Working from home as expensive as commuting

Wednesday, 24 June 2015

Working from home as expensive as commuting

Working from home can be as expensive as commuting to work, costing $3600 a year on average according to a new Regus survey.

The global survey found 70% of New Zealand office workers have a home office, but the cost of having it properly equipped is considerable at about US$50 (NZ$70) a week.

This figure includes the cost of equipment, foregoing the use of a room, lighting, heating, office supplies, cleaning and maintenance

By comparison, an all-zone monthly train pass in Auckland costs $3000 a year.

Regus Australia and New Zealand CEO Paul Migliorini says there was a big range of cost estimates from New Zealand respondents to the survey, reflecting the many different costs involved.

“More than a quarter (27%) of New Zealand respondents said it cost less than $110 a week, 40% said it was between $110-$220 and 25% said it cost them $220-$700. Only 10% said it cost more than this,” he says.

“Many employees are paying these costs out of their own pockets. Of the New Zealand respondents who had a home office, only 42% said the firm paid for the equipment.”

The Regus survey also revealed concerns employers are not fully aware of their obligations regarding employees who work from home.

More than 80% New Zealand respondents thought most companies that encourage their employees to work from home are not aware of health and safety obligations or requirements around insurance cover.

Eight out of 10 respondents also felt most companies that encourage their employees to work from home do not cover all the costs of creating and maintaining that workspace.

But Migliorini says the survey shows workers do not believe their bosses are deliberately trying to pass costs onto them by encouraging working from home.

“Only a third (37%) of respondents agreed with the statement “Most companies that encourage their employees to work from home are simply trying to transfer the cost of having workspace onto the employee”,” he says.

“This suggests employers are acting in good faith but need to be better informed about their obligations.”

Migliorini says working from home may seem like a cheap and convenient alternative to travelling to work every day, but it comes with hidden costs and potential pitfalls.

“Working from home is not the only way to provide the flexibility that is becoming increasingly important to workers,” he says.

“Regus offers a variety of solutions, such as virtual offices, meeting rooms and business lounges, that can help achieve this flexibility without some of the drawbacks of working from home.”

www.regus.co.nz

Ends.

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