A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

Convincing Boss to Let Me Work At Home - Jen

Posted: Feb 05, 2012

I have been doing MT work for over 10 years now. I worked from home for a while and loved it. Circumstances changed, so I now drive an hour each way to a hospital, spending about 350 a month just for gas, not to mention excessive oil changes, tire rotations, etc. due to mileage! Let's factor in that I just now found out I'm expecting my first child (at age 37...please pray for me!! LOL) and can expect in my area to pay around 400 a month for daycare. So, we're at 750 a month just for gas and daycare. I've been trying to convince my boss to let me work from home to save these expenses, as I'm a single mom-to-be and every bit will help tremendously. A majority of my work hours are on the weekends, when I work three weekends per month at 12-13 hours each day, and daycare is impossible to find for weekends. I've pointed out to my boss that while the other ladies in the department may fuss initially because they want to work from home too, they will be glad to know that I will continue to take all those weekends if I can work from home. Nobody wants to go back on weekend rotations. Also, my time off when I have the baby will be shorter, putting the department under less strain. It also opens up another computer portal in the office, should they need to hire additional employees in the future. Has anyone else had to convince their bosses to let them work at home and if so, did you come up with any really good convincing reasons that actually worked? So far, they aren't budging. I know they value me, as I am a really high producer and they've told me how much they appreciate my work. I just REALLY need to go home! And I know working at home with a new baby won't be easy, but at least I'm already comfortable with the work here and it's a very laidback office so if I needed to clock out and tend to baby, it wouldn't be an issue. Any ideas appreciated!

work at home - BBMT

[ In Reply To ..]
I want to tell you what I hear:

I want special treatment but don't feel the others in the department deserve it.

I can work at the same time I caregive to an infant.

I want to open a computer portal and will unknowingly be offering my replacement a spot.

Many MTs have decided to work at home because they are pregnant. How you truly expect to work 12+ hours and take care of a baby is beyond me. You need at least ONE hand to transcribe.

So, if I were you and I wanted to be considered for working at home, I'd leave out anything about saving you time or money, anything about child-rearing, anything about the others in your department, and anything about opening a computer portal in-house.

I'd stress things like higher productivity, more availability, better attendance, etc.

Good luck.

Not what I asked. - Jen

[ In Reply To ..]
I have already pointed out those things to the powers that be..that I would be available more, etc. And this is especially important in my department as we flip back and forth so much with being either totally dead or really busy. I in no way feel or have implied that my coworkers do not deserve to work from home, as well. I love the ladies I work with and I personally think the whole dept should be working from home since regular transcriptionists in our hospital work from home(we are radiology). I didn't ask for criticism, only for ideas that others have used in being able to work from home. Thanks for the input, but that's not what I asked for. Seriously I get so sick of this board being so full of grumpy rude people who are so eager to throw out an opinion without being the least bit helpful. I don't know why I even bother anymore.

Numbers - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I hope some of the following might help, as I have been exactly where you are now.

If you can calculate numbers that sometimes helps. For example, if they send the department home to work they could save "X" in freeing up the office space you currently use (especially if they lease it), less days called in sick, higher productivity, etc. When they see the dollar signs it can perk things up a bit. Unfortunately nobody cares about the benefits for us to work from home, they need to see how it benefits them.

As for communication (if they have concerns about that) there are wonderful ways to still have department meetings and keep everybody "together". We had them once a month in a conference room at the hospital. There are also great sites, such as Go To Meeting, that can help keep everyone informed and feel like part of the team. We also started our own private forum through our company's intranet where we could talk with each other daily.

I wish you the best of luck! I really hope it works out for you.

I didn't hear what you heard - ...

[ In Reply To ..]
We all have the right to seek the gig we want. If the OP can make a case that she can be as productive at home, more power to her!

