by Vonda J. Sines

Created on: April 10, 2008   Last Updated: April 16, 2008

With the price of a gallon of gas still on the rise, you don't need to be convinced that telecommuting would be a good idea. But how will you win over your boss?

According to Gerri Willis, CNNMoney.com contributing columnist, what telecommuting can do for your employer should dwarf what the alternative practice can do for you when you're considering proposing it.

A recent study by the International Telework Association and Council found that at least 20 million workers telecommute at least 1 day each month. This is more than 3 times the number from 10 years earlier.

After all, who wouldn't want to park the car or avoid standing in the rain while waiting for a bus when the office is only a few yards away from the shower and a comfortable pair of jeans?

The trick to approaching the boss about telecommuting is being prepared. Here's what you'll need to do:

1. Search for telecommuting policy: First find out if your company has a written policy. If it does, review all the tiniest details. If telecommuting is limited to individuals who have been with the firm a year, think twice about bringing it up if you started only three months ago.

2. Start out small: Make a list of all the aspects of your job and determine which ones lend themselves most to a telecommuting environment. Drafting documents at home or in a teleworking center might be easy. However, projects with lots of onsite team meetings aren't well suited to such an arrangement. Isolate and list the work that fits best with telecommuting.

3. Research equipment needs: Be prepared to discuss whether you'll need a company laptop or whether you can mirror your work desktop on your home computer. Which office supplies will the company provide? Also be ready to assure management that your proposed workspace will meet all corporate safety requirements.

4. Target advantages to the company: Some of the most common ones proposed are a reduction in overhead cost, higher productivity due to lack of distractions, freeing up an office at headquarters, and increased morale.

5. Practice overcoming objections: List all the negatives the boss could bring up and be prepared to counter them. You'll need to know what to say about potential family distractions during work hours, being reachable whenever needed, and willingness to change your plans and come to the corporate office if suddenly needed.

6. Define the nitty gritty: Be prepared to discuss specific days and work hours, who will provide which equipment, and how any equipment used

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