by Erisa Ojimba, salary.com
Expenses should my employer pay if I work from home?
I have started a new job under the assumption that I would be working
out of my employer's home-based office for about four months. Now
he is telling me I need to work from my home. I have an associate's
degree with over five years of experience in the administrative
and HR fields. I am doing accounting, HR, business development,
project administration, and travel coordination. He thinks I am
doing a great job.
I onlymake $28,000. Should I ask for a raise? Since I am working from
home and using my own computer and materials, I think he should
increase my pay. He doesn't pay for any of my extra expenses, not
even mileage when I have to travel. How should I approach him about
compensation?
The first step is to determine how much you're worth, using the
Salary Wizard. The basic report
will tell you approximately what this type of job pays in your area,
and the premium report will give you an idea of your specific market
value given your skills and experience.
Having established the appropriate rate for your job, the second step is
to separate your cost of labor from the cost of providing your labor
to your employer. Calculate the business expenses you can reasonably
charge to your employer. For example, call your electric company
and ask for an estimate of the cost of running a computer eight
hours a day, five days a week. Ask your employer to set up a corporate
account at an office supply store, so that you don't have to use
your own money to purchase pens, paper, and other supplies.
Finally,it is entirely appropriate for your employer to pay for your mileage
when carrying out tasks for his company. To find out the cost of
mileage, call your local chamber of commerce or American Automobile
Association.
Again,in your conversation with your employer, separate your salary from
the cost of doing business from home. In other words, you're negotiating
both your salary and your expenses.
