Lori, from all I have read, this is not a right fit for you. Any position, even the dreamiest dream job, comes with ups and downs, like a marriage, if you will. If you have not even started and yet are seeing so many flaws in what should be the "honey moon" period, this doesn't bode well for either of you. As for the computer and work situation: No one would have known or expected we would all be working remotely six months ago. This is noone's fault (and you should definitely not be assigning blame here). I'm surprised they're not supplying you with a computer. But everything else --Wifi, router, etc-- would be on you. You could ask for reimbursement, but that still doesn't solve the bigger issue: That you don't like this company anymore and don't want to work there. I would gracefully bow out.

Hi Lori-Ann, You mention this as a learning opportunity and it is, as most first post college interviews are. As many have said here, the computer/wifi combination is pretty standard now - especially during COVID. I imagine the job you declined was not listed as WFH, because it usually is not, but is currently due to COVID. Your plan to ask more questions the next time is the correct one. Most places do have company computers, so this should not be an issue, but ask as you plan. Wifi will probably also be needed. If they do not cover reimbursement of this item, then you will need to decide if the salary is enough to cover adding this to your home capability. You can't expect a company to remember something like your office set-up when they interview hundreds of people a week, but that also means you will need to be more understanding of them not remembering a special circumstance for you. Immediately after getting the invitation for on-boarding you could have reminded them of your needs. Your on-boarding may have been delayed a week or two, but you would have been set-up for success. Companies that just hired someone don't want them to not be successful. Good luck on your next interview!

I have worked from home for years. Now my young adult son is doing the same. We work in entirely different industries. There ARE expectations in many WFH environments that YOU will provide certain pieces of technical equipment. And there's good reasons for that. It's a nightmare for companies to send, track, set up, and then get back after you leave things like modems, computers and routers. Then they need to wipe the hard drive clean of the last person's stuff, and test the functionality of it all before it could be sent out again. My son's company does provide a lot of equipment (They provide the computer, but not things like the monitor, modem, and required router ). He had issues with 2 computers they sent. The company lost lots of labor hours doing technical trouble shooting, then lost a bunch of money and time in shipping moving around 3 different computers back and forth across the country. If the job is something you want, an investment in that job and your future is worth it. And since you paid for the stuff, it's yours to keep when the job ends.

Lori-Ann- How frustrating for you to go from the highs of getting your perfect job to the frustrations of the nitty-gritty of on-boarding which is bumpy and ineffective. Although companies have an expectation that people have the appropriate technology to work from home, the fact is that a majority of Americans don't. What works for us as individuals for personal work from home just isn't appropriate for teleworking. My suggestion before quitting is that you make a list of what the expectations were and request a meeting with HR. Be clear about the time line- when you were told about the expectations on having up to date computer and wifi connection. Assure them that you are still eager to work with the company (if you are) and explain how you're home system is not adequate to fulfill the the requirement of the position and request the company assist in updating your system. You wouldn't have done it so what is required is solely to fulfill your job requirements. If they are adamant that the onus is on you to shoulder the financial costs to update your computer equipment and wifi connection etc. then you have a choice. You gracefully say that given the financial outlay required for the job that currently you aren't in the position to do it and with great regret you will need to reconsider your acceptance of their job offer. Or you decide that job is worth the fronting of the financial outlay and you start. Either way- I think a lesson here not just for you but also for us on this platform is to ask the question of the organization -- what are the expectations of technology support in the home office to fulfill the job requirements and if our home system is not up to snuff, what will the organization provide to the employee to reach the expected level of quality.

Hi, When you applied for the position, was it listed as working from home or did they tell you that after you had already accepted? I understand your frustration either way and each company is different. There are some that give you everything from the router, WiFi, laptop and printer and others that make the assumption that you have everything already set up to work from home. Don’t get discouraged. Do what you can and if it becomes too much of a financial burden, you may have to have a conversation with your boss. This may or may not work in your favor but if you are really struggling, it’s better to be honest and upfront about it then end up not completing the tasks properly due to not having the resources you need. Best of luck Lori-Ann.

Have you tried talking to the IT department and your boss? Many companies give a stipend so that you get reimbursed for technological upgrades. I would explain to an IT guy, at the company, what your current setup is and verify that it works for what the company needs you to do. If it does, great! If not, work with them and your boss to get the equipment they need you to have. Don't be afraid to ask why the new equipment is needed over what you have. Any good IT guy will be able to explain to you the reason.

Not to pile on, but I also (sadly) think that most onboarding processes are not great, or even good. I would not give up on the company due to that and the technology assumptions - I would try to see past those items if you can!

A high-speed router, a working laptop, a smart phone are standard. I am decidedly not high-tech but cannot imagine how you would do any job without these. No one wants to feel like a number, but these really are used in every field. Every job I have had for the past 20 years required all of this. Some supplied the equipment, others did not. But you may need to make the investment to get the job.

Agreed. I think that it's pretty common to have Wi-Fi these days. I'm curious as to what kept you from speaking up about not having it and asking if they would provide monetary support for it? That might be the part to pay attention to, either for your own growth or something telling about the company.