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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not pay for his work space?

221 replies

pumpkinsp1ce · 27/09/2021 13:49

NC for this. Bit of background: I line manage an employee who is just finishing his probationary period. He's great, no issues with performance and we are happy to keep him on and he wants to stay. He is a junior team member, works in a non client facing role and since he started with us he has worked from home 3 days with 2 days in the office, which works for him and us, and we're happy for him to continue with that arrangement for the foreseeable future.

However he has just let me know that he is moving a 3 hour journey from the city where we are based, and going forward he wants to request that we pay for a co-working space in his town of residence where he can work for his "home working" days. The place he has found is NOT cheap, though I'm not sure of the going rate for such as everyone here either works from our (perfectly fine) office or from their home. He would still travel into the office for the 2 days a week.

The reason for him "needing" the co-working space is that he is moving in with his partner and child and there is "no space" there for him to work from home.

Not sure what to do in this situation. We have been happy to continue to accommodate hybrid working since COVID where it is the employees' choice, which seems to presume they have the space at home to work from home. We aren't a big business and we pay our employees decently due to the city where we are based, but this co working space is a fairly big overhead when technically he does have an office here should he need it.

AIBU to refuse this request to cover the cost of his "wfh" space? Happy for him to continue to wfh 3 days a week if he has the space and resources to do so, but he's now saying he doesn't! WWYD?

OP posts:
Notaroadrunner · 27/09/2021 14:36

No. Tell him that is not something that is offered to staff. He can figure out a way to wfh, find and pay for his own space or piss off and get a job nearer his new home.

Original poster
pumpkinsp1ce · 27/09/2021 14:36

for the PP who asked, we are a professional services company, sorry I don't want to be more specific as paranoid about this ending up in the DM! Yes, I'm sure it would be fine to work from a coffee shop as his work is not highly confidential and he doesn't have many meetings at his level. Harsh as it sounds he is junior and the skillset is not niche, we could fill his role in our city with relative ease as the job received well over 100 applications originally. Don't want to lose him but it has set me on edge a little.

OP posts:
PlonkyWillyWonky · 27/09/2021 14:37

@PearLime

Lol- this is hilarious. The cheek!

I'd just say:
Sorry that won't work for us. Your probation is coming up, let's discuss then.

At the probation make it clear that the job offer stands on the same terms (ie 2 days in the office 3 days wfh) if he wants it. No paying for work space. If he doesn't want it you wish him luck. Then give him 2 weeks to confirm.

Surely as a junior he'd be easy to replace?

Precisely this I'm surprised you have to ask
PearLime · 27/09/2021 14:38

Don't want to lose him

Take a step back- he is new, junior, and made a ridiculously impractical (cheeky!) request in his probation period.

I don't think you're losing that much tbh.

NewlyGranny · 27/09/2021 14:39

No, no and no! It sets a precedent that, if followed by all employees, would soon drive any company out of business. Employee has a choice: to work in the office or from home; not to set up random alternative office space and expect the employer to fund it.

WFH isn't for everyone and that's what the office is for. This suggestion is entitlement running out of control. If he were the CEO, perhaps, not otherwise!

CharityDingle · 27/09/2021 14:40

@PearLime

Don't want to lose him

Take a step back- he is new, junior, and made a ridiculously impractical (cheeky!) request in his probation period.

I don't think you're losing that much tbh.

Agreed. He is trying to make it your problem that he moved and doesn't have space to wfh. Confused

Then he works in the office full time, is the solution, imo.

timeisnotaline · 27/09/2021 14:40

@PearLime

Don't want to lose him

Take a step back- he is new, junior, and made a ridiculously impractical (cheeky!) request in his probation period.

I don't think you're losing that much tbh.

This.
Lolapusht · 27/09/2021 14:42

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Once I’d stopped laughing I’d say something along the lines of “Well now. That sounds like a you problem? But no, we won’t be funding your life choices.”

He’s got more front than Blackpool! How do people even think of these things and then somehow think they’re reasonable requests?!

