Over the past few years, coworking has grown in popularity and changed how people work. Given a choice, many people would prefer to work remotely. Professionals are finding success in private office rentals and shared office spaces, which could help to offer an alternative to long commutes, expensive leases, and sterile cubicles that you’ll find in many workplaces.
But how do you convince your boss to offer a stipend while you work remotely? Your performance as a professional is not hindered by the fact you’ll not be operating from a fixed spot provided by your employer. You’re entitled to allowances and perks like any other professional. If you feel qualified to earn an allowance while working remotely, here are some ideas to explore that will convince your boss.
What’s a Remote Work Stipend?
A remote work allowance can be paid in the form of a stipend, which is money your employer provides to help you purchase equipment, coffee, a coworking pass, or anything you require to ensure a comfortable and productive remote work setting. It could also be paid to help you access perks that on-site staff is provided with, including health and wellness, food, and learning and development perks.
Depending on your employer, remote work allowances can be paid on a quarterly, monthly, annual, or semi-annual basis. If this is what you’re looking for, here are some ways to approach your boss when applying for a remote work allowance.
State the Benefits of Co-Working Spaces
Your boss might not be interested so much in you choosing to work remotely. They’re more interested in solving problems as effectively as possible, so if you can do it remotely, you’ll easily receive the support you need. Instead of focusing on coworking itself, share an argument that demonstrates a solution to business challenges your boss would consider noteworthy. If you’re wondering how to approach this, here are some ideas:
- Dedicated remote working spaces help you avoid distractions, and the spaces are equipped with a high-speed network, which allows you to put in more focused, efficient days.
- Increased productivity because remote coworking spaces eliminate stiffness and monotony you get in a traditional office.
- You’ll save money from no longer acquiring and maintaining equipment, personnel, and services. You don’t need to install technology infrastructure.
Overall, your argument should focus on the benefits your employer would draw from supporting remote work. Don’t make it about your convenience and comforts as this does not demonstrate how your employer can benefit from a decision to allow you to work remotely. With the savings and efficiency realized from working remotely, you can argue for an allowance that would cater to private office space reservation.
Demonstrate Results
While talking about the benefits of working remotely is a good starting point, your employer also wants to see results. Back your argument with studies or by referencing a business with similar challenges or status as yours. For example, if your boss would benefit from securing partners, you can argue that renting a remote coworking space exposes the business to a network of potential partners.
By arguing that a study by Harvard Business Review shows 82% of businesses increased their professional network by embracing coworking, your boss will find this more convincing and will definitely consider releasing the allowances you’re asking.
Argue on Loss Aversion
Every business wants to avoid making losses. One of the strongest arguments you could put across when bidding for remote work allowance is demonstrating how much the company is losing by not having efficient remote work arrangements. For example, if the business runs a high operation cost, you can compute the amount paid for utility bills, maintenance, office rental, and other costs every month. The sum, if compared to the savings you would realize working remotely, can be explained as a potential loss.
And think about the cost of opening an office in a new location. The business will need to hire attorneys and brokers to negotiate leases and search for space. The amount paid in rent and resources needed to equip the new space. You also have costs associated with conferencing and meeting facilities. It would be easier if your employer supported you in finding a suitable coworking space. You’ll avoid all these costs and the environment can be customized to fit your needs.
Most businesses are not willing to spend more unless spending improves productivity. Even then, they want an approach that would offer savings. Just demonstrating you’ll relieve your employer of some costs, you can receive a remote work stipend.
Strategic Benefits
Another way to argue for a remote work allowance is by highlighting the strategic benefits the business would draw from embracing this work setting. The office space can be customized to provide the support the company values, including continuous learning programs. You can also present scalability as a positive to support remote work. A remote work perk can help you to scale up and improve efficiency.
Avoid Distractions
Working in a setting with many moving objects is distracting and would lead to a loss of efficiency. Many offices are not organized to allow employees maximum efficiency and focus, but you can achieve this with remote work by renting a private office. Employees transitioning into coworking spaces achieve up to 23% more productivity compared to office workers. Your boss wants to get the best of you, so a calm and organized work setting is a bonus if you can demonstrate it will improve your output.
Getting support from your boss to work remotely is easy if you can highlight how the decision will improve the business. Don’t dwell on your conveniences, but demonstrate how receiving these conveniences enables you to deliver better output for the business. In a competitive environment, your boss will appreciate opportunities that place the business in a position to grow.
Customized coworking office spaces provide a suitable opportunity to improve productivity while at the same time enjoying lower overhead costs. No employer would want to pass such an opportunity, so your bid for a remote work allowance would be received well if you can demonstrate how these benefits will be realized.