Like every other official letter, a request letter to work from home is an official document or letter stating the need or to work from home. This letter should contain information like your name, role in the organization, address, contact information, and more.
Writing a request letter to work from home provides you with a platform to reveal issues capable of altering your performance as an employee. For example, if you experience daily gridlock on your way to work, require less office interruption during business calls, or need to mitigate expenses on commuting, this letter is your way of expressing yourself.
Reasons to Write a Request Letter to Work from Home
An employee has the right to request to work remotely if he or she is medically unfit, needs to attend to a family emergency, etc. In other words, you are at liberty to write a request letter to work from home so far you are faced with a situation that threatens your productivity or work hours.
Due to an ailment
As an employee, you have to notify authorities about your health condition. If you are sick, it is a valid reason to write a request letter to work from home remotely. This gives you ample room to manage your condition, eliminate the chances of a spread, and keep the organization fully functional.
Family emergencies
Sometimes it may be your wife or kids. Your wife might even be pregnant and maybe a few days close to becoming a mother. These events and a couple of other family-related emergencies are worthy of requesting a family emergency sick leave. Not all sicknesses are indeed considered worthy of sick leave. However, COVID-19 has made every form of ailment a potential threat.
Due to having symptoms of COVID -19
The smallest of illnesses now is a potential COVID threat as long as it comes with fever, sneezing, shortness of breath, fatigue, to name a few. Hence, if you are feeling any of these symptoms, start drafting all the information you will be needing for a request letter to work from home.
The Information the Letter Must Contain
It is not just about the information here, clarity is what matters. To put yourself in a place of advantage is to state in the letter:
Reason for the request
Reasons to write a request letter to work from home may vary. On one end it might be as a result of a family emergency or personal health issues, on the other end, the stress of commuting may be responsible. Irrespective of the reason, clarity matters!
Dates and time that works for you
This is where you state the day or time based on the reason stated earlier. For example, if Monday and Friday have a history of being stressful in terms of transporting yourself to work, you may request to be allowed to work from home on those two days. However, if all you need is a few hours on Monday and Friday to visit a loved one, kindly state it and be flexible in doing so.
Accessibility
You should provide your employer with at least 2 means of communication if you are requesting to work remotely. Mediums such as your phone number, email, Skype ID, and more are common means of communication during work hours.
Examples of Subject Lines of Requesting to Work Remotely
Your choice of subject lines must be clear, specific, and informative.
Here are examples of subject lines for your request letter to work from home:
- Request to work from home due to a family emergency
- Request to work from home temporarily
- Request to work from home on a part-time basis
These subject lines are susceptible to modifications depending on why you need your request granted as an employee.
Ensuring Employer Satisfaction
Your employer may be reluctant about certain things on behalf of the company if you work from home. This is because some employers do not buy the idea of working remotely or because they believe there should be a solution that keeps you within the work environment. If this is the case, there is a need to offer compelling and genuine reasons why the potential change in working conditions would not, in any way affect your productivity and that of the organization. Your manager might be worried about:
Security and confidentiality of information
You need to be a step ahead here by visiting the IT department and familiarizing yourself with how to protect data from being hacked. Reinforce your computer, laptop, or tablet with security features to protect against such events and state this while addressing your employer.
Level of productivity
You are expected to prove to your employer that you can be as productive while working at home as much as in the office by providing past metrics or by sharing your strategy on how you intend to keep him posted on your weekly accomplishments. Weekly summary emails or check-in calls are tested and trusted strategies.
Collaboration among co-workers
Every organization has different departments. How can you assure your manager that you are associating well with the co-workers in your department when you are working from home? Here, you need to provide alternative familiarization options such as chat programs, phone, video calls, email, etc. Address in detail, how these options will allow you to stay in touch with your colleagues.
If you can genuinely tackle these concerns in your letter, your manager might have no choice but to accept your request letter to work from home.
How Not to Address the Employer Concerns
Do not for any reason say you would like to work from home or remotely because:
- You don’t like putting on uniforms
- You need an hour a day to care for your kid
- You don’t want to work with a co-worker
These reasons are flimsy and would present you as irresponsible and unprofessional which you do not want.
Guidelines to Ask to Work from Home
If working remotely is an unusual mode of operation in your workplace, it can be a delicate subject to discuss with your employer. These tips can increase your chances of achieving your aim if you follow them accurately:
Address any possible concerns
This is the most important tip. A determinant of if your request letter to work from home will be accepted or rejected. While providing your employer with the strategies you have in place to counter potential worries or obstacles, be assured in your presentation. This would make your boss confident in your abilities.
Be very specific and flexible
I mentioned this earlier. When writing a request letter to work from home, ensure you state why you need it and how you want the transition to proceed clearly. You should also employ flexibility such that your boss reserve the right to tweak any part he or she feels need to be modified without affecting your quest.
Highlight the benefits
State here how not having to drive amid gridlocks would save the company some money, help you work faster and better. The bottom line is, your motive to work from home should come with benefits. Stress on those benefits.
Be aware of your company’s culture
No one knows your organization more than you do. If working remotely is a common practice at your workplace, you might not go through much trouble to get what you want. However, if it is a new concept, do your homework well because you may end up explaining why and how it would benefit the company extensively.
Consider all possible obstacles
Understanding the pros and cons of working from home is crucial. Your request letter to work from home must reveal your understanding of what it entails and how you plan on addressing them. This proves to your boss that you know what you are asking for.
