Work From Home (Optional Privilege)

Our work-from-home optional privilege is designed to offer flexibility that enhances both productivity and the overall well-being of our employees. We understand the importance of balancing work responsibilities with personal life, and this policy aims to make that balance easier. While work-from-home is a privilege, not a right, we believe that with the right structure, it can help improve focus and efficiency while also reducing the stress and time associated with commuting. The goal is to ensure that working from home boosts productivity, not hinders it, while allowing our employees to enjoy greater comfort and flexibility in their day-to-day lives.

Work From Home

It’s important to understand that this policy is an option and a privilege. Work-from-home is not provided in an effort to reduce office cost, and in fact, does not reduce our office cost in any way. WFH is intended for employees who prefer a more flexible commute in order to reduce commute time. 

• If you do not wish to work-from-home, please come in every day for your full 8 hours!!!
• If your productivity slides, we will ask you to stop working from home.

8 Hour Work Day & Commute Time

Every employee is expected to work 8 hours per day. We highly recommend taking a 30-60 minute lunch break, which means an 8.5-9 hour block of time  if you do not work from home. If you choose to work-from-home, be aware that your commute time does not count towards your working hours. If you live 15 minutes from the office, then that means a 9-9.5 hour block of time in total.

Productivity Expectations

Productivity remains the number one focus of the work-from-home policy. Employees are expected to maintain eight hours of productivity each day, regardless of their work location. In-office time is crucial for certain roles, particularly those involving management or direct interaction with agents (DIPs). These roles require face-to-face communication and hands-on management, which makes in-office time critical for maintaining productivity and collaboration.

Availability Expectations

WFH does not mean that you're not expected to be at the office if something pops up. If you need to be in the office to accomplish your work, and it falls outside of the hours that you prefer to be at home, you need to be in the office. If an agent needs to meet you for something, if a co-worker needs to collaborate with you, or if you need to take delivery of something - these are all reasons why you need to come into the office. If you're in the office for 8 hours one day, it doesn't mean you "make it up" by only coming in for 4 the following day.

Taking Lunch

We strongly recommend that you take lunch, whether you're working from home or in the office. Stepping outside of the office and taking a break from work is very good for your mental health. As is standard in offices across the country, your lunch break does not count towards your 8 hours.

Baseline Work From Home Scenario

The baseline work-from-home arrangement allows for flexibility while ensuring office presence. Baseline is 28 hours/week in office and 12 at home. 6 hours/day M-Th + 4 hours on Fri.

Mon-Thurs

Employees are required to work 6 hours in the office Monday through Thursday, starting no later than 10 a.m and no earlier than 8am. Lunch breaks do not count toward the required office time, and employees may leave once they’ve completed 6 hours of in-office work.

• Example: Begin day at home at 8:45am for 1 hour. Drive 15 minutes to office from 9:45-10am. Take a 30 minute lunch break. Drive 15 minutes home from 3:45-4pm. Work from home 4-6pm. 8 hours work time total.

Fridays

On Fridays, employees must spend a minimum of 4 hours in the office, starting no later than 10 a.m., after which they may work from home for the remainder of the day. Despite this flexibility, employees are still expected to complete 8 hours of productive work daily. Commuting time does not count toward this eight-hour total, even if work calls are made during the commute.

• Friday Example: Begin day at home at 8:45am. Drive 15 minutes to office from 9:45-10am. Take a 30 minute lunch break. Drive home from 2:30-2:45. Work from home 2:45-6pm. 8 hours work time total.

This schedule is designed to allow employees to avoid rush hour traffic. Employees should start their day at home by checking email and Basecamp on their company-provided laptop, commute during off-peak hours, and finish their workday at home after leaving the office before traffic builds up.

Role-Specific Work-from-Home Capacity

Different company roles have varying needs regarding work-from-home arrangements. Managerial roles and positions that require frequent direct interaction with agents benefit greatly from in-office time. These roles often involve frequent collaboration, supervision, and direct communication, which is more effective in person.

On the other hand, roles that do not involve managing others or working closely with agents are generally more suited for remote work. These roles can often maintain or even increase productivity in a remote environment without sacrificing collaboration or performance.

Dedicated Home Work Environment

Employees must have a dedicated home workspace to qualify for additional work-from-home privileges. This setup should include a desk, often a second monitor, and a keyboard. Having a designated workspace helps create a mental shift into "work mode," which can improve focus and productivity. Working from the couch or dining room table is not acceptable, as these areas are not conducive to sustained productivity. While a separate room is not required, it is considered ideal for maintaining focus.

Work From Home Exceptions

One-off work-from-home days may be granted for personal reasons, such as caring for a spouse, pet, or attending to personal matters. Employees should simply request approval, and in most cases, approval will be granted as long as productivity is not impacted.

Highly productive employees who have proven that they can be equally or more productive at home may be granted additional work-from-home privileges. In some cases, these employees may achieve a level of trust that allows them to work from home without needing prior approval. However, even for these employees, in-office time remains important for building relationships and maintaining the company culture.

Productivity Tracking

To be eligible for WFH, you must have ActivTrak installed and running on your computer.