Heating while working from home during Covid-19

Jonesy1977

The Approved Code of Practice suggests the minimum temperature in a workplace should normally be at least 16 degrees Celsius.  Why not work out the cost of ensuring that the two necessary rooms in your house would cost to get to the minimum level, than ask if you may be able to expense the cost?  I think a reasonable employer would consider the request and potentially reimburse. 

strawb_shortcake

MoneySeeker1 said:

Absolutely so!

Prior to retirement my heating wasnt on "all day every day" and I walked to work.

So it would indeed be a legitimate concern as to just who was going to pay for the extra heating costs:
- myself (fair enough - if I was the one that had decided to wfh)
OR
- my employer (down to them if they'd ordered me to WFH).

So all the public sector workers that are being told to wfh, do you think the taxpayer should contribute to their energy bills too? 

Dazed_and_C0nfused

annabanana82 said:

MoneySeeker1 said:

Absolutely so!

Prior to retirement my heating wasnt on "all day every day" and I walked to work.

So it would indeed be a legitimate concern as to just who was going to pay for the extra heating costs:
- myself (fair enough - if I was the one that had decided to wfh)
OR
- my employer (down to them if they'd ordered me to WFH).

So all the public sector workers that are being told to wfh, do you think the taxpayer should contribute to their energy bills too? 

They will be doing one way or the other.

Those working for employers who won't pay the £6/week will no doubt claim tax relief on £6/week.  Might only be worth £1.20 or £1.26/week for most but the "taxpayer" will effectively be funding it.

strawb_shortcake

Dazed_and_C0nfused said:

annabanana82 said:

MoneySeeker1 said:

Absolutely so!

Prior to retirement my heating wasnt on "all day every day" and I walked to work.

So it would indeed be a legitimate concern as to just who was going to pay for the extra heating costs:
- myself (fair enough - if I was the one that had decided to wfh)
OR
- my employer (down to them if they'd ordered me to WFH).

So all the public sector workers that are being told to wfh, do you think the taxpayer should contribute to their energy bills too? 

They will be doing one way or the other.

Those working for employers who won't pay the £6/week will no doubt claim tax relief on £6/week.  Might only be worth £1.20 or £1.26/week for most but the "taxpayer" will effectively be funding it.

As a public sector worker I wont be claiming any tax relief, but if I was private I'd not claim either. 

Moneyseeker 1 made it sound more as though it should be claimed as an expense on top of any tax relief - well that's how I read it anyway 

ToxicWomble

 Very few bother for £1.20 a week since we are intelligent enough to realise that we are actually “winning” in the equation of WFH and probably also feel as though it would be morally wrong to claim it as well.

Tammykitty

ToxicWomble said:

 Very few bother for £1.20 a week since we are intelligent enough to realise that we are actually “winning” in the equation of WFH and probably also feel as though it would be morally wrong to claim it as well.

There is positive and negatives for WFH - and for some people the +ve's outweigh the -ve's and for some it is the other way round.
Personally - I am very neutral about WFH
Financially, probably worse off at home with the heating on all day, and my commute was very short anyway. I have also had to buy some office furniture etc. We don't have a dress code in my work, so don't need good work clothes etc. 
I will be claiming the allowance.

I moved jobs around xmas, and took a significant paycut, but that was counteracted by basically no commuting cost and a 5 min commute - saving time and money, so I do understand the benefits of reducing/cancelling the commute, and If I was still in my old job, I would be delighted to be WFH


From a non financial perspective - I miss the social side of work - I moved areas for the new job and was just starting to mingle with people (work and non work) and now all this has been cancelled - so I don't see anyone known except my husband every day.
 I don't like part of my house being used as an office - it feels difficult to shut off from work when my desk is in the corner of the living room, it is a constant reminder. Also my home setup, isn't great due to lack of space.

But in saying that - I like the being at home too, I like the freedom to spend breaks and lunch doing stuff at home or near home, its great being in for deliveries etc.

I feel for young professionals in shared houses - they probably have very little room to work now and are stuck in their bedrooms all day.

Not everyone is the same - It is not morally wrong to claim an allowance that is available - and although one member of the household may be wfh, the others may have no income and not entitled to support so every penny counts!

ToxicWomble

I was primarily relating to Public Sector especially NHS - not a single one of my colleagues is claiming the tax relief (or admitting to it)
Some of the other aspects - I 100% agree with, the lack of social contact and the separation of work/home for me are the 2 main “losses” for me

Jeremy535897

It cannot be "morally wrong" to claim an allowance to which you are entitled by both the spirit and the letter of the law.

ToxicWomble

I guess that depends what your personal
morals tell you

68ComebackSpecial

My morals say that I'll happily claim £140 p.a. when I complete my husband's self assessment.