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.

[KeepingPlain]

Employer- because I agreed my salary based on certain assumptions about what it would cost me to do my job. That has now changed and my employer is benefitting by not having to heat the office or pay the catering company. I am, however, now bearing those costs. Why should I?

Because its your home, not your employers. Your employer used to pay a catering company so you didn't even have to pay for lunch? As someone else said, others have lost their jobs, can't find new ones and may struggle to buy food let alone pay for heating. You've got it pretty good, put a jumper on, use blankets and tell your husband to suck it up.

[Teateaandmoretea]

because I agreed my salary based on certain assumptions about what it would cost me to do my job.

What about the people who work in decimated industries?

[AldiAisleofCrap]

That’s ridiculous people save from no commute, eat lunch at home. Less work clothes - only for zoom etc. No need to claim for heating!

[Figbee]

Have you asked management? I know, crazy right.

Good to see so many people are arsed about people struggling through without heat though, I trust people will help push for people who cannot afford to heat their homes every winter to receive a fairer income.

[CheetasOnFajitas]

@BadTattoosAndSmellLikeBooze

Is your office open to work in by arrangement. I know someone who complained about the extra electricity he was using by working at home. His company arranged for him to work at the office with a few others who couldn’t work at home. I don’t think that was the outcome he wanted though so be careful. 😬

Only open for extreme cases of people being unable to work from home. Threshold is very high. I’d have no problem going in if it were an option, I was back in before the latest announcement.

[AldiAisleofCrap]

@Xiaoxiong your landlord is breaking the law.

[CheetasOnFajitas]

@Teateaandmoretea

because I agreed my salary based on certain assumptions about what it would cost me to do my job.

What about the people who work in decimated industries?

And the starving in Africa?

[AldiAisleofCrap]

I’d have no problem going in if it were an option thankfully your boss is thinking about others even if you are not. @CheetasOnFajitas

[Teateaandmoretea]

@CheetasOnFajitas well quite, makes it even worse really

[Oddbutnotodd]

Haven’t read all the thread but given the present situation , YABU. Be grateful for what you have.

[middleager]

Some of these suggestions are impractical and silly.

I work close to where I live so not many commuting costs.

I have always taken my own lunch and coffee so no savings there.

If schools are off (and I have one in SI at home right now) there will be four of us WFH. We can't work in one room, heated.

My house takes a lot to heat (my old one did not). Previously I have wfh under electric blanket but this year I cannot expect 4 of us to do that (while trying to look professional in Zoom calls).

Then again DH still expected to use own phone and his own old laptop even though he works for a massive employer!

[GreySkyClouds]

You should be able to go into the office if you can’t afford to work at home. Tell your line manager and HR that you’re worried about financial difficulties.

[GreySkyClouds]

You say the office is open for extreme situations. If you can’t afford to keep warm at home that is extreme.

[CheetasOnFajitas]

@Teateaandmoretea

I am 🤦🏻‍♀️ by this being the most of people’s problems right now in all this utter shit show.

If you have a white collar wfh job you are so lucky. For the majority of people not having to wear smart clothes for work/ travel expenses/ office present contributions they will be better off.

I’m sure someone will be along a minute to say they earn 16k, work next door where they are provided with uniform, live hand to mouth and have a payg meter that costs a fortune. In which case I have sympathy but if this isn’t you take a look in the mirror

Where did anyone say it was “the most of their problems?”. I missed the rule that said you can only talk about the biggest and most important issue in your life.

The fact that a significant number of posters have confirmed that their employers DO have a policy in place would suggest that it is perfectly reasonable to expect some sort of adjustment if the other factura allow (eg overall health of business). And to the poster who suggested that I ask management, part of the point of this post was to see what other employers might be doing, in order to gauge whether raising the issue was appropriate.

[TollgateDebs]

I already worked from home regularly, so have toasty tights / leisure wear bottoms and socks / sheepskin slippers. I have a blanket (makes a real difference) I wrap around my legs and get up regularly for hot drinks, on the desk in a thermos mug. Fingerless gloves are good for hand heat retention, just get a well fitting pair. Just make sure you heat where you work and not the whole home, so turn down other radiators and focus on the area you are working in. No allowance money wise, but it really is offset against travel / wear and tear on the car and the money saved elsewhere for incidentals (stuff I didn't need but seemed to buy). Fleece tops work well, as hold in the heat, but not too heavy to wear and much easier to wash and dry.

[CheetasOnFajitas]

@AldiAisleofCrap

I’d have no problem going in if it were an option thankfully your boss is thinking about others even if you are not. *@CheetasOnFajitas*

Not sure I follow?

[ShandlersWig]

Obviously you both need to give up work and go on benefits.

Clearly the only answer. Give your job to someone who would find the positives and not dismiss evey poster who's tried, in order to justy your stance that your employer should pay your heating costs.

[LindaEllen]

I WFM but as self-employed, so I can claim a bit of money back for bills. However, it's swings and roundabouts. There are things you're saving on, too. No buying food as you can grab something out of the fridge (cheaper than a Starbucks lunch or wherever you normally go) and you're not spending a single penny on your commute!

All in all I'd suggest you wouldn't be out of pocket.

[Figbee]

Of course it's appropriate to ask management if it's something of concern, especially as a line manager. As long as you don't say omg I'm quitting if you say no, but enquire then what's the issue?

[nosswith]

What you will save in clothes over time should more than cover this, even if you walked/cycled to the office beforehand. And savings for making your own lunch.

[CheetasOnFajitas]

@ShandlersWig

Obviously you both need to give up work and go on benefits.

Clearly the only answer. Give your job to someone who would find the positives and not dismiss evey poster who's tried, in order to justy your stance that your employer should pay your heating costs.

You mean my stance that my employer should continue to bear the cost of keeping me warm while I work for them, as they have done for the last 10 years?

[Elai1978]

Costs me £400/month normally to commute. I’m loving WFH!

[CrunchyNutNC]

@Xiaoxiong

Our landlord controls the heat in our house and it doesn't get switched on until the end of October and then off in March (freezing cold high ceilings, no double glazing or insulation, etc). I've got a whole system to keep warm at my desk on cold days - electric blanket across my knees, big blanket scarves, thermals under tops AND trousers, flannel-lined jeans, stand up at least once an hour to move around or you really get cold. I have been known to wear a hat at my desk.

The only thing I haven't solved is my hands getting cold while typing. Wrist warmers don't cover my fingers, and I can't type in gloves.

For long typing sessions learn to touch type and put a small fleece blanket over your whole keyboard!

[Unescorted]

Sciurus83 is your agency not paying the £6pw? As soon as our offices closed it was paid into our wages.

Ours also upgraded our IT, sent large monitors and office chairs to our homes if we wanted them. My home set up is no different to working in the office.

I guess we are expensive to replace so they want to make sure we aren't tempted to leave. Also by treating us well we are working harder and longer in a counter cyclical part of the economy.

[LovelyLovelyMe]

You shouldn't have to subsidise your office if they are saving on heating costs.

Ask if they are open to paying a percentage of your bill, maybe paying the difference between your energy bill pre and post WFH. Proof in the shape of the bill would have to be provided.

It would be far easier of course if the employer didn't have to be asked-as this could be awkward. Ideally, it would be great to have a WFH payment straight from the government.