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6 Things to Remember When Prepping for Remote, Hybrid Work

Nick Kolakowski, Dice Insights

November 14, 2022

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Over the past few months, numerous reports and surveys have suggested managers want their teams back in the office—if not full-time, at least for a few days per week. Other data makes it clear workers really want hybrid and all-remote work.

Data from CompTIA’s monthly jobs report makes it seem as if the number of remote-work jobs is steadily declining. Whether or not that’s actually the case, the steadily re-opening of offices across the country means many technology professionals will likely need to negotiate with their managers about their remote- and hybrid-work options.

As you move into your negotiations about remote and hybrid work, keep the following tips (drawn from Dice’s recently updated Ultimate Guide to a Successful Tech Career) in mind; they can help you achieve everything from an ideal salary to a flexible schedule that truly works for you.

Read the Ultimate Guide Today!

Remote and Hybrid Workers Still Have Salary Leverage

New data suggests that the rise of remote work is shrinking the “geography gap” in technologist pay. Before, where you worked had a huge impact on your salary. But now, with companies sourcing remote talent from across the country, the gap between what technologists are paid in the traditional tech hubs versus smaller cities across the country is beginning to close. As you negotiate salary as a remote or hybrid worker, keep in mind that demand for technologists is on your side; you can absolutely negotiate for high compensation even when working from home.

You Can Set Your Schedule

Evaluate which times of day you perform at your best, whether remote or in-office; if you’re more of a morning person, for example, talk with your manager about starting your at-home workday a little earlier than your colleagues. Make sure your manager and colleagues are aware of your start and end times: A clear schedule with set start and end times (you will need to be responsible for keeping to these, especially when remote) are keys to staving off burnout. Set times will also help your manager and colleagues know the best times to interact with you.

You Can Negotiate Your Workload

As companies settle into new routines, you have an opportunity to evaluate your current workload with a critical eye. Are you overloaded? Are your skills better suited to different tasks? Starting remote or hybrid work is a good opportunity to talk with your manager about your daily workflow.

Make a Point to Engage

If you’re working from home either part- or full-time, it’s easy to lose contact with colleagues and even your manager. Go out of your way to interact with other team members, even if it’s lunch or an informal chat. Quick check-ins with your manager can also go a long way, whether or not you’re working remotely full-time.

Practice Self-Care

You’ve probably heard that one of the keys to successfully working from home is ensuring you have an effective sleep and exercise schedule. It’s also important to schedule “micro-breaks” throughout your day, even if it’s just getting up every few hours to take a walk around the block. Encourage meetings to wrap up a few minutes before the scheduled end time, so that people can more easily transition to their next meeting or task.

Create the Ideal Home Office

If you’re going to spend at least part of the week working from home, it’s important that your home office meet all your needs. You can talk to your manager about assistance (including a stipend for furniture and equipment) in making your workspace the best it can be.

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