To wonder about the heating bills for WFH?

[CheetasOnFajitas]

It’s occurred to me, now that colder weather has set in and it looks like those who can do so will be WFH for the next 6 months- the heating bills are going to be through the roof!

Has anyone’s employer acknowledged that home-based employees are going to have to bear this cost? I know for some it will be offset by no commuting costs, but not for all: my husband and I cycle to work normally.

I do acknowledge that I am personally lucky to (a) have a job that can be done from home and (b) have a job at all.

@Porcupineinwaiting

Do you get your tiny violin out for farmers and shop workers too *@unmarkedbythat*? Asking for a friend.

Depends really. Are they the type to tell people facing a pressure on finances that they should be grateful to work? If your friend wants compassion, they can extend it or expect to hear that they should be grateful they have a business or farm in the first place.

Offset it against the reduced travel costs.

My employer says we'll be saving money on commuting to offset the heat.

Only my kids go to school near my office, so I am now doing the full commute twice a day, and wave hello at my office when I pass, then coming home and turning on the heat.

@OpEd

Offset it against the reduced travel costs.

Do they charge for cycle lanes where you live?

@thecatsthecats you said I'm afraid I take a dim view of any whining after extras from my staff.

All I said was that I worked in a completely different environment so you could not compare what I was saying to the “whining” that you felt your own staff were doing. I did not say that your overall comments were irrelevant.

xiaozong Sorry I cant do your name. I used to work in world’s coldest magistrates court. Had to do shorthand which requires dexterity. I have Raynauds in my fingers.
But cheap fingeless gloves were amazing. Kept enough of my digits warm to still do my Pittman’s!

I suppose there’s a bit more leeway in what you wear whilst working and what you can do at home eg lay a blanket over you or wear a fluffy dressing down over your WFH outfit

Yabu. There must be some other savings. Eg I'm saving on contact lenses, work clothes/laundry/dry cleaning/bike maintenance/coffee out etc when wfh. I'm stingy with my heating so hopefully it won't cost much more

Every employee and employer has their own financial circumstance. Some posters on here are assuming costs notwithstanding those that haven't read the OP properly before keyboard warrior within take over.
Just make sure you're not out of pocket guys 👍

Are you taking the reduced time and cost in commuting?
Yes your home costs will increase through electric etc, and there are tax benefits you can claim to help with this - please also bear in mind the time and money you will also be saving by not having to travel to/from work each day.

Veteran of working from home for too many years.

Good old Fruit of the Loom thermal vests & leggings are good, fingerless gloves and this year, since there are now 3 of us working from home...Oodies.

Giant enough to wear over anything & pull off to Skype/Zoom etc if needed.

Also, I love my Woolsies slippers, real wool and gorgeously warm.

Being menopausal & well into The Great Husking I end up chucking most things on & off a billion times a day (which, I’ll be honest, has saved on heating bills for the past few years). And we have two giant fluffy hounds who loaf under our desks.

Move around at least once an hour, even if just to make a brew or let the dogs out. Chilly thermal mug filled with tea as well.

We’re lucky, with 2 of us in our small home office & lots of desktops/laptops servers heating the room. I don’t think we’ve ever claimed anything back on our accounts for heating allowances, not since the first year.

TL;DR layers, computers, moving around, hot drinks, thermals, slippers, Oodies, menopause. And two giant hounds.

Self employed people, with all due respect ought to be excluded from the main discussion right?

Sorry excluded is the wrong term.
Correction are we talking solely about people that normally would be working outside their own home as in house bills rise whilst WFH?
Blooming fortune imho

Layers don’t have to be fancy or expensive. I have branded thermals, but also have plenty of Primark basic vests, leggings, slippers, big knickers etc. The secret’s in layering under your business attire, as well as throwing on cardigans or fleece or more when you can. And keep moving.

If you have zero commuting costs and an employer who provides free lunches and hot drinks, your costs will increase.

However I cannot see why an employer should have to pay for these any more than they pay for expensive commutes for those who need them.

It is swings and roundabouts really....

Exclude self employed people? Squeeze me? I’ve been on NMW for the past year, so hardly Mrs Moneybags (even though self employed). Running a business, from home or otherwise is bloody expensive. Saving money on heating or other costs is a universal need.

And when is anyone’s opinion any less valid?

The OP wanted tips on staying warm while WFH. Some of us have given practical advice based on experience. Self employment really doesn’t come into the argument!

My employer are giving £13/ month towards “home working costs” - this is front line workers who are generally on low-ish but not minimum wages. Me and dh usually walk / cycle and take lunch so no savings there for us (we already scrimp ha!) I’ve just been reading about this on money advice plus and it seems thermostatic valves in individual rooms is cheapest way to go... I am always cold though so have a good array of thermal vests and a hot water bottle too! But yes if it’s genuinely costing you to wfh then I think employers need to consider this. I think the £13 is about right actually.

We are getting the £6 a week directly with our pay. It's really very cold in winter where I work st home so it's all going to get used, and I am looking for better slippers!

For us, the heating costs will be massively outweighed by the saving in commuting costs (petrol for me, train fare and parking for DH), buying lunches / coffees, and childcare (no need for DC to go to after school club as we're both at home).

Op my employer gave us a tax free payment a few months ago which at the time equated to £6 a week for our working from home expenses. They are due to do that again in a few months.

Lots of us don't actually save a lot of money by WAH. I always used to take food in for example and rarely ate out, as worked in central London and refused to pay the astronomical prices for a sandwich.

Dh and I are saving almost £1k per month on commuting and after school childcare fees.

I work in HR in a civil service department, we've had this raised a few times and we haven't had a firm stance on it yet. I think the way it's heading is that if you are in a position where you are losing money ie. had no commute prior etc. Then you may be able to claim for something but they recognise that the majority of people will be saving so there won't be a blanket approach. I definitely think it's reasonable to ask the question!

Our heating stays on permanently even when we aren’t here. We set it atv19.5 degrees all the way through winter and allow it to drop to 18.5 overnight. That has been the best cost saving way for heating for us. (We ran an experiment several years ago).
We have oil now snd I still think it’s the best option.

Our heating stays on permanently even when we aren’t here. We set it atv19.5 degrees all the way through winter and allow it to drop to 18.5 overnight. That has been the best cost saving way for heating for us

The Energy Saving Trust doesn't recommend it...

www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/energy-saving-myths/

As a small business we're still having to pay rent on an office we cannot use; we have had absolutely zero government help and are just trying to keep our heads above water and keep our employees in jobs. We really don't need to be handed yet more expenses to cover.