This is how I pad-trained my chihuahua and now my Yorkie. After they went potty, I wiped the pee/poo spot with the training pad and put it down by the outside door. They both got the hint and went on the pad after that. Soooo EASY! And since they associated the pad with the outside door, I put a pad on the outside right next to the door and from there it was easy to train them to the outside. Of course, I had to out-wait them but they eventually started using the outside whether it was on the grass or cement. Now they use both and it's nice for living in N CA where we get all kinds of bad weather in winter. Good luck! Did I mention my chi is Over the Rainbow Bridge and my Yorkie is 8 months old and fully potty trained? Yep!

I just realized this will be different for you since you work outside the home. I am retired so it was easy for me.