working from home

[Jessicalife01]

Hi

I have a family based overseas in Asia. My parents are elderly and I wanted to spend more time with them - I have been away from them for over 20 years.

I told my manager that next year I want to work from home in Asia regularly also told her that details of arrangements such as which months will be discussed next year. I just wanted to give her heads-up now that this is something I planned to do and will be looking to get support from her. I am not planning to do complete remote working but as often as I can - Say for example, a month here and there.

My manager, who I have a troublesome relationship with, told me that I should justify this in writing on why I should work from home. Problem I have is I don't know what to write and don't want to say that my parents are elderly and wanting care as I don't think that is an acceptable excuse. The real reason is that I do want to spend as often as I can with them so I don't regret in the long run I didn't spend time with them - if you understand what I mean. At the same time can't quit my job as I have my own responsibilities here also with mortgages and other bills.

My working from home doesn't stop me from doing my day to day responsibilities as I work in IT. The main problems are time difference according to her to, which I am more than happy to work to UK hours and obviously how I go about justifying this. From a team working point of view, I don't think it is an issue either as none of us hardly talk and mostly just use Skype when necessary.

I wanted to ask you if you have any ideas or tips on how I should write this as a letter and what should I put to justify this?

Thank you.

When I’ve had to do this they weren’t interested in my personal circumstances it had to be about demonstrating that there would be no negative impact on the business. So I would approach it from that angle - basically all the stuff you’ve said here about working uk hours, communication via Skype etc.

You need to put in a flexible working request. In writing.

The reasons are largely insignificant. Anyone can apply for any reason. They can reject, but only based on business reasons. Not because your reason isnt good enough.

That said, I wouldnt put in caring for elderly relatives. You are going to work uk hours plus care for relatives? There could be a legitimate concern about wether you will actually be able to work. Working a different schedule to the daily schedule of those around you is difficult enough. Add in caring responsibilities and that's a lots of stress.

For example I couldnt work from home because I want to home school ds. The company would be concerned I would be distracted concentrating on ds.

I would put it more that you want to spend more time with them.

The main problem with this system is that it's not that difficult to come up with good business reasons to reject it.

Good luck, I do hope it works out for you.

You could put a cost savings spin on it (if there are any)? For example if they are currently paying for the cost of a desk for you in an office (as some companies do) then you could usethis as a reason. Or the non uk hours might be an advantage to the company of it means there would now be 24 hour cover (if this could be seen as a positive for the company?)

Could you suggest a trial of a month with review then if it isn't working or there are any concerns?

Can’t you find a job near your parents? Get rid of your property here?

Odd enough, we had a similar scenario recently (albeit they were client facing) and it was a no on the basis of the time difference and the inability to provide the level of service effectively and safely. They’d have been working through the night on a daily basis (and up during the day to fulfil the reason they wanted to go in the first place).

I would phrase it as you want to and will spend time in Asia. But instead of just going in blocks of annual leave you are offering to continue to work during much of the time you are over there. That will mean that work don’t have to find cover for you.
I don’t know where you are exactly but i imagine you can easily see your family in the mornings then work from around midday local time and into the evening.
But overall I would phrase it as you being happy to work instead of taking extended holiday and that benefits them.

I have to apply for flexible working in writing annually. My personal reasons for doing it are irrelevant, my request is based purely on the benefits to the business.

Hi all of you are fantastic and thank you so much for your advice. This has helped me a lot!!!!

You don't need to give your reasons. You might want to consider a working from request effective sooner while you are in the UK to demonstrate to both sides that you can make it work.
As PP have said, what's relevant is business need and how you will maintain contact and good working relationships. Consider your workspace, tech set up, connectivity, etc. As well as how you can avoid feeling lonely/cooped up.

Lots of resources online by people who work from home.