Negotiating a fair remote work agreement

The tide is turning on remote work. Many employers are requesting changes to work from home arrangements that are unwelcome to many people who are feeling the benefits of remote work to their health, time and wallet. People whose lives have been changed for the better through the provision of working from home and the flexibility it brings. Families have settled into routines that require an adult at home, including school pick up or caring for a family member. 

While we're not all in a strong negotiating position when organisations start pushing return to office policies, there are ways you can approach the negotiation in a way that increases the likelihood of a successful outcome. 

Take the time to understand the perspective of your employer

"It's too hard to see what everyone is working on, what if my employees are watching tv instead of working?"

There are many reasons why your employer may be considering a change to remote working arrangements. They may be concerned about communications, collaboration, accountability, productivity or all of the above. Your employer may also be concerned about money down the drain with expensive leases and the loss of in-office culture and the connections and relationships that build with face to face contact. They have concerns around visibility of the working being done, and concerns that people can more easily slack off while remote working. They may have become comfortable with the type of control techniques they previously experienced in the office and they might feel stressed or not know how to adjust to new approaches more suited to managing remotely.

Any argument you put forward, needs to address these real concerns.

Build your negotiating position

Firstly identify what it is that you are negotiating for. Identify the number of days you would be willing to work in the office (if any). Be prepared to state the reasons for your request and know where and how you might be willing to compromise. It's important to consider how at risk your job is and how much you need it. Looking for another remote work opportunity may be much more difficult than compromising some elements of your ideal remote working arrangements with your current employer.

Research your rights, read your employment contract, find out about laws or regulations that may protect your right to work from home, particularly if you have special circumstances that might require working from home options. 

It's not all about you, remember to consider how your request fits in with the needs of your team. Speak with your leader and team to identify any issues they're facing with remote work and come up with a way to address them. Remote working arrangements need to be fair to all staff.

Specifically address your employer's concerns

Ensure you have considered your employer's position by demonstrating respectful and effective remote work practices.

Demonstrate performance and accountability by:

• Making sure your team can see your work in progress.
• Being available during agreed times (e.g., presence indicators and status updates in MS Teams, answering the phone), or clearly signalling times of non-availability.
• Keeping track of your committed timeframes and updating stakeholders early on how you're progressing.
• Providing a regular status update to the boss, that aligns to the complexity of your task. Be real about progress, risks and issues.
• Offer suggested solutions as well as raising issues.

Demonstrate effective communication and collaboration by:

• Being present and engaged in online meetings and conversations.
• Offering help where it's required and promptly asking for help where you need it.
• Making use of in-office time effectively by organising face to face meetings and building relationships and social contacts both within and outside of your team. 
• Asking how your leader would prefer to be kept up to date and how frequently they want to hear from you.

Time to negotiate

Remember that considerate, perceptive and persistent negotiation wins the race.

1. Clearly state the reasoning behind your request.
2. Frame your position as a negotiation not a demand
3. Explain how you will address your employer's concerns
4. Think about your BATNA (best alternative to a negotiated agreement), know how you are willing to compromise in response to any concessions offered. 
5. Ensure that your leader has all the information they need to escalate your request to their leaders if required.

Need more info?

For more information to help you negotiate with your organisation, download our free Remote Work Agreement Checklist.

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