Bontanics · 27/09/2021 14:42

You already do pay for his workspace. In the office. If he doesn't want to use it he can pay for his own working space.

littlefireseverywhere · 27/09/2021 14:43

Yes, if he can't work from home if home isn't suitable then he needs to work from the office, or he makes alternate arrangements, not the company!

Otherwise, I've found a nice place in Mauritius!

Chloemol · 27/09/2021 14:43

Nope. His choice to move. If he can’t wfh he comes to the office

NewlyGranny · 27/09/2021 14:43

Who voted the 1% YABU? Was that fat finger syndrome or is Mr Cheek on here himself?!

MadeForThis · 27/09/2021 14:46

Wow. Some cheek!

Username7521 · 27/09/2021 14:47

What @anniegun

The industry I work in is talent short. I would pay. In fact due to having to attract talent from all over the Uk I’ve moved us to totally working in coworking spaces so generally there is an office where they are based.

Threewheeler1 · 27/09/2021 14:47

Is he taking the piss?
Because I want to work from home from Switzerland and I want someone else to pay for it but I currently live in the west of England, will this be a problem?

TooWicked · 27/09/2021 14:48

If you agree to this, what will you do when the next employee asks for it, and says “well you agreed to it for Mr Cheeky Fucker”.

Snoozer11 · 27/09/2021 14:49

It's cheeky and not what I would do.

But maybe he thought "theres no harm in asking" / "shy bairns get nowt" etc.

Just say it's too expensive, and if he really can't work from home then he'll have to look at other options - library, Costa, the office etc etc.

He'll either accept it or resign. I don't get what the problem is.

EmoIsntDead · 27/09/2021 14:49

His problem, not yours. I don't understand why you're feeling so uneasy about this tho? Surely you realise he's being ridiculous and a CF?

Viviennemary · 27/09/2021 14:50

No. Can't see why you woukd agree to this.

TractorAndHeadphones · 27/09/2021 14:51

@EmoIsntDead

His problem, not yours. I don't understand why you're feeling so uneasy about this tho? Surely you realise he's being ridiculous and a CF?
Exactly OP - as a manager in a professional services firm I'd expect you to be more assertive. He's a highly replaceable junior employee. What are you so afraid of? Say no, and if he hands in his notice that's it.
ArcheryAnnie · 27/09/2021 14:51

If your company had downsized the central office, with a view to WFH being mandatory for employees, I can see a scenario where a modest budget would be available to any employee to put towards WFH conditions, whether that means buying a shed to work in, installing a soundproof door to the boxroom, or renting a bit of WeWork space.

But if the office is just as it is, then no, no, no. You have already provided your workers an office. You don't pay twice.

BasicDad · 27/09/2021 14:52

What does his employment contract state? I'm certain it won't state provision for this. If he's on a WFH contract he may be entitled to claim expenses, so watch for that.

I would simply state that you are unable to fund additional workspaces as it would set a precedent for other employees to do the same, and to say that it is the employees responsibility to ensure they are able to work from home with hybrid working.

TractorAndHeadphones · 27/09/2021 14:53

@Username7521

What *@anniegun*

The industry I work in is talent short. I would pay. In fact due to having to attract talent from all over the Uk I’ve moved us to totally working in coworking spaces so generally there is an office where they are based.

OP has already said that he's highly replaceable.
GivenUpEntirely · 27/09/2021 14:54

I do work in a niche role and filling my job if I left would take the better part of a year and even then my employer would be lucky to secure someone at my level on the salary they're now allowed to offer...even with all that in consideration my manager would laugh her arse off if I made such a ridiculous request and suggest I re-evaluate my position in the company if I was being serious.

WFH is really tough, we genuinely don't have the space but if I wanted a quiet space to WFH that isn't the office then I'd expect to pay for it myself.

DGFB · 27/09/2021 14:54

No, he can either come into the office or work from home. His “space” issues at home are not your problem!