Far from the madding crowd

3. Offer your boss a list of 'productivity measurements.'
The biggest fear bosses have is that you're going to be sitting around drinking tea all day. Your proposal might include, 'I'll deliver this many reports per week' or 'I'll meet these milestones by the first of the month.' Giving a concrete list of what you’ll deliver makes your plan look serious and well thought out.

4. Plan your home office.
Make a list of what you'll need at home (computer equipment, dedicated fax line, phone line etc). Teleworking shouldn’t involve any extra personal costs. Your employer should cover all the equipment, utilities and insurance you’ll need to work from home. They’ll also have to ensure that your home office meets health and safety regulations.

If you get the go-ahead to work from home on a regular basis, contact your mortgage company, tax office and household insurers to inform them of the change to your working patterns. There should be no problem, and in the case of household insurance you may even get a discount, because if you’re in during the day your home is less likely to fall prey to burglars.

It's important to make your home working environment as professional as possible. Decide how you'll stay in touch with colleagues or clients (using a combination of telephone, faxes and email). Come up with a firm schedule: 'I'll be in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays and will work from home on the other three days.'

5. Volunteer to be a guinea pig for the rest of the department.
Write up your teleworking experience -- good and bad -- and offer to distribute it as an example of how to create a successful plan.

More

• Read up about flexible working.
  
• Be prepared before you ask for change.
  
• What you can do if your request is refused.

Further Information:

• European Teleworking Online
• TCA – Teleworkers Association