for you and the company. In your pitch, show how you've been more productive, efficient, and better able to focus.
Melissa Smith described the transition to remote work as life-changing.
"There was this level freedom and flexibility that I had never known existed," she said.
Smith worked as an executive assistant for most of her career, but when her husband died, she needed to be there for her son and daughter.
"I went and gave my two weeks' notice, and my boss says, 'We don't want to lose you. How can we keep you?' Immediately I said I can do most of what I do remotely," she said.
When you make your pitch avoid discussing all the personal benefits of remote work, and don't leave out how your working from home benefits everyone on the team.
"You want to focus on any achievements you've had or really good results you've had because you've been working remotely," Reynolds advised.
Make sure your pitch email includes a request for a meeting to discuss details.
In Smith's case, she parlayed her remote job into a business that assists companies with hiring and training virtual assistants.
If you are looking for a remote position, use keywords like "work from home," "flexible schedule," and "virtual" when searching sites like Linkedin and Monster.
Subscribers to FlexJobs can search thousands of remote work job listings for about $15 a month.
