Spoken Script for Negotiating Remote Work (For a Meeting or Call)

You:

Good morning, Mr. Manager! Thank you for taking the time to meet. I wanted to discuss something important that I believe could help both my productivity and the team's efficiency. Specifically, I’d like to explore the possibility of a remote or hybrid work arrangement for myself.

I’ve done a lot of thinking and research about this. I’m confident that I can maintain, if not improve, my productivity while working from home. In fact, when I’ve worked remotely in the past [or: during the pandemic / on occasion], I’ve noticed I’m often more focused and able to produce high-quality work with fewer distractions.

I also recognize that this needs to work well for the team and the company. So, I’ve outlined a few ways we could structure this:

• [e.g., "I could work from home 3 days a week and come into the office on key collaboration or planning days."]
• I’ll maintain full availability during work hours via [Slack, Teams, email, phone].
• I’m also happy to agree on measurable KPIs to track my performance and ensure expectations are met.

I understand that you may have some concerns, whether about team collaboration, communication, or workflow, and I’m open to a trial period or regular check-ins to ensure everything works smoothly. Do you think it would be possible to explore this option on a pilot basis?

[Manager response...]

You (if challenged):

I completely understand your concerns. If it helps, I’ve compiled some research indicating that remote work can increase productivity and reduce burnout. Also, several companies in our space already offer flexible arrangements for similar roles. I’d be happy to share that data with you.

Closing if a favorable response:

Thank you. I appreciate your openness. I’ll follow up with a brief written summary of our discussion, and we can make any necessary adjustments.