Work thing...I've got the nerves- bloggity.

ASmallWonder

My department implemented a flexible work arrangement policy a while back and a lot of people take advantage of it by working from home on Fridays.  I'm an admin assistant and pretty much just figured I wouldn't be able to do it because the nature of my job means I need to be where the action is, so to speak.  The thing is, with all these folks WFH on Fridays, there really IS no action.  The problem is my boss.  She's great and I love her but she's mega needy.  I feel like her knee jerk reaction to me asking to WFH on Fridays is going to be no because she thinks she'd be lost.  But during the winter especially, she rarely works past 2 or 3 because she heads to her cabin to ski for the weekend (nice, right?)

I've worked it out and think there are several of my tasks I could push to Friday so that I'd be maximizing my time at home and there are even a few other things I could take on.  I even chatted with our HR person casually about the idea and she said HR is implementing a WFH program specifically for their admins so I'd have her support. I just still feel like she's going to say no and I worry that even asking is going to make her side eye me forever so I've been putting off asking because I'm nervous about her reaction.   Do I go in with a hard sell listing my thoughts and including the thoughts of the HR person or do I approach it casually with a "What do you think?  We could talk about the details."

aforst

Could you kind of do both?  Maybe lead in with "this is what I've been thinking about.." and then gauge how she's reacting to it.  If you are getting some push-back, then maybe go into your list and the HR info.  You should definitely talk to her about it.  She might surprise you!  At any rate, the worst that can happen is she says no.    Good Luck!

CinemaGoddess

Is your boss needy in an "I can't run the copier." kind of way?  

ASmallWonder

@CinemaGoddess - you have no idea lol  She CAN but she just...doesn't.  But I think she'll overestimate how much in-person support she'll need.  Most of her needs are schedule related.  And of course, if something big was going on (a meeting, outside visitors, etc.) I'd absolutely come in.

CinemaGoddess

Could you keep a diary of what you do all day and show it to her to illustrate that you don't need to be in the office on Fridays?  

Or propose maybe giving it a trial run by working halfdays on Friday in the office (and the other half day from home) and leaving her to her own defenses from maybe noon until she leaves at 2 or 3?  Give it maybe, a month, and then reevaluate?

angelashly

I know how you feel. I used to work for one like that. I would still ask.

theseaword

I would come with your proposal. Whenever folks ask me for exceptions, I always appreciate when they've anticipated some questions and concerns and have come prepared with solutions. I wouldn't say you've gone to hr with it though, as that might seem like you've gone behind her back.