When being offered a job, taking the amount of pay into consideration can be one of the more difficult elements of deciding whether or not to take it. However, in the year of our lord 2024, there are even more aspects to take into account — like deductions for working from home.
As workplaces across the world responded to COVID-19 by implementing the ability for employees to work from home (WFH), at first it seemed like the perfect modern solution to being locked inside.
Then when the world opened back up again, many businesses kept this WFH option available, in recognition of the fact that sometimes not everybody is able to make it to an office, but still wants to work.
Now, years after the pandemic, we find the debate around “returning to the office” vs working from home has become a point of contention between traditional employers and employees.
On one hand, employers may fear it gives workers the ability to slack off because they aren’t in a space where their superiors can manage them. On the other, it means workers are happy and more willing to work, even when they otherwise wouldn’t, as they have the choice to do it all from home.
However, recently the discourse stepped up a notch when businesses began offering less pay for roles that didn’t require employees to be in the office.
This brings us to the little rest-stop of the internet that is the r/Australia subreddit, where one user claimed they were offered $20K less a year for a job that would allow them to work from home.
“I’ve got a job offer that’s $20k less than my previous job but it’s WFH instead of in the office, and to be honest I’m really considering it,” they wrote.
“$20k sounds like a ridiculous amount of money but I guess that’s how much I value sleep, exercise, nice food, and all the rest.
“What do you reckon your limit would be?”
So should you take a pay cut to work from home? Let the Reddit debate begin!
Should you take a pay cut to work from home?
In response to the question, some Redditors quickly established that taking the cut depended on what the initial base salary was. ‘Cos there’s a big difference between going down from $300K a year to $280K and going from $70K a year to $50K.
The other first point made by netizens was how much could be saved on transport and food.
“How much were you spending on fuel to get to the office? Wear and tear on the vehicle,” one person said.
“There’s that and eating outside. Not to forget the peace of mind of sleeping more in the morning and not sitting in traffic,” another chimed in.
Meanwhile, another person highlighted the importance of having everything written plain-as-day in your contract, to not have a fast one pulled on you.
“Be careful to have WFH written in your contract if you take a cut. Company policy can change at any time,” they wrote.
Some folks were strongly opposed to the idea of taking a pay cut, and said it was “not happening”.
“My employer saves on premises rent, public liability insurance, electricity, water, travel allowance, clothing allowance, internet, maintenance, and then they want me to take a pay cut?” one said.
Others agreed with the sentiment and encouraged others to know their worth.
However, on the other side of the argument were people pointing out how they would happily take the cut if it meant avoiding burnout.
“I’d easily take a $20k cut not to bother with that noise. WFH has been transformative for me,” a Redditor commented.
“As you say, I actually get enough sleep instead of feeling like a zombie most of the time, get to exercise before work, and most importantly spend the day around my family instead of colleagues.”
Another highlighted how they were offered the same pay cut and took it, simply for the “quality of life” improvement.
In terms of what is best for you, it seems like it’s a case-by-case basis that needs to be determined based on your needs and desires.
Of course, some people pointed out that working from home in their field just isn’t possible. Like this emergency service worker who said: “I’m a firefighter. So… I’m just gonna avoid bringing work home.”
Probably a good choice, mate.
Lead Image: Getty
The post Aussies Debate Taking A Pay Cut To Work From Home After Redditor Gets Offered $20K Less For Job appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
