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Should I be paid more to work from home?
With todays uncertain times, I should be happy to HAVE a job, I know. What's more, my employer recently offered me a work from home option, which I gladly accepted as "new options in this uncertain climate". She didn't know what it would look like, as my office position was purely client facing, and pretty straight forward.
So, here I am, a week into training for this new position from home, and it is clear that it entails so much more than I expected. Furthermore, it seems like something the "higher ups" would be doing in our office. I'm feeling like this is a double sided coin: on one hand, I GET to work from home; on the other, shouldn't I be compensated accordingly since I'll be dealing with more secure/sensitive documentation?
My question: should I ask for a raise? And since I don't normally do such things, HOW do I ask for a raise? TIA! I'm lost
Laney Balis
REALTOR® @ Align Right Realty Riverview
347
07/01/20 at 9:35PM UTC
I am going to go against the grain here. It sounds like the position you accepted is much different than your previous one. It is worth having a conversation with your manager about the change. She said she didn't know what the position would look like so I would suggest asking that question and determining the changes which include salary.
Anonymous
06/30/20 at 5PM UTC
I don't think it is the most appropriate time to ask for a raise, I would wait until things are "normal" again because this is a very uncertain time. After it all passes if you believe that you have more responsibilities, then you could talk to them, but not regarding work from home. You have to remember that in most cases home office is a benefit and you are saving with other things such as commute, for example.
Erika ThomasGlobal Brand, PR & Comms
48
06/30/20 at 3:38PM UTC (Edited)
I think right now, with so many out of work, this is conversation to save for a future performance review. Focus now on wowing your team and getting your job done. If you really want to approach the issue, subsidy to your internet bill is probably a reasonable ask. Just keep in mind that a lot of companies are experiencing unexpected budget blips, so if it's really worth it to get an extra $50 or so each month, then that's something you need to determine based on your company's current situation. That said, you should also be prepared for a counter argument that you have internet existing already - you didn't get it just to do your job.
My advice would be to save a potentially ugly "nickel and dime" scenario and use your internet bill as a tax deduction come next year.
Ellysa SmithCurator Engagement Lightkeeper
240
06/29/20 at 11:59PM UTC
Interestingly enough most people that work from home make less than their counterparts in the same role. I have worked remotely for a year and the organization never paid for my internet, or laptop, or for any software I would use. The appeal of a WFH model for a company is that it cuts overhead operational costs (for renting a space for instance, saving the company money). At the same time, I share your sentiments on asking for a raise if your job responsibilities have changed/increased. Approach it from a job skill perspective and start keeping track of new/increased skills being used now that you are at home. Just a thought, just because you see/deal with sensitive information is not enough. I have processed payroll for years and made less than every admin person in my office. I would wait it out until things level out from this pandemic before asking for a raise. Depending on your industry right now, a company be just waiting for the opportunity to cut some people. If you are perceived as "complaining" doing a little extra from home temporarily, it is possible that requesting a raise hurts you in the short term. Wait it out, and as soon as things are somewhat normal again, bring out your case for how you upskilled during the pandemic to help the organization. When you asl for a raise then, you have already proven that what you did had value, even if they deny the raise, they may still give you bonus for your efforts.
Pharberknockn07Curriculum & Training Development in Kansas City
212
06/27/20 at 8:25PM UTC
While working from home is usually viewed as a bonus, adding more work usually does come with additional benefits. Asking for that depends very much on the position of your company. If your company has made it clear that they’re on shaky ground, then now is not the time. If you’re in a booming sector, it may be appropriate. You can also keep track of the additional duties and your successes and share these at your next review point to validate your ask for a raise. Since it’s such a new role, do you have a check-in scheduled in the next 90 days? This would also be an appropriate time to bring up the differences in this new role and ask for a raise.
Anonymous
06/26/20 at 7:03PM UTC
I wouldn't suggest a raise simply because you are working from home, however, I would make sure that certain things are paid by the company. For instance, my company pays for a portion of my internet bill each month as I am using my resources to do their work. My husband's company does not which is blantlantly wrong but they haven't been in the position of having their workforce work from home before. You should be using the company resources as well, their cell, their computer etc.
Sweet Caroline
4.25k
06/26/20 at 4:07PM UTC
I would wait until things calm down with the world. Once you are settled in and performing this new role, at that time I would meet with the boss and outline what you have accomplished and the data you have collected on market rates for a role like that and what you think is fair compensation. Working from home shouldn't be a factor really, it's about the work not the location.
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