Table of Content
- Should you make a request via email?
- "How will you stay connected to the team and company?"
- How to write an email requesting WFH?
- Obstacle 1: Working from home isn't the same when everyone is in the office
- "What if the team can't reach you?"
- Request Letter for Refund of Security Deposit from Landlord
- Email template to request to work from home temporarily
Of course, you can always send an email if you don't get a reply. If the lack of remote work options is a deal-breaker for you, then you can quietly conduct a job search and look to move on when you’re ready. Note that you can also use one of the subject lines above if emailing your human resources department to ask to work from home. Each company has different procedures and expectations when it comes to email communication and email subject lines, so if in doubt, follow your company’s internal guidelines.
Below is a template developed by FlexJobs’career coaching teamto help employees present their argument of a more permanent work-from-home arrangement. This includes presenting the threat working 100% in the office poses to the organization, data to support this argument, and a final recommendation advantageous to the employee. Leading up to the event, I'd like to work from home two days a week.
Should you make a request via email?
No one can deny the work-life balance most of us got from that opportunity. Remote work is more popular than usual these days, especially after the coronavirus pandemic. Some work in a hybrid setting where they come to the office on some days and work remotely on other days. Look, if you’re feeling sick, your manager should have no problem with you working from home! Use this template to request to work from home if you’re not feeling well or to care for a sick loved one.
Giving them a way out can preserve and protect your relationships. That doesn't mean you must be rude but respectful of their time. You may simply be up against a company’s culture and old-school mindset. Or a particular manager who doesn’t believe in allowing remote work. You can’t respond and continue making your case if you don’t understand their objection first. Asking open-ended, non-threatening questions can be a fantastic way to negotiate and move the conversation forward.
"How will you stay connected to the team and company?"
As mentioned in my remote work proposal, my work schedule will outline the hours I will be available on email and Slack. I will start and end my day at fixed hours, which will also be updated in the calendar, marking my presence. In case of any emergency, I will always be available on the phone during my work hours. Ultimately your goal should be to satisfy every doubt your employer has, understanding your remote work arrangement.
It's time to learn how working from home can benefit the company. Your goal is to show why working from home is not just possible but also preferable. If face-to-face time is essential to your manager, transitioning from 100% in office to 100% WFH may be too big of an ask. It can also be harder to learn tribal knowledge outside of the office. For example, most organizations have unspoken norms, rules of behavior, and ways of doing things that'll be harder to pick up if you're remote.
How to write an email requesting WFH?
It’s still worth sending a request to work remotely even if other employees aren’t being allowed to do so. You could be the trailblazer for your company or organization in this regard. Also, consider whether your company is already allowing other employees to work from home on a full-time basis, or somewhat regularly. If so, the employer is more likely to consider your request, too.

Our email template collection features dozens of templates to help you. To grasp how easy is is to write an email asking for something by using Flowrite, check out an example of how to make a request below. Sometimes you're asking for more than help, but for resources. Asking for additional resources can be challenging and will always require detailed information that only you can provide. See how we've approached the task in this resource request email sample.
However, I understand the workload and hence, I have decided to spend time from home managing the work today. I will probably be better by tomorrow and looking forward to being back at the office. Sometimes, you may be suffering from minor sickness - resulting in you not being able to come to the office. However, you would like to complete the assigned tasks by working at your home on your computer or through other modes as may be suitable. There will be a lot of things your employer can argue about against remote work. But one thing is going to happen for sure -- either you're going to find a better work/life balance at your current job, or you'll jump the ship.

I’d also be able to come into the office on an as-needed basis, for meetings, projects, etc. But it’s a better sign if other people in your company are already working from home. Some jobs, like a nurse or security guard, require your physical presence and simply can’t be performed from home. So the first step in getting to work from home is finding a role that allows it.
A steel man is about understanding their position so clearly and vividly that the person says, "Thanks, I wish I'd thought of putting it that way." Summarize your argument and outline the next steps you want to take. If your manager doesn't follow up, it's up to you to chase them. Remember to include any issues specific to your situation as well.

Unlike in-office employees, you won't have anyone looking over your shoulder. Many companies even found employees as, if not more, productive out of the office. If you're one of the three in five people who don't want to return, know you're not alone. I was wondering if you might be able to help me out with a bit of WFH this week. I’ve got some personal stuff going on that’s going to take up most of my time, and I was hoping to get a day or two off from the office. As you know, I have weekly meetings with the client which are always scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday.
Each request email is aformal email that follows a standard format. There's no need to complicate matters, just follow this structure, and you'll find your messages are simple to write and easy to understand. Get our free PDF with thetop 30 interview questions and answers. Join 10,000+ job seekers in our email newsletter and we'll send you the 30 must-know questions, plus our best insider tips for turning interviews into job offers.
Communicate daily updates of your tasks to your manager, along with your plans, schedules, and career goals. If working from home is not a common scenario in your company, your boss will be a little hesitant towards your proposal; he probably won't approve it right off the bat. Be sure to let your manager know in advance about your situation, possibly by email, discussing your job responsibilities and work setup. Meet your employer to discuss your situation in person, instead of an email. A flexible schedule means you can start your day early and end early as well. It's also important to include a reason why you want to work at home.
Outline all the points you have researched about your industry and organization. Then, formulate a well-documented proposal for your remote work arrangement. Addressing your manager's concerns and incorporating solutions for those in your flexible work arrangement is a win-win situation for both you and your manager. It would be best to get a rough idea of how standard working from home is in your industry or field of expertise. Investigate to find any departments where people are already working in such a setup in your organization.

Do you want to work from home one day a week, every day, or simply occasionally? Set the parameters of how this would work from a scheduling perspective. In your letter and follow-up meetings, reassure your manager about your availability and commitment to work, regardless of your location. It may be helpful to informally meet with someone from IT to get a sense of IT-related concerns. Your computer, laptop, or other devices may be inspected and loaded with security features and programs to help you access office tools remotely.