If your company is new to the idea of telecommuting and you’re proposing the change after a significant life change like the birth of a newborn or the sickness of an elderly relative, your boss(es) may suspect you won’t get as much work done as they wish.
When you’re making the proposal, be sure to stress the advantages to the Business… you’re selling them remember. It might be nice to be able to take care of your home and lifestyle needs, but it’s better to keep focused on your boss(es) concerns. They want to know “What’s in it for us if we let you work at home?”
Pat Katepoo of Work Options in her Ezine Articles posting suggests mentioning it almost as an afterthought but to mention it to ward off any potential complaints.
Your boss might not ask it directly, but the question about child or elder care while you are working is very likely in his or her mind.
Mention the care arrangements you’ve made as the last item under the ‘Schedule’ section of your telecommuting proposal.
It should not be detailed; one line is adequate. Unless you believe its inclusion will backfire in your case, include this bit of information in a brief, straightforward manner.
A poor choice of words would be something like, “Each workday, I’ll drop off my elderly mother at the adult daycare center, which is located 15 minutes from my house.”
A better approach: “I’ve lined up a full-time daycare, located 15 minutes from my home office.”
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