Ask HN: Do You Consider Remote a Working Perk?

We're getting hung up on semantics here. What's going on is really a negotiation tactic. Here's what the company is thinking:

- dizzystar would enjoy working remote

- it would be hard for dizzystar to find other remote-working opportunities

- hence, dizzystar would be willing to work for a discounted rate, in order to be remote

In their perspective, there is no "right or wrong". It's purely a matter of negotiation leverage. You have a couple options here:

- admit they are right, and accept a discounted rate

- claim that your rates are final and not negotiable

- claim that you don't value remote working, but because you value them as a client, you're willing to negotiate on your rate

Option 2 is more likely to get you a higher rate, but also more likely to drive them away. Option 3 involves accepting some discount, but at least you minimise the leverage they think they have over you.

This discussion over semantics is not helping anyone. Just treat it as a negotiation game, and play it the way you would any other negotiation scenario.

I think remote work is a benefit when you’re sitting in a cubicle farm 8 hours a day, some days of the week. I’m much, much happier when working from home and can focus much better when it’s required. Definitely not a “taxable benefit”, though, in the sense that you get a decreased salary in exchange for it.

You bring up very good points about working 100% remote, though. It should not constitute a decreased salary unless you’re not working full time remote.

If I were you I’d try to negotiate for the employer to pay for gigabit internet and buy you a nice new PC, then just take those things off the total compensation. Nice thing being that those things are now pretty much tax-free income for you. You’ll be saving on commuting costs, too. Also calculate what you can write off for a home office.

From the point of view of the employer, it does not matter too much that you personally dislike remote work. Their negotiating position is based on the fact that other people think it is a perk, so because of the tradeoff between fun and wages[1], they can find a replacement just a little bit easier than if the position was not remote.

[1] https://www.mruniversity.com/courses/principles-economics-mi...

> There is no such thing as "work stops when you leave the office"

um...I dunno about _you_ but it sure as hell applies to me. I leave my home office for the day and work stops. Emergency fires that affect customers are the only exception and i would help with those even if i didn't work at home. Being able to set boundaries like that when you work from home is _critical_ to maintaining mental health and minimizing stress.

Just my two cents, but agree completely. Remote lets me focus on my work better, and skipping the commute is a huge benefit to my mood overall. Plus far less gas, car maintenance, I can go for a run during lunch...

It's also hard to overstate the freedom it gives you - you can literally live anywhere in the US you please. It's not for everyone but I don't think I could go back at this point.