Office & Coworking - Getting your employer to pay
So your company have said you can work from home and you no longer need to commute every day. For some people, this is the ultimate way to work, set up an office at home, save time on the commute and save money too. For others it’s just not practical, you may not have space to have a separate office and find that you are perched on the kitchen table.
Is being at home unmotivating? Some people find it isolating not being around colleagues and coworkers. The costs of working at home can also be a problem, heating your house during the day at peak rates is expensive and with electricity bills rising, this is going to be an expensive winter. Even making tea or coffee all day at home is going to add to your already high bill.
For anyone feeling the strain of being at home working there is a solution! Find a flexible workspace near you. If you are lucky to have one within walking distance or cycling distance then you’ll also benefit from the short commute. For most people there is a flexible coworking office within a few miles, making it a great alternative to working from home.
The only issue now is how do you ask your employer to pay for it?
Here are 3 pointers to help you make your case..
Cost of an office vs coworking membership - Most companies would pay on average between £1000-£2000 per month per person for office space in London, taking into account the lease costs, electricity, maintenance, furniture, refreshments, and office support staff. This cost is normally the second highest cost to a company after salaries. So staff working from home is a huge saving to a company, they should be offering staff the option of a local office for them to work from, most coworking sites offer a desk from £200 a month, which seems like a very cost-effective option for any company!
Increase in productivity - Many companies are now reporting a drop in productivity from those remote working. Not having a proper setup at home is one of the reasons blamed for the lack of output, working from laptops rather than screens and keyboards, being distracted by family members, and domestic chores. Having a small private office or desk at a coworking space where you can work productively is only going to benefit the quality of your work.
Work-life balance - Reports are showing that those living alone are suffering the most when it comes to working from home. For days on end they are not actually interacting in person with other people, in some cases, this can lead to increased levels of anxiety and loneliness. Explaining to your employer that you would be happier to be around other people and speak to other humans in person will build a case for why your employer should contribute to the costs of your coworking membership.
If you would like any help putting together a proposal for your employer, please get in touch. We have helped a number of members with a package to present to their employers.