Listen to their concerns

Remember that it is natural your boss will flag concerns. It’s a good idea to consider what these may be in advance and prepare your response, so that you don’t feel blindsided. For example, your boss may worry that they will find it hard to monitor output while you’re out of the office. Suggest working from home on a trial basis, with regular catch-ups, to ensure you are meeting fear that if they allow you to work remotely, they will have to make the same allowance for all members of staff.

Or, if they fear that allowing you to work from home will mean they have to do the same for everyone else, remind them of the benefits of flexible working: happier employees, increased productivity, higher staff retention. Suggest that they – depending on the results of your trial – offer flexible working more widely as a perk to help employees feel happier and be more productive (and remind them that all requests should – as stated on the Gov.uk website – be considered on an individual basis, and handled in a reasonable manner).

Prepare for disappointment

It’s natural to be disappointed – but don’t allow your manager’s initial reaction to dissuade you just yet. Remember, negotiation is always uncomfortable and, if you don’t get what you want this time around, it should be treated as an ongoing conversation with your boss. And, if working from home is really important to you, it may be worth considering the fact that this company’s culture isn’t right for you. Keep an eye on LinkedIn for remote working opportunities, and you may find a company that proves a better fit.

Working from home: how to persuade your boss to let you work remotely