How to Convince Your Employer to Cover Your Work Expenses
Most people don’t love talking about money—but it can be highly beneficial for employers to help out with the costs associated with working from home.
Since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, millions of people have shifted from working in an office to working remotely. And with that, large companies like Twitter, Reddit, and Dropbox have expanded their benefits by offering indefinite remote work.
That shift has helped companies save millions of dollars on office space and overhead costs, and it could have saved employees on their commute to work or eating out for lunch. But sometimes companies forget that remote workers take on new overhead costs while working remote—think about your internet plan, a virtual private network (VPN), and hardware like an ergonomic chair and a standing desk.
We get it. That initial (and ongoing) investment to work remotely can be a burden. Here’s how to get your company to cover it.
What Work Expenses Should You Ask Employers to Cover?
Consider the items that will help you be the most productive worker. My essentials, for example, are the Roost laptop stand, the Logitech ultra-thin external keyboard, Sony soundproof headphones, and a coworking membership through Croissant.
As a digital nomad, I like to try out different coworking spaces in every city I’m located in. Croissant lets me do that by offering a monthly membership that works in many of the local coworking spaces. For example, while working from Buenos Aires, I used the Croissant app to work from Origen Cowork, Cafe Flor, and Manawa Coworking Creativo.
I’m very fortunate in that my employer covers the above costs mentioned.
Here are some other expenses you could ask your employer to cover:
Hardware: Laptop, second monitor, laptop stand, external keyboard, external mouse, sound-proof headphones, external battery, ergonomic chair, stand up desk, external microphone, external camera.
Software: VPN, Krisp.ai, and Spotify.
Coworking: Croissant app, or monthly membership at your local coworking space.
How to Ask for a Stipend or Reimbursement
There’s a reason why two-thirds of people have never asked for a raise. Asking for money can feel unnatural. But when you’re enduring out-of-pocket expenses to keep up your high-quality work, consider getting your employer involved.
Here’s how to approach that conversation:
Compile receipts and expected costs - Create a list of costs you’ve endured or will endure as a remote worker and calculate the total cost. Employers might not realize how much you cover until they see the total calculation.
Calculate how much employers save with remote staff - You don’t need to know the cost of your company’s rent and overhead to drive home the fact that your employer is saving while their staff works from home. Consider everything that’s used in the office and draft a list of everything your employer saves on while their lights are out. Examples include rent (if they close offices indefinitely), utilities, kitchen supplies like coffee, snacks, and drinks, and office supplies.
Pitch your boss on your value - Approach the conversation via video call so you can assess your boss’ nonverbal communication during the conversation. Your boss should already know they’re lucky to have you on their team, but reiterate how much value you bring to the company and outline exactly what you need to do your job well. Bring in statistics to support your pitch, too. For example, studies show that remote workers are 13% more productive than in-office employees. Prove to your employer how you’re more productive at home than in the office with the remote hardware and software you’ve purchased.
What if They Say No? - If your boss or company is against covering your work expenses, ask if you can have a follow-up conversation about it a couple of months down the line. In that time, take note of how your work expenses are making you productive and benefiting your employer in the end.
What Companies Offer Remote Work Stipends?
There are a number of companies that are leading the charge by supporting their remote employees, which has caused a boost in productivity, increase employee retention, and creates happier employees.
Anyplace, a housing marketplace for remote workers and digital nomads has a fully remote staff. The company’s operations manager, Rafael Ayala Lopez, said, “We do everything we can to take the burden off of our employees so they can focus on their work. That’s why we offer a $2,400 stipend annually that employees can spend on coworking spaces, or their home remote set up.”
Anyplace isn’t alone with that kind of offer. Basecamp offers its staff 100% coverage of their hardware and software, and Buffer offers a $200 per month stipend for employees to expense the costs for working from coffee shops or coworking spaces—a small gesture like a free coffee every morning can make a world of a difference.
There’s no harm in asking what your employer can do to help with the new costs of remote work. Be confident about your pitch and remember to share how the reimbursement or stipend will benefit them in the end.
Sarah Archer is a Content Marketing Manager at Anyplace, a marketplace providing people with easy, turn-key housing options all over the world. When she’s not working, she’s likely hiking a new trail, eating pho, or mapping out the next destination.