Telecommuting Proposal Writing Tip:
Dependent
CareIf your proposal to telecommute is inspired
by your newborn infant or small children, your manager has
probably figured out your motivation. Or maybe your
manager knows about your frail and elderly relative because
you’ve taken time off for related reasons.
Before you present your proposal, remember that the expected norm of telecommuters
is to
make any necessary caregiving arrangements, inside or
outside the home; it's unrealistic to think you can be
the primary caregiver of a child or elderly relative
while focusing on the work of your employer.
Your manager might not ask it directly, but the question
about child or elder care while you are working is very
likely in his or her mind.
In many cases, it's prudent to mention the care
arrangements you’ve made as the last item under section
“A. Schedule” (refer to the
Telecommuting
Proposal Package).
It should not be detailed; one line is adequate.
Unless you believe its inclusion will backfire in your
case, include this bit of information in a brief,
straightforward manner. How to Address Dependent Care
in Your Proposal
The way you say it is important in conveying this issue
as part of the “business case” you are presenting.
A poor choice of words would be something like,
“Each
workday, I'll drop off my elderly mother at the adult
daycare center, which is located 15 minutes from my
house.”
A better approach: “I've lined up a full-time daycare,
located 15 minutes from my home office.”
Or if, for example, your mother-in-law lives with you
and she will care for your baby during regular working
hours, don’t write, “My mother-in-law will watch the
baby while I work.”
Instead: “I've arranged for full-time in-home care for
my child so that I can work without interruption.”
How you present your case can impact your manager’s
decision, so choose your words and strategy carefully.
The Fastest Way to Write a Convincing Proposal
If you're looking for a short-cut path to putting
together a professional, organized, convincing proposal
to telecommute, order the Telecommuting
Proposal Package.
The
guidance your template provided was just
the boost I needed...My
boss was very impressed and approved it almost
immediately even though telecommuting has not been done
in this office before. I am so excited...thanks so much!
Tracy Ayotte,
Information Systems Administrator,
CORE Research,
Geneva, FL
Learn More
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You can show your manager
that doing some of your job is both practical and
possible using remote access software such as GoToMyPC or LogMeIn.
Related article: Work
from Home with a New Baby?
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