10 Good Reasons To Work From Home (at The Last Minute) | 2023
For most of us with a strong wifi signal and reliable remote technology, there is no reason why we can’t work from home when the situation allows.
Life can be unpredictable and there will be times when you’ll need to request to work from home at the last minute. Working from home can be highly productive if you structure your workday effectively.
Having some valid reasons at hand can be handy and can even save your career.Good Reasons to Work From Home Last Minute
There are many good reasons for a last-minute request to work from home. Most of these reasons are unexpected and personal. For example, you might have a house inspection at short notice, you might need to sign for a delivery, you might have to look after someone who is ill, or you are experiencing car trouble.
In this article, we discuss the ten most popular reasons why you might need to work from home without having much notice.
Not only will this help you to avoid any penalties, but it will make it easier for you to make a similar request in the future.1. You have a sick family member
We all get sick from time to time and have to take sick leave while we recover. Although the United States does not offer universally-guaranteed sick leave for permanent employees, few employers would begrudge you time off for an emergency illness.
In a perfect world, sick leave entitlements would include caring for family members such as dependent children and elderly relatives.
While you need to be at home to supervise and provide care, you yourself are not ill so you can work while you’re at home to avoid having to take paid or unpaid leave.2. You have to sign for a delivery
Most of us shop online for all sorts of goods, from shoes and clothing to white goods and furniture. In 2020, 59% of Americans reported receiving some type of package at least once a week. Staggeringly, 43% of people who receive deliveries report having had a package stolen. Most worryingly, almost two-thirds of these people have experienced more than one theft.
If you live in an unsafe part of town where doorstop thievery is common, your best bet is to wait for your delivery at home.
Sometimes, especially for larger and more expensive items, you will also need to sign for your item. Delivery companies will often give you a ‘delivery window’ of several hours so the best use of your time is to spend the day working from home, happy with the knowledge that you will be there you’re your item is delivered.3. There is a public transport strike
If bus, train, and tram drivers decide to strike for more pay and/or better working conditions, you may not have a timely way to get to work. Hiring a car on short notice is impractical, and using a taxi or ride-share company can become extremely expensive thanks to surge pricing policies.
Unless your company is willing to pay for your private transport, working from home is the sensible option.
The same is true if you drive to work and there are major roadworks on your usual route. If they will add a lot of time to your commute, you will be more productive using this time to work from home. Not only will this save you time, but probably your stress levels as well.4. You’ve been burgled!
In the United States, there are an average of 2.5 million burglaries each year, with around two-thirds of these being home break-ins. If you’ve been violated by a burglar you will need to file a police report and call the insurance company as soon as possible. If you work from home during this time, you will be able to accommodate visits from the police and the insurance inspectors.5. You are having car trouble
Most of us have experienced car trouble at some point or another. It doesn’t matter whether you have a flat battery or a twisted tire thanks to a fender bender. If your car needs urgent repair, working from home is a more constructive use of your time than trying to navigate public transportation routes that you are not familiar with.6. You have tradespeople
Tradespeople are notoriously busy and if there is a shortage of qualified builders, plumbers, and electricians in your area, you may have to wait months for an appointment. Rather than cancel because of work, working from home is a sensible alternative.
Sure, you might have to put up with a day of loud noise, but a sturdy pair of noise-canceling headphones will help you get through the day without too much trouble.7. You have a house inspection
If you rent a house or apartment, you will need to undergo a rental inspection at least once or twice a year. It’s a good idea to be there while your landlord makes their way through your home so that you can discuss any issues that might arise on the spot.8. You have had an injury
Most of us have suffered from a non-life-threatening injury at some point in our lives.
In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded a total of 39.5 million medically reported accidents and poisonings from a population of over 310 million people.
If you have a sedentary job where you work on the computer for much of the day, these types of injuries won’t prevent you from continuing to work. However, they are inconvenient and might make it harder for you to get yourself around.
Even if the injury is minor, working from home for a few days will help you rest and recover without diminishing your productivity.9. You have a dental emergency
While most of us try to schedule regular trips to the dentist, a dental emergency such as a broken tooth or lost filling might require a last-minute appointment. Rather than wasting time commuting to work, going to the dentist, and then back to work before your commute back home, working from home will save you time, effort, and probably a lot of pain.10. There is an emergency at home
There are few guarantees in life beyond how unpredictable it can be. At home, there are a number of potential emergencies that will need your immediate attention. This includes:Lost roof tiles thanks to a stormA leaky ceilingBurst water pipesSmoke damage thanks to an overcooked mealA malfunctioning heater in the middle of winterA malfunctioning air-conditioning in the middle of summer
If you work from home, you will be able to let the insurance inspectors and tradespeople in to do their jobs and get your house back to normal as soon as possible.
Why Do You Need a Strong Reason When Requesting to Work From Home?Why Do You Need To Know What is a Good Reason to Ask Work From Home
If you have a valid reason to request work from home at the last minute, you are more likely to be granted the request, and your boss will likely be more understanding. Working from home allows you to take care of personal responsibilities without having to leave work early, miss important deadlines, or miss a workday.
When something unexpected happens at home or in your personal life, which requires you to work from home, having a list of good reasons will help your case. This is especially important if you are requesting to work from home at the last minute.
If your employer agrees, you’ll be able to get the work done from the comfort of your own home. Plus, you won’t have to worry about traffic, parking, or other hassles that come with working in an office.
Thus, if your work allows you to work remotely, just make sure that you have a good excuse ready, so if you’re ever in a bind and need to work from home, you’ll have the option to choose between taking an urgent leave, requesting for an early leave from office, or requesting to work from home.
Otherwise, if you find difficulty in balancing your work and personal life, it might be wise to explore the option of finding a new job or changing your career path that will suit your needs.
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Editor-in-Chief & Career Development Expert
A.C is the Founder of HQHire. Sharing his experience as a management professional in a Fortune 500 Company, he talks about real-world career advice on job search, interviews, career advancement, and hiring the right people for the team. As the editor-in-chief, he works with career experts around the world to provide working professionals with realistic and actionable career advice that can help even the average joe in the corporate world achieve success in their career. He is on a mission to provide actionable and reliable information that can create a positive change for each of his readers.Currently, A.C. is authoring a new book that will helps individuals to get out of procrastination and unlock their hidden talents.
