In 2001, I worked in Human Resources for an emerging dot-com that pioneered pay-for-performance search. Most of the stories you’ve heard about working for a dot-com are true, at least in my experience. No one had offices. Our desks were made of two file cabinets with a wood door thrown on top. Employees vetted around the office on scooters. Spontaneous Nerf wars were the norm and employees were like family. We worked hard. We played harder – all to build an amazing company that is now a division of Yahoo!.
When I started the job, I didn’t mind the hours. After all, the office was less than five miles from our home and work was fun – a welcome departure from my previous job at an accounting software development company (z-z-z-z-z-z). But all that changed when I became a mom.
During my pregnancy, I didn’t give much thought to how I’d fit my new role as a mother into my work life. I figured I’d just make it happen, like I had done all my life. I was ambitious and head-strong with an I-can-do-anything attitude. But during my eight-week maternity leave, I was overcome with the dread of returning to work full-time. I loved my work. I loved where I worked. I just didn’t want to put in 50-60 hours of “face time” at the expense of my new family (and our bank account – childcare was going to cost more than $1,000/month for a full-time infant).
That’s when I embarked on a mission to change the way my work to fit into my life.
First, I brainstormed my options that included: quit my job altogether, start a home-based business, or ask my boss if I could telecommute, even just a couple times a week. Oddly, losing half our family income and risking our life savings to start a business was more enticing than asking my boss for a change in my work. The usual objections came to mind:
- My employer didn’t have a telecommuting policy (heck, they didn’t really have a maternity leave policy until I got pregnant!);
- The corporate culture placed a high value on “face time;”
- I didn’t even know where to begin with my request.
I began researching ways to change my work and ran into the WorkOptions Web site. Jackpot! I downloaded a telecommuting proposal template and got to work customizing it for my situation.
A few weeks before my maternity leave ended, I presented a comprehensive proposal to my boss where I requested a part-time work schedule in the first four weeks of my return to work. This would then revert to a full-time schedule with two days working from home and we would revisit the arrangements after 90 days to determine whether to continue it, revise it or terminate it. I addressed the business case for my request and focused on what they would gain by accepting my proposal. After one or two rounds of negotiations, my request was approved!
Since then, I’ve become a huge advocate of WorkOptions and Pat Katepoo’s (the founder) approach to negotiating a work schedule that fits your life. That’s why I’m excited to share with you her new Telecommute Now! teleseminar. Here are the details:
Telecommute Now!
How to Get a YES to Your Request to Work From Home
A Live Teleseminar Presented by Pat Katepoo of WorkOptions
Thursday, July 30, 2009
3:00 to 3:45 pm Eastern
(2 pm Central, 1 pm Mountain, noon Pacific)
Updated 8-10-09: The teleseminar is now closed; however, you can learn more about WorkOptions at www.workoptions.com and download Pat’s “freebies.”
Note: Just by way of full disclosure, the links to the WorkOptions Web site are affiliate links. There’s no shame in ‘em! And you should know that my review of WorkOptions is based on my real-life experience with Pat and her proposal templates. I love them (and her!) and have recommended them since I first downloaded her templates in 2001. You’d be missing out if you didn’t attend her teleseminar – period.
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I used WorkOptions too when I built up the nerve to request a part-time schdule back when I was in private practice. My proposal was approved and I was able to work 3 days a week. Now that I am in the public sector full-time and with 3 kids, my work needs have changed yet again. I recently asked to telecommute one day a week in accordance with our office policies. I would like to ask for a second day (or a day off) but don’t want to rock the boat. I think I may need to soo though, I’m getting worn out!