What remote work opportunities can you negotiate for during salary discussions?

3 Choose the right timing and tone

When you are ready to initiate the conversation about remote work, you need to choose the right timing and tone. Ideally, you should bring up the topic after you have established rapport and trust with the employer or manager, and after you have demonstrated your value and achievements. You should also avoid making it sound like an ultimatum or a demand, but rather as a request or a suggestion that benefits both parties. You should be respectful, polite, and professional, and avoid sounding entitled, defensive, or aggressive.

4 Present your case and evidence

The next step is to present your case and evidence for why you want and deserve to work remotely. You should start by explaining your motivation and goals, such as improving your productivity, efficiency, creativity, or work-life balance. You should then provide evidence of how remote work can help you achieve these goals, such as examples of successful projects or tasks you completed remotely, testimonials from previous or current managers or clients, or research studies that support your claims. You should also address any potential concerns or challenges that the employer or manager may have, such as communication, collaboration, accountability, or security, and propose solutions or strategies to overcome them.

5 Negotiate the details and terms

The final step is to negotiate the details and terms of your remote work arrangement. You should be flexible and open to compromise, as well as realistic and reasonable about your expectations. You should also be clear and specific about what you are asking for, such as the frequency, duration, location, schedule, and equipment of your remote work. You should also discuss how you will measure and report your progress, performance, and results, and how you will communicate and collaborate with your team and manager. You should also agree on a trial period and a review process to evaluate and adjust your remote work agreement if needed.