4 ms·

As remote employment grows, I sense a larger and larger amount of office business expenses being invisibly pushed to the remote employees, while the business sa

As remote employment grows, I sense a larger and larger amount of office business expenses being invisibly pushed to the remote employees, while the business saves on the expense of less or no office space. The entire area of "expenses" is ripe for an inspection revolution and formalization on all sides.

ghaff 8y ago
Many companies do have policies with respect to certain home office expenses. But what's "fair" with respect to expenses generally is a bit tricky. Yes, there are home office expenses--maybe trivial, maybe a lot if you need to set up a room for the purpose. On the other hand, you're reducing or eliminating perhaps substantial commuting expenses. Even with respect to travel, there are some perks with meals, etc. On the other hand, if you travel a lot you probably have to pay for various home services that you might otherwise not have to.
- op00to 8y ago
  I've audited my home office expenses as a remote worker, and I save way more money by not commuting and not having to take time off for minor illnesses. It turns out that the actual cost of my home office space (dedicated room % of montage) is really not enough for me to even calculate and deduct. At least in my case, I come out ahead.
  - ghaff 8y ago
    I'm sure that's the usual case. I have a room that's specifically an office but even that isn't dedicated for work in any normal meaning of the word. I do know someone who had a small standalone office built on their property but that's pretty unusual. Most people I know who really want a space specific for work will go to a co-working facility (which I believe my company pays for in at least some cases).
  - Retric 8y ago
    Depends on where the home office is and what you do. It’s not hard to break 1,000$ a month including a modest space inside an apartment in an expensive city. People that are 100% remote often live in cheap areas, but that’s not always the case.

ghaff 8y ago

Many companies do have policies with respect to certain home office expenses. But what's "fair" with respect to expenses generally is a bit tricky. Yes, there are home office expenses--maybe trivial, maybe a lot if you need to set up a room for the purpose. On the other hand, you're reducing or eliminating perhaps substantial commuting expenses. Even with respect to travel, there are some perks with meals, etc. On the other hand, if you travel a lot you probably have to pay for various home services that you might otherwise not have to.

op00to 8y ago
I've audited my home office expenses as a remote worker, and I save way more money by not commuting and not having to take time off for minor illnesses. It turns out that the actual cost of my home office space (dedicated room % of montage) is really not enough for me to even calculate and deduct. At least in my case, I come out ahead.
- ghaff 8y ago
  I'm sure that's the usual case. I have a room that's specifically an office but even that isn't dedicated for work in any normal meaning of the word. I do know someone who had a small standalone office built on their property but that's pretty unusual. Most people I know who really want a space specific for work will go to a co-working facility (which I believe my company pays for in at least some cases).
- Retric 8y ago
  Depends on where the home office is and what you do. It’s not hard to break 1,000$ a month including a modest space inside an apartment in an expensive city. People that are 100% remote often live in cheap areas, but that’s not always the case.