A Good Morning Britain guest left viewers enraged after claiming that those who work from home should be paid less. On the popular ITV breakfast show this morning, presenters Adil Ray and Charlotte Hawkins hosted a debate on whether workers should be subsidised for working remotely.
Ever since the Covid pandemic prevented employees from going into offices, working from home has grown in popularity, with many people continuing to do so despite the easing of lockdown restrictions. Appearing on the programme, Tina Knight, the Chairman of Women into Business, left viewers furious after disagreeing that people should be subsidised for working from home.
In fact, she went so far as to suggest that salaries should be cut because of savings made on travel costs. As reported by the Mirror, she argued: "I do not agree. These people will not be paying travel costs, which let's face it, is a very large part of people's salaries. They don't have to pay for lunches.
"I doubt that many people will be cooking a lunch; it's usually crackers and cheese in my experience. They don't have to buy work clothes, they have extra time because they're travelling.
"And the business of them having to pay extra for the facilities - most, not all, of the houses with have people living in them so they're using the facilities anyway. If anything, if there's going to be extra money available, it should go to those trudging into work and keeping the ship afloat."
Even The Apprentice star Lord Sugar got involved in the debate and took to Twitter to share his thoughts. He wrote: " @GMB are saying people who work from home should be paid more to keep warm as companies are saving money while the worker are away.
"RUBBISH they have to pay rent, heating and rates with or without a full work place. People should be paid less they are saving travel costs."
Viewers tuning into the show were less than impressed with her comments. "Pretty ignorant and out of touch to think you should earn less just because you work from home #gmb," one wrote. Another added: "This woman in red is full of it. Companies don’t pay travel costs anyway. Wtf is this woman on #gmb."
A third angry viewer penned on social media: "Get this woman off, chatting absolute c**p. Companies DO NOT take into account for your travel, lunches and work clothes when they set salaries!!! HAHAHAHA #GMB." Another viewer insisted they worked even harder at home than they did in the office.
One said: "It isn't all about money if you WFH.. Its about time. Time with our kids. I work more hours than ever at home. My productivity is through the roof and saving my company vast sums of money. We don't need presentism.. we need trust."
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