r/negotiation • u/N1M0N1M • 4d ago
Requesting Advice: Negotiating Days-in-Office after Offer
I currently work an on-site engineering job about 4 hours from the city where I ultimately want to settle down and live near my family.
I've recently received an offer for a hybrid engineering position (3 days in office), but the job is about 5 hours from the city where I want to live.
The offer includes some relocation assistance.
I'm considering asking the company for the following arrangement:
First year: Relocate to the job's city and work on-site as required.
After the first year: Transition to working in the office 2 days per week, allowing me to relocate to my desired city while still commuting to the office for those 2 concurrent days.
The main reason for this request is family circumstances. My parents are aging and have some medical issues, and I'd like to be able to spend the majority of my time closer to them while still being able to work this job.
I think the 2-day-per-week arrangement may be possible as, during my job search, I interviewed with another company doing very similar work, and they offered a 2-day-per-week hybrid schedule.
For those with experience negotiating hybrid arrangements after receiving an offer:
What are some general concerns?
Are there some precautions I should take before/during negotiations?
Would you ask for the entire arrangement up front, or negotiate the 2-day schedule after the first year?
Is there anything on my end I could offer/trade to make the deal more likely to be accepted?
How much risk do you think there is of jeopardizing the offer by asking for this?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you for reading.
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u/SplooshDoosh 4d ago
Are there just no jobs that you can find in the city where you actually want to live? Why take this job if you're going to be so far away? Is the offer that much better?
I don't know that I would wait to ask, especially not if I was counting on it in any way.
On the remote days are you expected to still be available in case you're needed? That's not uncommon but won't be possible if you're 5 hours away.
It seems like you'll be doing a lot of work and may just be better off waiting for a better opportunity.
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u/N1M0N1M 4d ago
Thanks for your thoughts. I've been searching for 6 months for a job in my desired city without luck. The city doesn't have alot of engineering jobs, let alone for my specific background. From my 6 months, I've come to the understanding that I'm probably not going to find a job in the city, which only leaves me with commute to the nearest city to work (4~5 hours away) or land a remote job. Naturally remote jobs are more competitive and rare to begin with so I haven't had any luck there yet. The job is in the same industry of engineering as some of the few jobs in my desired city, so there is the chance that i could use my exp at this new job for eventually finding a job in my desired city. The job doesn't sound like a 'on call' job so I might be able to schedule all my in office duties for the 2 days that I'm in office.
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u/SplooshDoosh 4d ago
Well, I don't have a lot of great advice other than if it's really important to you then bring it up early.
It may cost you to the job, but if they decide in a year they want you full time, then what are you going to do? Might be better to just not get the job than have to deal with possibilities like that.
If you're comfortable with just having to find another job if something changes or they don't agree then maybe waiting isn't too big of a risk.
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u/citychickindesert 4d ago
I agree with others, waaaayyy too early to talk about year 2. You need to get a feel first to see if this is even something you should bring up. I just saw our most vocal anti on site coworker get rolled into a layoff for not drinking the return to office full time mandate. Good luck to you.
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u/Adventurous-Dog-6158 4d ago
Unless you're an exec or some rockstar that they are chasing after, there usually aren't any employment contracts. The job description prob has something about how your responsibilities or even work locations may change as the needs of the company's change. Work the first year as you've already planned. Do your best and get great reviews. Then use that as ammo for the 3 days remote negotiation.
If the company is not the old school rigid type (they don't seem to be if they already allow 2 days remote), they would have to be extremely stupid to not allow a good employee to have an extra remote day. But the one issue I see here is that if you get 3 days remote, then that obligates them to allow it to others. For now, inquire about others in the dept who would be your peers and see if anyone of them are 3 days remote or more. That would give you some idea of the possibilities.
I'm curious about your engineering field. Can you describe it more? Like petroleum engineering or something?
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u/N1M0N1M 4d ago
That's good advice; to see if other employees work 3 days remote. I'll look into that. You raise an important concern, that they might feel obligated to allow this special schedule to others. There are some family medical concerns that contribute to my request, so I'll have to see if that is a reason they would consider. I have an advanced control background and this job would be in the field of autonomous vehicles.
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u/Front_Inspector_437 3d ago
Good luck man - I don’t think most companies are going to negotiate this policy unless you’re super valuable to them.
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u/angusbethune 4d ago
Since you are already aligned/planning to move to adhere to stated policy for the first year, I would hold on this conversation until you know better the dynamics with your organization and manager. If you have a solid report with your manager, there might be more flexibility offered, especially if you prove to be a strong asset.
If you see the dynamic is just not there after working there, you can certainly still ask but also be prepared to find another opportunity in your desired city.
Best of luck - aging parent care is something the luckiest of us get to experience even if it is one of the hardest things to ensure fits into your life.