Have this conversation with your boss: You: “I have a hard time being around people all day. I can interact fine over IRC/Skype/etc., but in-person interaction

Have this conversation with your boss: You: “I have a hard time being around people all day. I can interact fine over IRC/Skype/etc., but in-person interaction drains me. It affects my productivity.” <I paraphrase> Boss: “Would it help if you worked remotely, say, one day a week...?” You: “Yes.” Boss: “Then do that. And get some headphones for the other days. Never mind, here, take mine.” If your boss doesn’t follow this script, or one very close to it, then you might want to get a new boss. No, I’m serious. The very best managers don’t care where or when or how you work; they care about your work. (And they also want to know they can reach you when they absolutely need to reach you. For, like, something important.)