UAE jobs: Should companies cut allowances of employees who work from home?

UAE jobs: Should companies cut allowances of employees who work from home?

Published: Sat 11 May 2024, 6:00 AM

Question: Should there be a difference in allowances offered to those who work from home, given they are saving on transport costs (but are spending on their own Wi-Fi and electricity for office work) as opposed to those who are working from the office?

Answer: Navigating the maze of compensations for our colleagues working in the office, versus those who work remotely... well, it's like trying to split a restaurant bill when everyone's had a different number of appetizers. Personally, I just wouldn't go there.

Why? Because whether Alex is saving on gas but upping his electricity use and paying a premium for fast Wi-Fi for his home office, or Maryam is splurging a little extra on her downtown rent to save her sanity from the daily commute, it's a balancing act that could make even the most patient finance partner’s head spin.

Getting into the nitty-gritty of every employee's home-office setup compared to their desk at HQ is a recipe for a spreadsheet migraine. What if Alex, in a burst of social craving, ditches his home setup and heads back to the office? You'd have to hit the reset button on the whole calculation circus. What