Samples: Request Letter to Work from Home
Following are a few samples of request letter to work from home for you to have a better understanding of the sentence structure and tone of the letter:
Email sample 01
Dear [Name of Recipient],
The [state the reason why you would prefer to work from home] is getting worse and I feel my productivity and efficiency [you can state other reasons] would improve if I get to work from home.
I would appreciate it if I am allowed to work from home on [include the days]. If needed in the office, I promise to make myself available. I respect the work ethics within the organization and I look forward to maintaining the standard.
While working from home, I promise to be completely reachable via [include the various medium of communication]. Because I care so much about our organization, I am prepared to accept any modifications to my request.
I look forward to a positive response.
Best Regards.
[Your name]
Email sample 02
Subject line: Request to work from home full-time or regularly
Dear Anthony,
I am very sure you have noticed the increase in the level of my efficiency and productivity. This is due to working from home a few hours a week.
To attain the peak of this remarkable performance, I would like you to consider the idea of me working from home regularly or full-time. My availability in the office would remain on an ad-hoc basis and I remain reachable via phone or email during work hours.
Being a part of this organization would always be an honor and I look forward to our continuous growth. Thank you for your time.
Regards,
Anita Wright
Email sample 03
Subject line: Request to work from home part-time
Dear James,
Despite meeting my monthly target, I must admit that the past few months have not been easy for me. This is no thanks to different gridlocks and daily interruptions I encounter on my to the office and in the office respectively. This series of events disrupt my phone conversations with clients and make it extra hard to meet my monthly target.
I would like to suggest that I am allowed to work from home on Wednesday and Friday every week. This would reduce my commute stress, reduce the organization’s expenses on parking costs, and I would be able to contribute extra hours of work. I would always be available on days not included in remote work days and if there is a need to be present on remote workdays, I would be available.
I respect what I have here and believe with an opportunity to work remotely, I can be more effective. Feel free to make modifications to my request where deemed fit.
I look forward to a favorable response.
Regards,
Chloe Jones
Email sample 04
Subject line: Request to work from home
Dear Amber,
I believe there is a need to prepare for the forthcoming executive meeting but as things stand nothing is yet to be done. I have been assigned to head the task force in charge of putting things in place for the meeting. We both know the gravity of this role and how it can affect my metrics at work.
To effectively plan for the annual meeting, create marketing materials, email funnels, and the likes, I would like the opportunity to work from home a few weeks to the event. Once the meeting is over, I would resume office duty fully.
This will not in any way affect my daily office routine. It is just a measure to have a few extra hours dedicated to making the annual executive meeting a better version of the previous year.
I anticipate a positive response.
Best,
Abigail Morrison.
Email sample 05
Subject line: Request to work from home on a trial basis
Dear Conor,
Communicating with my business partners is becoming increasingly difficult due to office interruptions and the closeness of desks. Most clients find the background noise irritating and it is not good for the organization.
To set things straight, I would like to suggest working from home. I know we do not consider such a request here but I believe now is the right time to give it a try. Working from home would eliminate all forms of background noise and improve the conversation experience between me and clients. My presence at work would be on a needed basis and via phone and email.
Kindly let me know what you think.
Regards,
Peter Ray.
Email sample 06
Subject line: Request to work from home based on health concerns
Dear Mike,
TMikevent of COVID-19 makes me feel unsafe working in a crowded environment because my doctor confirmed my immune system status is weak. Hence, for my safety and the safety of everyone, I would like granted the opportunity to work from home until my immune system is confirmed fit for work by my doctor. Working from home would afford me a few hours of rest and visits to my doctor.
You reserve the right to always contact me via phone and email during work hours and I promise to be fully available. Productivity and efficiency would not decline from my end as well.
Thank you for your consideration. If you have any questions, send them my way and I would gladly answer.
Best,
Meghan Ross.
Email sample 07
Subject line: Request to work from home to care due to family reasons
Dear Sarah,
I recently got the news that my dad is struggling with Dementia. Now, he has been transferred to a hospital in this province and would soon be discharged. This development is why I would like to request a work from home permit because it would be unsafe to leave him alone in my apartment.
A chance to work from home would give me time to watch over him, access his improvement, and make the necessary arrangement. I am confident that I can maintain my metrics while catering to my dad. I would also be available via phone or email if there is a need for any information dissemination or my presence at the office. for hi As you know, my father has been struggling with dementia for almost two years now.
Thank you for understanding. I look forward to your decision.
Best,
Isabelle Jenkins
Free Downloads
How can we help? We’ve thought about this and designed a request letter to work from home templates to increase your chances of acceptance. You can download it here
Be sure to include being available via telecommunication mediums during work hours in your request letter to work from home. It improves efficiency, productivity, and collaboration. To make a strong case, you must be prepared to explain why working from home is in your employer’s best interests. Upon acceptance, there may be a need to follow up with a letter or an email for the sake of official documentation.
Despite COVID-19 being the major reason why working from home has become a common practice, it should not be the only reason employees should be permitted to do so. The primary goal of your employer is to get the best out of you. Hence, if anything hampers your efficiency as an employee, you have to provide possible solutions which might include working from home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which day or days of the week suits working from home
Friday and probably Wednesday work for most employees. However, you are in the best position to determine yours.
Is working from home good
Of course, it is a really good initiative. It improves productivity, reduces commute stress, and more.