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Remote work has become the norm in many companies, bringing benefits but also new financial challenges. The costs of utilities, equipment, and internet access can place an additional burden on employees, and the lack of clear regulations means these issues often remain unclear. Find out what expenses are associated with remote work and how you can minimize them.
Issues arising from remote work
Remote work should generally be viewed as a positive solution that undoubtedly benefits the planet. Let’s recall what the streets of major cities looked like during the first lockdown. It was as quiet as it was in the 1980s. A large portion of the population worked from home and, as a result, did not pollute the air with car exhaust. More forward-thinking employers realize that, after the pandemic experience, there is no going back to clocking in at a desk at 8 a.m. every day. They are proposing various hybrid solutions.
However, remote work raises many issues that need to be addressed in some way. Let’s mention just a few of them here. Who should pay for electricity, who should own the computer, who should pay for internet service, and who should provide the printer, paper, and ink? All of these matters should either be resolved by law, or at the very least, the law should outline the general direction for resolving them.
There are also issues that absolutely must be clearly regulated. Take, for example, the matter of workers’ accident insurance. Under normal circumstances, an employee who stepped out of the house on the way to work was covered by the employer’s accident insurance. If they broke a leg on the stairs, it was considered a work-related accident. But when working remotely, are they covered by accident insurance? Are they covered at all? If they break a leg on the way to the kitchen, are they considered to be at work or not?
Remote Work and Electricity Costs
One of the issues that needs to be resolved between an employer and a remote worker is the matter of electricity.
In an office, the employer pays for electricity. And electricity is essential for the computer, for making coffee or tea, and during the winter months, for lighting as well. When working remotely, all of this falls on the employee.
The annual cost of electricity for a laptop is a few dozen zlotys, while for a desktop computer it’s over a hundred. The annual cost of using an electric kettle is another few dozen zlotys. And electricity prices keep rising.
Remote work and other costs
Remote workers must use the internet. This costs anywhere from a few dozen zlotys a month to as much as 200 zlotys for high-speed satellite internet. Cheaper internet connections aren’t available everywhere. Except in rare cases where companies pay their employees an internet allowance, these costs are covered by the employee.
The situation is similar when it comes to computer equipment. The vast majority of companies provide employees with only desktop computers at the office. Remote workers must have their own equipment.
Of course, there are companies that provide their employees with additional laptops due to remote work, but these are the exception rather than the rule. A more common—and undoubtedly more cost-effective—option is to equip all employees exclusively with laptops. This way, employees are more mobile in any situation, not just during the pandemic.
On top of that, when one family member works remotely, it prevents the rest of the household from functioning normally. Everyone has to be quiet, and no one is allowed to move around in the background during a video call… In a small apartment, this puts a heavy strain on everyone. Hence, there are calls for employers to rent a portion of the employee’s apartment. The idea may seem far-fetched, but with such an allowance, the employee could occasionally rent a serviced office when they need exceptional focus.
Working from home eliminates the cost of commuting to the office. Whether by car or public transportation, these are not insignificant expenses. You have to count on several dozen zlotys a month or more. When asked about equipment or contributing to the costs of remote work, employers often bring up the issue of commuting. Not only does the employee not bear these costs, but they also save time—they argue.
It is difficult to strike a balance between the arguments of both sides, which is why lawmakers should establish, as soon as possible, a framework within which employers and employees can negotiate their working relationships.
