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Hybrid workers

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Not sure if this has been highlighted/ discussed on this forum, I am wondering what the Government has considered for all those workers, who during and post Covid are now working from home.  Some people do this full time, some part office part home working, either way using more energy powering laptops, charging phones, and using lighting, all saving businesses the expense of providing this in an office based role.

I know you could argue travelling to work costs would be reduced by working from home, however with people struggling with the recent increase(s) in energy costs, those working from home for their employers this will be an additional burden on deciding weather or not to Heat, Eat, or Work from home.

the taxman gives such people a tax break for working at home, but it will not cover the additional expenditure needed during the Winter months.

Martin, any thoughts how the Government are going to consider this as well as other benefits for people during this worrying times?
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  • Should the government subsidise the travel for people who still go to the office?  Or subsidise the energy use of the offices when people get there?  If not, why should they subsidise you for working at home?

    If your company forces you to work from home, you could always ask them for some money to cover the extra electricity, but unless they used to pay for your commute I think you'd probably fail to convince them.
  • GingerTim
    GingerTim Posts: 2,597 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 28 August 2022 at 10:02PM
    I save about £100 a week (c.£5,000) on commuting by only going for three days, so no complaints about the expense of working from home. That saving more than makes up for any energy rise.
  • It's swings and roundabouts. Some people like working from home, others don't. You either pay to commute to an office or pay to heat your house.

    Some live close enough to walk or cycle to work, and have nobody else home during the day. These people may be better off going to their office.
    Some have family at home all day anyway so they are paying for heating wherever they work. Some have a 50 mile+ commute. These last two types are better off working from home if they are comfortable with it.
  • MWT
    MWT Posts: 10,196 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper
    goaisok said:
    Martin, any thoughts how the Government are going to consider this as well as other benefits for people during this worrying times?
    This is between you and your employer, this is not something for the government.


  • pochase
    pochase Posts: 3,449 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    Same as for @GingerTim I would be  paying £90 for going twice a week to the office like I did I did before Covid, not to talk about spending money on lunch and three hours travel time per day. Saving £400 per month is much more than my total energy cost.

    If you think you are better off going to the office just do it. Sounds like you want to save the travel cost and get additional money. 

  • MattMattMattUK
    MattMattMattUK Posts: 11,137 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Name Dropper
    goaisok said:
    Not sure if this has been highlighted/ discussed on this forum, I am wondering what the Government has considered for all those workers, who during and post Covid are now working from home.  Some people do this full time, some part office part home working, either way using more energy powering laptops, charging phones, and using lighting, all saving businesses the expense of providing this in an office based role.

    I know you could argue travelling to work costs would be reduced by working from home, however with people struggling with the recent increase(s) in energy costs, those working from home for their employers this will be an additional burden on deciding weather or not to Heat, Eat, or Work from home.

    the taxman gives such people a tax break for working at home, but it will not cover the additional expenditure needed during the Winter months.

    Martin, any thoughts how the Government are going to consider this as well as other benefits for people during this worrying times?
    The cost of commuting for most people will significantly exceed the cost of heating when working from home, however for the few for whom it does not, they can still go into the office.

    In pure fuel terms it costs me about £6.50 to commute based on current prices, ignoring ongoing maintenance, running costs and depreciation. Using my laptop, having a light on and charging my phone fully every day will cost about £0.22 per day. Heating at home at will mostly cost me nothing because my flat is well insulated, on days where I do need to use it then It might cost me £1-3.00, still less than half of the cost of commuting. 
  • born_again
    born_again Posts: 20,303 Forumite
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    If you used to commute into london & had to pay £6k for a season ticket. Even with the new increase. You are still quids in.

    Daughters 30 mile daily commute was £30 a week in petrol pre covid. Staying at home cost wise is just the cost of laptop running. Ok she has 2 cups of coffee at home, but food was made at home anyway. Quids in even now.

    If either of use were to go into the office it would cost more in petrol than we would save in energy use at home.
    Life in the slow lane
  • MovingForwards
    MovingForwards Posts: 17,149 Forumite
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    I was filling my car each week while in my last job. It was costing over £50 each week by the time I resigned. The job before that I was mainly working at home and I didn't put the heating on, just added another layer / put a blanket over my legs.

    Now it's once a month I fill up as I'm currently training, doing hybrid working, and in a few days I'll be permanently working from home. I will spend a couple of hours in the office every 6 weeks, if that, for a meeting. 

    I eat better, have breaks at home, get to change my hours to suit my personal life and my coffee tastes a lot nicer at home.

    It's cheaper for me to work at home, cheaper / quicker for me to drive in on the days I do go in rather than use public transport and I do the shopping on my way back as I pass an ok supermarket or use my regular supermarket when I'm not in the office.

    My company will pay my homeworking expenses, if they're less than my commute cost, or I've the option of working in the office instead; which is their preferred suggestion when anyone asks for money towards the bills.
    Mortgage started 2020, aiming to clear 31/12/2029.
  • lohr500
    lohr500 Posts: 1,346 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I could get very annoyed over this!!
    Surely working from home will cost you less than commuting to your place of work each day?
    If it doesn't then go to work.
    You are lucky that you have the option.
    Am I missing something?
    Why are you expecting some form of financial assistance from the State?
  • savers_united
    savers_united Posts: 526 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 28 August 2022 at 9:35PM
    lohr500 said:
    I could get very annoyed over this!!
    Surely working from home will cost you less than commuting to your place of work each day?
    If it doesn't then go to work.
    You are lucky that you have the option.
    Am I missing something?
    Why are you expecting some form of financial assistance from the State?
    Could not agree more, I had to re-read the post as I struggling to understand what the issue was, have worked from home for the best part of 2 years and saved in that time hundreds if not thousands in commuting costs but now wants Gov't support to work at home, give me strength.

    Talk about cake and eat it, very few would be financially worse off working from home compared to commuting, some have even sold their car due to WFH full time, how much does that save annually with no insurance, road tax, fuel, maintenence etc.....

    No doubt working from home can help offset childcare costs, dog walkers as well if you have pets / children. 
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