How to approach boss about WAH

Everything I do at my job is digital, occasionally I will have to putsch in and do some other work, but it's rare. I am now 7 weeks pregnant with my 3rd and when I tell my boss, I wanted to approach him about working at home. I am just not sure how to word it without me fumbling. When I get nervous I start rambling. Any advice from anyone that has done this??

When we had the hurricane, he mentioned he wanted to start experimenting with people working from home, so I think that is positive for me!

Re: How to approach boss about WAH

I have the ability to work from home if I want to, but have a DC and DH, I get more work done in the office, and never think of it as a replacement for child care.

With that said, if you hope to have some flexibility to work from home, you should write up something showing how it could increase your productivity and free up extra space for other employees, which in turn saves the company money.

Also be sure to mention you will still come into the office when needed and be available by cell and email at all times when out of the office, (at least during traditional business hours).

Re: How to approach boss about WAH

I agree with the previous poster.

I used to work from home 1-2 days a week when I returned to practicing law at my firm after having DS, so I have some experience with this.

I think the key is to make your boss/employer understand what's in it for them, instead of emphasizing why YOU want to do it. So focus on points like how you will be able to spend the time you normally spend commuting actually working, for example.

You should also make it clear how you will be able to do your job from home -- you have a home office set up, you have childcare, etc.

And I think it's important to emphasize flexibility, as the pp said. You want to work from home when it's possible, but if a meeting is scheduled on a day you normally work from home, you can come in. Let them know that you will be reasonable - your first priority will be making sure your job gets done! If it seems there's hesitation on the part of your boss, suggest doing the work from home thing on a trial basis (like 1 month) so they can see how it will work out. You want to make it as low risk a proposition as possible for your employer.

If you get nervous, write out your proposal in advance and even email or send it ahead of time to your boss, after you schedule a time to talk to him/her, but before your meeting. To prevent rambling, use your proposal as talking points, but then don't be afraid to be quiet and wait for your boss to respond. A lot of people make the mistake in negotiations of trying to fill in all the gaps with talking, but usually the person that speaks first/breaks the silence is going to be in the weaker negotiating position. So don't be afraid of silence in your discussion!

Good luck.