Post-lockdown working from home

Sapindus

Hate to say it but the marital bedroom is probably the easiest room to exclude a toddler from during the day, my team leader chose this option during lockdown and is still in there. 

My employer (govt agency) did have a fund available to supply necessary items for working safely from home, and i got a new keyboard and a carpet protector out of it.  However I didn't pursue getting a new desk under as I had nowhere to put the old and patently unsuitable desk, so put up with the discomfort for 2.5 years.  I've only just worked out how I could make room and have now bought a new desk from Ikea for £160 or so (using various discounts) and have had to face the fact that we have a slightly random classifiaction of people being flexible home workers (can't get furniture paid for) or multi-based workers (can get £150) and it is down to my previous incompetent team leader that I am the former.  But it is my desk so at least I don't have to worry about it being a taxable benefit or arguing about giving it back if I leave the organisation.

TheJP

As someone who has worked both office and WFH pre and post pandemic, i think you should be grateful of the flexibility WFH brings. Not the same scenario but we will save after school childcare as i can have mine and my sister in laws kids an vice versa.

Try and see the positives first, i doubt the costs will rise too much however the employer should provide the relevant equipment.

sheramber

Most of my DIL 's colleagues are now returning to work in the office due to increased energy costs.

Being out all day means  the heating can be switched off rather than heating the house all day.

NameUnavailable

pinkteapot said:

As above, the key point is that if he no longer has the option to go to an office, then that's a change to the employment contract he signed up to. He should discuss with the employer if he's not happy with it (negotiate for a one-off payment or salary increase due to increased costs). 

As an aside, I can't work out how employers are getting round their DSE (display screen equipment) responsibilities with people working from home. In the office you had to have a desk and chair set up that gave you correct posture, but at home you can slumped on a sofa for 8 hours? Crazy!

I was talking about this with a friend whose company have done away with 'personal' desks and now it's all hot desks only - there aren't enough desks for people either as they (rightly) assume that at any given time some will be working from home/out at meetings/on leave/sick etc.

The same thing applies - every person will adjust the chair and screens to how they want them.

I guess if you choose to WFH it's your responsibility to ensure you have a suitable environment.

As for costs, some employers pay an allowance if your contract requires you to WFH, but if it's a choice then I don't see why you should be compensated - you are saving other costs in most cases.

Alderbank

NameUnavailable said:

pinkteapot said:

As above, the key point is that if he no longer has the option to go to an office, then that's a change to the employment contract he signed up to. He should discuss with the employer if he's not happy with it (negotiate for a one-off payment or salary increase due to increased costs). 

As an aside, I can't work out how employers are getting round their DSE (display screen equipment) responsibilities with people working from home. In the office you had to have a desk and chair set up that gave you correct posture, but at home you can slumped on a sofa for 8 hours? Crazy!

I was talking about this with a friend...

I guess if you choose to WFH it's your responsibility to ensure you have a suitable environment.

No need for any guesswork.
It's your employer's responsibility.
...and it has been for almost 50 years (since 1974)

74jax

In March 2020 my company sent me home with laptop, a laptop base, keyboard, mouse.  I then packed up my entire desk and office chair. I worked from the dining table and then moved to my bedroom dressing table. The bedroom was darker (like you) so my company bought me a 'selfie lamp' and it worked great.
They paid for new desks for at home if office desks wouldn't fit (I declined and just used dressing table).
DSE assessments had to be carried out in the first week via Teams. Any equipment needed was purchased. 
I'm not sure their 'generosity' would have stretched to converting a room..... 
My husband was the same, although rather than bringing his chair home, they all got new ones, to keep at home.
Now my husband WFH permanently and his contract reflects this. 
My company now has hot desks for those who chose hybrid, and usual office desks for those who chose office. 

400ixl

The employer has no responsibility for you having a dedicated office space in your home and neither should they. They have some responsibilities for health and safety though.

If you have no ability to create an environment to WFH and your employer is not providing space in an office location as they have deemed you a home worker (provided the contract allows for this, which most do), then the other option is to change jobs to a company which is office based.

Explain to the manager you cannot continue to work from home and see what they say. If return to office is not an option, then look elsewhere. Sorry if that seems harsh, but it is the reality of the current environment.

MSE_ForumTeam5

Threads merged

MrsStepford

Over Lockdowns, employers were allowed to pay employees £6.00 pw for WFH costs. If they didn't, even if you only worked from home one day, you could claim for the whole tax year from HMRC, directly. 

HMRC has since tightened the rules. You don't get it if the employer doesn't have enough office space, or if you hotdesk. Nor will you get it if you are given the choice to WFH or in the office. 

You may get it, if you live too far away from your employer to commute. 

My husband bought his own chair and desk from Wayfair and didn't claim for them. Some employees were allowed to take an office chair or buy one and submit it on expenses. 

If HMRC accepts you for the WFH allowance you may be able to claim for heating and lighting for your office space. 

Claim tax relief for your job expenses: Working from home - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

My husband works from home for an agency too far away to commute to, with no office space available for him. The client asked the agency for him to WFH. He's asked HMRC if he's eligible but he hasn't heard back yet.

GlasgowExpat2

I started a new job in May. I am classed as a home worker as my “office” is in the Isle of Man. Does this mean I could make a claim?