You know what I love about telecommuting as a freelance writer?
Everything.
I make my own hours. As long as I have a laptop and access to good wifi, I can travel anywhere in the world and work.
It isn’t all puppies and rainbows, however. I must work 8-hour to 16-hours days, depending on how much work I have and closeness of impending deadlines.
Also, because I am independent contractor, I don’t get medical benefits. I haven’t had the health benefits I once took for granted as former salaried worker for a long time.
I have written numerous articles on the benefits of doing freelance telecommuting work. However, telecommuting salaried work may be a better option depending on your personal circumstances.
The average telecommuting worker makes about $66,000. The salary for most telecommuting workers ranges between $16,000 to $142,000 depending on experience and skill.
Legally, the pay scale for remote work and in-office work is supposed to be the same. Such pay rates should be based on office and worker location, and current business market trends.
So, if you are fortunate enough to be a salaried worker, or an, “essential” office worker, there is hope you can convert.
Over 50 million people are unemployed. There is a global coronavirus pandemic. And even if the pandemic is brought under control, work offices will probably never be at full capacity again.
It may benefit you more to work at home as salaried worker than a freelance worker. Especially if you have family and the accompanying bills to take care of such.
Here are three ways to negotiate converting your job position to a remote position with your boss.
Justify Your Job Conversion
Your boss probably believes you should be reporting to the office for a reason.
Use a diplomatic approach of professional negotiation. Explain why you would be more productive working from home.
How would converting your job to a remote position be more productive?
Think a few steps ahead of your boss. Market conditions are always fluid. Perhaps post-pandemic, it wouldn’t work to have your job as a remote position.
So, why should your position be effective as a long-term or permanent remote position?
Motivate your boss to see your point of view.
Make a Proposal
Use data related to your position to argue how expenses could be saved by having you work at home.
How is your boss’ job made easier by you working at home?
Try to anticipate how your boss would respond. Create a short proposal that will assuage any doubts.
Use Compromise and Negotiation as Strategy
There is a difference between being assigned a freelance telecommuting position and requesting it as a salaried worker. Legally the pay scale is supposed to the same between in-office and telecommuting positions, but life isn’t fair.
Would you willing to take a modest pay cut temporarily to accommodate a conversion? How would staggered work hours or streamlined working conditions with in-office colleagues improve?
Don’t rush into negotiations. Plot out step by step how you would go about broaching this topic.
If you are refused, don’t take it personally.
Also, you can always fall back on telecommuting freelance during home time.
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Allen Francis was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years with no money, no financial literacy, and no responsibility when he had money. To him, the phrase “personal finance,” contains the power that anyone has to grow their own wealth. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including focusing on your needs instead of your wants, asking for help when you need it, saving and investing in your own small business.
