Working from home

Alfie2020

Putting aside the current situation, my employer is leasing out the office that I have worked in until lockdown.  At present we are using our own laptops (though they will provide a monitor, IGEL, etc which is very bulky).  Going forwards we were promised equipment to work from home.  As they are changing their system we will be forced to use a corporate laptop (but may not have a large enough screen to work on), a monitor, keyboard, hub etc.  Whilst I have no issues with laptop, etc I do not have the room for a monitor, which are large and take up far more space than necessary.  I currently work on the dining room table because I don't have a desk elsewhere, or room for one.  I am concerned as to what could happen if I cannot have this large equipment due to space restrictions.  I have been working fine since lockdown using my own laptop but the change in the system (presumably down to security) means I won't be able to going forwards.  There also has been no additional funding for working from home (I am aware of the tax relief).  There is a saving to my employer in shutting the offices and transferring to home working (lighting, heating, broadband) but this is a cost being passed to employees, so effectively a pay cut.  Surely if we are being forced to do this (it was on the cards prior to covid 19) the least they can do is to take into account the fact that not all employees will have space to set up an office.

JReacher1

I assume you only have to use the corporate laptop. The rest are voluntary (they won’t know If you don’t use them). 

Give it a go and see how it goes. 

Alfie2020

For the job that I do the screen size they are looking at will be too small.  I can just about cope with my 15" screen but they are looking at smaller than that.

KatrinaWaves

Were you previously able to travel to work for free? If not, you need to offset your commute costs against this ‘effective paycut’

Did you work require you to get a faster BB package, or did you already have it? Honestly lighting and heating is negligible overall. 

You don’t have to work from home but they can just dismiss you if you choose not to. They aren’t gonna open the office up just for you, so is there no corner in the house you can make this work? I’ve seen people using some desk/shelve combos which fold up after work, probably an IKEA job, which looked pretty smart. 

Doshwaster

I'm surprised that any employer is willing to have people working on their own laptop - and I wouldn't want do do any work on my personal laptop. Like Church and State, they are best kept separate for everyone's benefit.

Marcon

Have you tried talking to your employer rather than just moaning about your issues here?

Brynsam

Alfie2020 said:

Putting aside the current situation, my employer is leasing out the office that I have worked in until lockdown.  

There is a saving to my employer in shutting the offices and transferring to home working (lighting, heating, broadband) but this is a cost being passed to employees, so effectively a pay cut.  Surely if we are being forced to do this (it was on the cards prior to covid 19) the least they can do is to take into account the fact that not all employees will have space to set up an office.

You can't put the current situation aside. It exists.

Your employer is making cost savings. Be grateful; it makes the jobs of their employees, including yours, that much more secure. 

If you're working from home, you save on commuting time and costs, probably on the cost of lunch and other refreshments, and other things like work clothes, dry cleaning etc. Why would broadband cost extra as a direct result of working from home? Shouldn't have any impact if you are on a sensible package/deal.

As Marcon suggests, discuss with your employer if there's a space issue. You won't be the only one but how on earth can your employer address your concerns if you post them on a public forum but don't talk to the people who need to know?

Alfie2020

Well thanks for being unsympathetic and I'm sorry if asking for advice sounds like moaning.  Firstly no commute as I walked to work, I took sandwiches same as I eat now, etc, etc so actually wfh is not actually saving me money.  I am discussing with my manager the issues, I was simply asking for some advice.  I live in a very small house with elderly parent so try as I might the only place is the dining room table which is too small.  With a laptop it is easy to pack out of the way which all the other equipment isn't.  It is also a local authority and not a private company.  But anyway, I doubt I will post again as this is not the first time I have asked for some advice on here and been shot down in flames.

JReacher1

Ignore the other poster.  It’s lockdown so cranky people on here are even more cranky than normal!

Can you use your personal laptop to remote into your work laptop? That is quite easy to set up and would mean that you can work as you are with your personal laptop and leave the work laptop switched on but out of the way somewhere. 

Alternatively explain the issue to your manager and request a laptop with a larger screen. That is a reasonable request that hopefully they can provide. 

Alfie2020

Thank you.  That I don't know.  It's certainly something I can ask.  I have said a laptop with a 15" works fine so hopefully they will be OK.  I understand they can't accommodate everybody's requests, but as in your reply it's an idea I hadn't thought of.

Brynsam

Could you wall mount a monitor (same way as you'd wall mount a TV) on a swivel stand, which would mean it could be tucked out of the way when not in use?