Telecommuting? Negotiate
expenses
Many people are working from
home these days, on either a full time or part time basis. Sometimes, the
employer demands it, while other times the employer agrees to the request of
an employee. In either case, the question arises: just who should be paying
for office and travel expenses for the at home employee.
Since you are doing work for the
company, the employer ought to be paying for the expenses you incur. If the
employer doesn't offer, you should negotiate to get reimbursement-or better
yet, have things paid for up front so you aren't dipping into your pocket
and waiting for reimbursement.
Some of the things an employer
ought to pay for, assuming they are required for the job, include:
You might set up a company
account with your local office supply store so that you can charge office
supplies directly to the company. You should also get agreements about
liability for any expensive company property you use in your home.
Of course, if the telecommuting
is your idea, rather than the employers, you will have less leverage. For
example, the employer may be reluctant to pay for a computer for you to work
at home when you could do your work at the office. In any case, keep
meticulous records of all purchases so that you can withstand any company
scrutiny of your spending.
