I have thrived working remotely for the past few years, but my company changed its policy and now requires me to work in the office three days a week. I can't go back.

Q. My company just announced that we have to go back to the office three days a week. Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, I have been working remotely and it has changed my life for the better. I have lost 15 pounds by using my time off work to exercise and make healthy meals. I am less stressed and still productive, if not more so. I cried when I heard the news. And there is NO flexibility. If my child is sick, I have to take a sick day, I can’t work remotely when those situations arise, which they do. A lot! I love my job, but my life is better working remotely. Should I open my job search nationwide to try to find a new remote position?

A. Congratulations on adjusting your world to create a healthier version of yourself. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people gained time when they were no longer working in an office, but not everyone learned to use that time in a way that benefited their lives. Many people worked more, some people slept more, many people watched more TV or didn’t do things that were necessarily beneficial. Many people talked about trying to use that time for something else, but it didn’t always happen. You say there’s no flexibility, but I’m wondering what you’ve explored. Have you talked to your manager? Have you talked to HR? Who has decided there’s no flexibility? Is that just the message that’s been given?

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Many organizations have decided that having employees work in the office in a “hybrid” manner three days a week is optimal for them, in terms of developing strong cultures, ensuring teams support each other, and maintaining performance. Research shows that having people in the office three days a week has an organizational benefit. Your conversation with your manager should focus on your job responsibilities and why it wouldn’t necessarily matter whether you perform your responsibilities in the office or not.

Unfortunately, most companies don’t focus on the benefits of working from home and the work-life balance that comes with it. They focus more on the benefits the organization gets from you being physically in the office. So that’s what you need to focus on. When your child is sick, you should take time off regardless of where you work. You might be able to get some work done while your child naps, but that’s not something that should make you decide to look for a different job.

If you love your job, the first step is to talk to the organization about whether there is any flexibility. Would you be able to work two days in the office? Is that something you would be willing to accept? Can you find ways to maintain your healthy habits while you start going into the office? Can you show them actual data to support how your job can be done without having to go into the office more days than that? I have seen organizations say they need people in the office three days a week, but there has been a lot of flexibility, with people either working two days from the office or being able to work through vacations and travel and working remotely. Hopefully there is room for flexibility on a case-by-case basis. So I encourage you to start those conversations with the people at the top and those who see your corporate contributions and value to the organization.

You may be afraid to do this based on what you’ve heard, but I would still insist on that schedule first. If not, you’re making the decision to start looking. There are websites that list remote jobs. Check out some websites below. You can also develop a resume that talks about how successful you’ve been working remotely and how you can work independently. You may also find that there are other people at your company who are in the same situation as you. And you may have several people go to HR and say, “I need more notice than this. I need to arrange childcare. I may be able to work three days a week for the next 6 to 12 months.” Look for all kinds of alternatives.

If you hated your job, it would be easy to change positions, but you say you really love your job and you love the remote aspect of it. So, look at all the alternatives before you start looking for a new position.

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