Workplace offering permanent work from home option... for a 10% pay cut

[riverwed070707]

My company is VERY traditional. Even during pandemic, we never went to a fully work from home schedule for our corporate employees even if their work did not require them to be in office - we put people on a rotating schedule of first 50% in office and then 1/3 in office and we are returning to assigned work locations at 100% June 1. Except today they rolled out today a voluntary work from home option. They're really pitching it for great flexibility to set your own office hours, option for a four or five day work week and no change in benefits. Catch is you have to take a 10% pay cut. I can think of a dozen reasons corporate execs might think this is justified - it provides an alternative for parents who's summer care is cancelled, accounts for distractions at home during the summer + running kids around, flexibility for getting kids to and from school once it starts back up, etc and they probably also assume people will have gaps in or distractions from productivity and this provides a buffer for the work not getting completed. On the flip side, I don't think its a given that people who work from home will work less hard or fewer hours - many of us put in more than 40 hours a week and several hours on the weekend anyway, sometimes even on PTO. Further, for me personally, I find I'm able to be more productive at home if for no other reason than removing the distraction of coworkers as we work in an open office setting with desks that are in a long pod and connected to one another with 6-12 co-workers. I might be working fewer hours from home but I'm accomplishing more. Not sure how I feel about the offer. I'm really tempted because I love working from home. At the same time I have a boss who has always afforded me the opportunity to work from home as needed - generally pre-covid I was in the office 60-70% of the time and working remotely the rest. Ultimately I'm probably not going to take the offer and just keep doing what I've always done but 1) I found it interesting to see such a traditional company offer this opportunity and 2) thought it would be a good discussion point as to whether employers were justified in paying below market rates for this "added flexibility" especially given it is overall a cost savings for the company due to lower overhead. Will be interesting to see if this is something that's offered to new employees going forward, although currently we're in a hiring freeze.

[cypher1]

While a 10% cut may see high, but I think a lot would depend on your normal daily commute, and saving on gas and time. A buddy took a similar pay cut years ago when he worked from home, but saved him self a daily 45 minute commute one way, and able to coordinate taking and picking up his kids from school for convenience. But the fact that the WFH option is voluntary and not mandatory, also helps.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

10% is nothing. You'd make that up on commuting costs alone. I'd jump on it in a heartbeat if i were working for your company. Cost of wear and tear on car, gas, insurance, parking, tolls, etc.

[Thrif-t]

I agree with Living! I work part time, 3 days in the office then a few hours from home on the other 2 days. Since March 16th I've been home and I love it. I always said I didn't need to go in the office as I already was putting in some time from home. But I work in a traditional office too where they think you need to be in your seat to be working! I love not having the 25 min commute or having to fill my gas tank up every week! They've asked for volunteers to go back, NO WAY! Why? I can do everything from home. I've grown quite fond of rolling out of bed at 7:45 and logging in at 8, I'd do it permanently for 10% cut.

[riverwed070707]

10% is nothing. You'd make that up on commuting costs alone. I'd jump on it in a heartbeat if i were working for your company. Cost of wear and tear on car, gas, insurance, parking, tolls, etc.

I'm not sure it would be a financial gain for me. My commute is 6 miles or 11 minutes. We don't pay for parking (company pays) and no tolls. Cut would be about $8k/yr or $307/paycheck. My gas/miles have certainly been low but I don't spend $600/mo on gas. $200 usually

[riverwed070707]

Also if DD was still going to be in elementary I'd have to factor in driving her downtown anyway (where I work) and then coming back but next year she will take the bus so even less driving required. The time savings is certainly substantial and it would be nice to be home if schools end up not returning in the fall for some reason. Suppose I could always decide at that time? I'm so lost what it would be like for her starting middle school online only or in a rotating schedule.

[disneysteve]

Very interesting offer. I really wonder why they feel the pay cut is justified. Ultimately, if enough people take the WFH option, it could save the company money. Maybe they could downsize their physical space, for example.

I wonder how workman's comp is impacted with WFH. If you trip and fall at work, it's covered by their insurance. What happens if you trip and fall at home walking to the kitchen to get a snack?

I can definitely see this offer appealing to a lot of people.