I had a hybrid job, where I worked at home as well as on site. (Until they went with Dragon, of course.)

no way you can work a 12 hour shift with a baby - no way

[ In Reply To ..]
There is just no way. You have no idea what you are talking about. You will not be able to do both. IMPOSSIBLE. I would ask about going home, but you will absolutely need a babysitter there. TRUST ME. Even a 2 hour shift would be hard, especially after age 1. Toddlers need attention NONSTOP. You just dont know what you dont know (being your first kid).

SORRY.

I did exactly that, and it worked for me - - NYMT

[ In Reply To ..]
Of course I was married, and that helped some because some of my work I did in the evening after my hubby came home, but during the day I hired a mother's helper, and she cared for my two year old and my newborn while I was working. She didn't need as much pay because I was there too. I was able to nurse the baby when she was hungry, and my two year old was able to come and go to reassure himself I was there. The mother's helper did a really good job, and I was able to go back to work two weeks after my daughter was born.

They are now 20 and 22, and never had to have me gone when they were sick, I never had to scramble for babysitters when there was a snow day. I heartily support what you want to do. Good luck. I know this didn't answer your questions, but I want you to know it CAN work!

Work From Home with Children - SP

[ In Reply To ..]
Absolutely worked for me..granted you have to be flexible with your hours but I started at home when I was pregnant with my 3rd child and would not change a minute of it...not to say its not hard at times but was so worth it!

Work From Home With Children - Mom of 6

[ In Reply To ..]
I have a woman working for me from home now with a new baby. I must say it may be working for her, but it is not working for me. As a working mother myself, I am very understanding and am really trying to work with her. However, I am getting the short end of the stick - as is the client.

As a first time mom she did not really understand the demands of a new baby, and it has begun to jeopardize her position. She recently had to hire someone to come in and babysit while she is working. I am not sure how that is working for her financially. I am still trying to give her an opportunity, but I must say I am not sure this is going to work out.

Your employer is going to have to be VERY flexible with your time and production if it is going to be a mutually satisfying situation...just saying.

It is possible to work from home but I am not sure you can't do it alone with a young baby. Hope this helps you in considering all aspects of this situation before you make a proposal to you employer. Best wishes to you.

Work From Home With Children - Mom of 6 - transcript guy

[ In Reply To ..]
I've had a girl work at home for me also and on her last trimester of her pregnancy, she became less present at work and after her birthing, I hardly ever heard from her again. After the birth of my first child, I realized why. It's very hard to maintain a work-at-home job and manage an infant as the infant requires most of your time, and affection. I would recommend to anyone expecting kids, to take some time off from work and manage things accordingly. it would be better for yourself and your employer - least your employer can put things in place to have their work done.

I did it with two under 3 yo. - MamaBear

[ In Reply To ..]
I managed it before and after I had kids. I was working when my water broke. I didn't even take a maternity leave AND I had postpartum depression and nursed. I am woman, hear me roar. LOL

thots - sigher

[ In Reply To ..]
My coworker orchestrated a work-from-home situation for herself (and others followed - me included). I think it was due to simple persistence. I can't ask her how she did it (she quit a few years ago) but my thought is talking to your IT department and see if they can help you work out the details, THEN go to your supervisor. Maybe suggest it could be on a "we'll see how it goes" basis and if it doesn't work out, you'll work inhouse again. good luck

working at home with kids - 4 here - devilsadvocate

[ In Reply To ..]
It absolutely CAN be done working at home with an infant. I went to work at-home with my 1-month old daughter and haven't looked back since. You do have to realize (as any new parent does) it may require working on very little to no sleep and that you may have to work 12 hours just to do what you did in 8 before (btw, I also breastfed too). For those that say it "cannot be done," this is incorrect. I have FOUR (yes FOUR) kids at home and I have been working MT through 2 pregnancies, infancies, a house fire, reconstruction and now my mother's illness. It CAN be done. I have no help as far as helping you get your supervisor to agree but please don't let them tell you it can't be done! Good Luck!

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