Working from home on own equipment.

Question

Here is the scenario; I'm a .Net software developer that works from home using my own equipment, which I prefer to do because I have a pretty good system for development (dual screens, fast system....)

However from time to time I find that I need to upgrade ram, disk or something that would make it easier and sometimes faster to develop applications.

Since my employer (yes I'm not consulting) didn't have to purchase any equipment and I have a zero space foot print in the office I feel that there should be some sharing of the hardware upgrades.

My questions comes down to this, What arrangement have you had (or suggest) that would be fair to both parties. What justifications do you come up with? Or do you think I'm way off base here?

As always, comments welcomed.

Answer 1

You'll probably find that your employer already thinks he's compensated you for your equipment requirements by letting you work at home.

Answer 2

Are you using the equipment exclusively for your employer?

Answer 3

The issue here is that you establish a precedent, and I would think your employer now assumes it is YOUR responsibility to take care of you own equipment.

Answer 4

I worked from home for 3 years. We didn't have a formal agreement but my employer was generally willing to pay for my equipment. We just discussed on a case-by-case basis.

My theory, and he agreed, was that spending a reasonable amount of money on things that would have a direct effect on my productivity was worth it.

Of course I also had to give back a lot of the stuff they bought for me when I moved on.

Answer 5

I think you need to be aware that your own equipment means it's your own property to be used, maintained and sold by you as your own property (and, presumably also to be used as a tax deduction also perhaps?).

So the business can't claim the usual depreciation costs. Whether you work from home or the office is IMHO not really applicable. Working from home is a benefit in itself (and you can claim home office expenses against tax also.

If the business required you to work with a specific type of hardware or specialist product, then I would expect them to provide it.

However, if you've worked with the company for a while, I think it would be fair to take this kind of thing into consideration during a pay review (or equivalent), especially if other employees get hardware routinely replaced with newer models. It might be a way to suppliment your employee agreement in substitution for a pay rise, for example.

Answer 6

I think the nutshell summary is, if it's your hardware then you are responsible for it. If it's company hardware, they have an obligation to keep it in working order. In any case, saying "I'll be more productive" or "my job would be easier" is a pretty tough sell. Use hard facts to back up your claim.

If you have a good relationship with your boss, simply providing evidence that you genuinely need an upgrade should be sufficient. Make sure you need it and not just want it, and make sure to tell them you're aware that when your employment is up you'll return any hardware they pay for.

Answer 7

I recently spoke with a company about their benefits, and they said a standard benefit was to give a per annum amount for computer upgrades. If the employee wants to spend more, then can, but the company would provide up to (if I remember correctly) $1000 per year, and $2000 after one year of employment.

Answer 8

The problem with having the company buy you pieces of equipment is that you have to keep track of which ones they bought for you and return them when you leave the job.

A better idea may be to just get them to buy you an entire machine. You just use that machine for work, and then return it to them if you leave the job.

I think that any reasonable manager would be perfectly willing to provide proper equipment to their employees to help their productivity.

Answer 9

From my experience in the past, which I feel may have been similar, I was technically responsible for the upkeep of all my hardware. My company offered to purchase hardware for me, and I declined, for the same reason you stated. I like working with my own, higher quality equipment, and don't have the space for another whole setup.

I will say though, that it never hurt me to ask. At one point I requested that my company purchase a video card for me, and they happily obliged. I think it just depends on your specific situation.

Answer 10

I would prefer to keep my systems and work systems separate, as if I was office-based. If you were in the office they would be providing you with kit for exclusive work use, I don't see why that should be different at home.