4 Tips For Keeping Your Remote Job In 2024

After reaching its peak demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of available remote jobs has definitely dropped. Many, if not most CEOs have called their employees back to the office, citing reduced collaboration and a drop in productivity, not to mention empty office spaces that continue to be on company dime.

If you’re already holding down a remote job but know that management will soon send you back to the office, here are four tips you can use to keep working remotely in 2024.

Showcase That Your Productivity Is the Same

It’s easy to see why productivity is the biggest concern for CEOs who want their employees back onsite. While remote monitoring tools are available, they often come with several disadvantages that can complicate their effectiveness. Besides making employees feel like they’re under constant surveillance, they can also produce misleading data that favors activity over results.

So, if you want to keep your job, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re equally, if not more productive, as a remote employee than if you had to report to the office.

I suggest providing detailed reports of your work. Remember to highlight your achievements and demonstrate how your remote setup contributes to your efficiency. Regularly sending quick emails or Slack messages updating your supervisors on your progress is also a good idea.

The key here is to report both activity and results. You want to show that you’re always where you’re supposed to be during work hours and that you’re getting things done with minimal supervision.

Additionally, make sure to ask for feedback and be open to it. This shows that you are engaged, committed to improvement, and willing to adapt to the needs of the team and the company.

Use Other Remote Job Offers as Leverage

Remote roles might be on the decline, but companies looking for remote workers do still exist. This is especially true in tech, digital marketing, e-commerce, customer service, and other industries that found success with remote working during the pandemic.

So, even if you’re happy with your current role, make it a point to check the job market and apply for remote positions periodically. This way, you can use your other job offers to demonstrate that your skills and expertise are still in demand, which puts you in a position to negotiate with your current employer.

Since the goal is to keep your current role, I would recommend approaching this discussion tactfully. A good rule of thumb is to frame the discussion in a way that highlights your value and dedication to your current employer.

For example, you can say that while you have received attractive offers from other companies, you want to stay because you are invested in the company’s vision and you enjoy your work there. This allows you to reinforce your worth while also showing loyalty, which may make your employer more willing to consider your preferred work arrangement.

Look For a Middle Ground With Hybrid Arrangements

Some companies will be insistent on their return-to-office mandates, so consider proposing a hybrid work arrangement as a compromise. A hybrid model, which involves splitting your time between the office and working remotely, allows you to enjoy at least some of the benefits of remote work while satisfying the

company’s need for in-person presence.

For example, if you’re a middle manager, your team may benefit from having you around at least during the busiest days of the week for face-to-face meetings and direct supervision. Your presence in the office may improve team cohesion and productivity when it counts, while remote days can help you manage personal tasks and focus on deep work without office distractions.

You can even suggest a trial period to show the advantages of such an arrangement. This way, you have the chance to prove your case and clearly demonstrate why your company should let you work remotely at least some of the time.

When proposing this arrangement, be sure to communicate your desire to find a solution that works for both you and the company. While you will always want to emphasize your value to the company, it’s also best to be seen as a flexible team player with every intention of contributing to the organization’s success.

Tie it Together With Business ROI

Perhaps the best strategy that you can use to retain your remote role is to tie it together with how it’s going to contribute to the company financially. It’s already a given that hiring new staff costs more than retaining existing employees, so you want to show that you’re a valuable member of the organization whose absence will be missed by highlighting your positive contributions.

Next, it’s a good idea to look at factors like cost savings. Retaining remote staff can mean saving on utilities like electricity, heating, and cooling expenses, especially if a sizable chunk of the workforce is working from home.

If your company is big on environment and corporate social responsibility, then this is another angle that you can use. Besides cost savings, working from home allows you to reduce carbon emissions associated with commuting and powering an entire office building. Even if only some staff are working remotely, less foot traffic still means reduced environmental impact overall.

At the end of the day, it’s best to communicate openly to your management about your intentions to continue working remotely. Be honest about your reasons, whether they involve personal productivity, work-life balance, or cost savings.

If you can, present any data or feedback that supports your case, such as improved productivity metrics and even personal sentiments from your team. This way, you can put yourself in the best position to negotiate with your company, and hopefully never have to spend two hours on grueling commutes again. Good luck out there!