[Scallywag]

My company is VERY traditional. Even during pandemic, we never went to a fully work from home schedule for our corporate employees even if their work did not require them to be in office - we put people on a rotating schedule of first 50% in office and then 1/3 in office and we are returning to assigned work locations at 100% June 1. Except today they rolled out today a voluntary work from home option. They're really pitching it for great flexibility to set your own office hours, option for a four or five day work week and no change in benefits. Catch is you have to take a 10% pay cut. I can think of a dozen reasons corporate execs might think this is justified - it provides an alternative for parents who's summer care is cancelled, accounts for distractions at home during the summer + running kids around, flexibility for getting kids to and from school once it starts back up, etc and they probably also assume people will have gaps in or distractions from productivity and this provides a buffer for the work not getting completed. On the flip side, I don't think its a given that people who work from home will work less hard or fewer hours - many of us put in more than 40 hours a week and several hours on the weekend anyway, sometimes even on PTO. Further, for me personally, I find I'm able to be more productive at home if for no other reason than removing the distraction of coworkers as we work in an open office setting with desks that are in a long pod and connected to one another with 6-12 co-workers. I might be working fewer hours from home but I'm accomplishing more. Not sure how I feel about the offer. I'm really tempted because I love working from home. At the same time I have a boss who has always afforded me the opportunity to work from home as needed - generally pre-covid I was in the office 60-70% of the time and working remotely the rest. Ultimately I'm probably not going to take the offer and just keep doing what I've always done but 1) I found it interesting to see such a traditional company offer this opportunity and 2) thought it would be a good discussion point as to whether employers were justified in paying below market rates for this "added flexibility" especially given it is overall a cost savings for the company due to lower overhead. Will be interesting to see if this is something that's offered to new employees going forward, although currently we're in a hiring freeze.

My husband probably wouldn't take this option even if it were offered as he enjoys being in the work place and a break from our autistic son who can be very challenging at times. I would love for this option to be available, though, as it would help us make the move out of California. I do worry about being in a different state than my daughter eventually esp if she chooses to go to college here and eventually settles here, but I'd be more happy to take a 10% paycut if we can move to another state or even central California where COL is at least 10% to 15% less than where we currently live.

[disneysteve]

I would love for this option to be available, though, as it would help us make the move out of California.

Ah, that's a great point. Would taking the remote option still require you to be in the local area to come in for meetings perhaps, or could you literally be anywhere in the world?

Even if you don't have plans to move, just imagine the freedom to pick up and travel as long as you could still get your work done. If I had a job that could be done remotely, we would probably buy a 2nd home in Florida and spend a bunch of time there.

[SGP20162016]

Yea - I would just ALL OVER that. Not only would it save on gas and clothing...there are definitely times during the day where I spend money because I am on the road (fast food, etc.)

[cypher1]

Yea - I would just ALL OVER that. Not only would it save on gas and clothing...there are definitely times during the day where I spend money because I am on the road (fast food, etc.)

Some things I appreciate more with WFH; is having more time to make breakfast before work, then do the dishes in between calls, or throw in a load of laundry, and start preparing dinner earlier. Cooking and cleaning is definitely more convenient when there is down time at work (not often). While I workout before work, rolling out of bed to start work is still another option.

[~bs]

That's pretty awesome? Do you have complete flexibility to complete a set amount of work and are not constrained to being on your computer 8-5? If so, you could find ways to make your work more efficient, and get a second job, could potentially make a lot more money.

[bjl584]

If I had a far commute and I was prone to eating lunch out, I might seriously consider that offer

[riverwed070707]

Ah, that's a great point. Would taking the remote option still require you to be in the local area to come in for meetings perhaps, or could you literally be anywhere in the world?

Even if you don't have plans to move, just imagine the freedom to pick up and travel as long as you could still get your work done. If I had a job that could be done remotely, we would probably buy a 2nd home in Florida and spend a bunch of time there.

This is the one thing that appeals to me most. No plans of moving for at least another 8 years, but I have always been interested in the digital nomad lifestyle. While travel might not be ideal this summer, it sure would open some doors for some really great opportunities down the road. I've always wanted to road trip the 101 but it just isn't feasible to really see and enjoy it in a limited PTO time frame. Would be really cool to take a whole summer to explore. I wouldn't mind putting in the work during the week and just enjoying our normal evenings and weekends if we had so much time to do so. Would be even more appealing if school doesn't resume in the fall and DD could also do her school from the road.

[riverwed070707]

Some things I appreciate more with WFH; is having more time to make breakfast before work, then do the dishes in between calls, or throw in a load of laundry, and start preparing dinner earlier. Cooking and cleaning is definitely more convenient when there is down time at work (not often). While I workout before work, rolling out of bed to start work is still another option.

SAME. Some people are going stir crazy in quarantine and I'm over here in my happy place. Cooking, clean house, exercising with my dog...it's been awesome. My stress levels are way down having a better work-home balance. Nothing stresses me out more than a long day at work and then coming home to a messy house and feeling like there is more work to be done