To expect my work to pay for broadband and other wfh expenses?

[Zazzii]

Since last March like many of us I have been working from home - I have a work laptop and phone and use our spare room. I had always worked the odd day at home when it was convenient for wating in for deliveries/ appointments etc but only once or twice a month. I, and line manager etc, were happy with this but it was seen as a bit of a perk

Now that working from home is established as the 'new normal' is it wrong for me to expect my employer to cover my broadband costs? They dont seem inclined to give us anything telling us that as we have it already there is no increased costs for us of using it for an additional 7 hours a day.

It is vital for the business that we are connected therefore the cost should be met by the business. Plans from teh summer are for us to continue working from home at least for part of the week so it will be long term.

I undertsand that they dont want to get involved in discussions about individual broadband contracts etc but a standard amount for all staff - say £30 a month?, £40?- should be part of our expenses claim. Or do I need to accept it as part of the new way of working?

Then there are other expenses which I have incurred over the past year - bigger things like the heating and electricity during the day but also small things like the coffee, tea and other refreshments I would normally expect to have at work which I have had to pay for.

I havent reduced any costs in other areas - my commute is 2 miles by bike so negilible cost and time saving.

Am I being unreasonable? Would it be unreasonable to try and rally my fellow workers to ask for this?

The tea and coffee thing ...
Please don't raise this with your employers. It's embarrassingly tight.

During lockdown 1 as I said in a previous post my employer gave everyone £100
To cover additional expenses.

At work I have a two screen set up. Proper chair etc. At home I work from my own laptop via Remote Desktop. I was told I could get my second screen but with no seperate office at home a d two toddlers I decided against it as didn’t want it to get damaged.

I spoke to the boss the other day about this. Apparently I could claim half the cost if I’d bought a laptop (to a max amount) or a screen or a chair etc. I didn’t as no space.

But we’re gradually going back in the office. I now wfh 1 day a week with the rest in the office.

Round here, second hand desks and office chairs on FB marketplace are going for about £80 and £50 respectively. Not to mention the need for a vehicle and cost of petrol to pick them up.

Even employers who haven't renegotiated a rent deduction on their commercial work premises and benefitted from a rates freeze will be making huge savings in heating and lighting during this pandemic. And the reduced wear and tear on carpets and furnishings, especially if they have an FRI lease (which is relatively common).

I honestly think it's appalling that employers expect employees to provide their business with a workspace at short notice and furnish it at their own cost.

Imagine the luxury of being able to order a desk and office chair new, delivery included, and not be taxed on it.

Mind you, until this country catches up and makes commuting costs to work deductible from your income tax bill, it seems that the British will be content to scratch a living, as long as big business isn't inconvenienced.

@BarbaraofSeville

lots of people work in the town they live in. Certainly everyone I know travels no further than 20min/10mile by car for work

I live less than 10 miles from my office by car but I'm still saving 90 minutes a day by not driving there, and at least £50 a month on fuel so hardly negligible. Utilities might be have gone up £20 a month but a good portion of that is due to increased prices not higher usage.

I'm not disagreeing, I'm just pointing out it's not the same for everyone. 10miles here takes 15-20mins max. I said my fuel costs are negligible not yours. My energy bills have increased by approx £60/70 a month and my rates are only due to increase as of next month having previously been frozen. My employer have made it clear there will be no financial support for WFH which I accept but I am definitely out of pocket having two people home all day everyday Vs an empty house.

Mind you, until this country catches up and makes commuting costs to work deductible from your income tax bill, it seems that the British will be content to scratch a living, as long as big business isn't inconvenienced.

I doubt it ever will. Commuting isn't good for the environment.

@changi

Mind you, until this country catches up and makes commuting costs to work deductible from your income tax bill, it seems that the British will be content to scratch a living, as long as big business isn't inconvenienced.

I doubt it ever will. Commuting isn't good for the environment.

Who gives a toss about the environment ?

Who gives a toss about the environment

The government.

I commute in a 4x4 that barely tops 20 mpg.

@changi

Who gives a toss about the environment

The government.

I commute in a 4x4 that barely tops 20 mpg.

Can't see any evidence the government cares about the environment.

Nor many people, come to that.

They might say they do because it's easy. But really ?

Commuting tax deductible? First class all the way then? Living outside of London and commuting in? Deductible?

No issues would arise there...

Should I claim for the additional costs of toilet paper when wfh?

It's worth more to me to be there for my kids in the morning and evening, if only to say hello before carrying on.

Can't see any evidence the government cares about the environment

You didn't notice the ban on the sale of IC engined cars being brought forward from 2040 to 2030?

YABU, be grateful you have a job.
Your wifi is not costing you anymore than it did before March 2020 and tea/coffee is a perk not essential (I'm sure a lot of places don't supply this as an essential)

So many people are without jobs due to this pandemic and your worried about a few ££ towards your wifi & drinks.

I’m surprised you’re not asking your employer to contribute to the costs of your slippers. After all, you must be wearing them out so much faster now that you’re wearing them all day, every day

This made me laugh because YES, I have had to replace my slippers twice because they are all I've worn for a year. Not complaining though, happy to wear the cost in order to WFH

The amount DH has saved in expensive train travel has far exceeded any additional costs he has incurred from working from home. I think this could be true for many people. We did upgrade broadband though to cope with Dh on important work Teams meetings and DC home schooling and we needed all you can use data to do everything. This is still cheaper than train travel and parking at station though.

@changi

Can't see any evidence the government cares about the environment

You didn't notice the ban on the sale of IC engined cars being brought forward from 2040 to 2030?

Not really. You shit use a shit tonne of energy and carbon building anything.

If you really want to help the environment, you need less stuff. It's that simple.

Can't see any evidence the government cares about the environment.

Higher taxes on cars with higher emissions, lower taxes on cars without.

Climate change levy.

Ban on sale of new petrol cars brought forward.

All manner of schemes to encourage energy efficient such as insulation grants etc

Enhanced tax reliefs for businesses investing in energy efficient buildings/plants.

But, no, governments aren't doing anything are they?

I think companies can't win. If they make people come into the office then there will be complaints and people worried about exposure, and if they tell people to WFH you now get people complaining about the extra expenses. A lot of these companies will have suffered financially themselves.

Personally I'd love to a) be able to wfh and not in a shared office/factory, b) not be on furlough, and c) not be at threat of redundancy.

In the first lockdown I worked most of it in the office and yes it was annoying having to buy my own coffee/tea/milk as the company got rid of the supply, and was annoying effectively acting as a cleaner and doing the job of 10 people but I understood the situation.

OP all you can do is speak to HR and ask if they will let you work in the office, albeit maybe alone.