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Ask HN: Do You Consider Remote a Working Perk?

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Re: Ask HN: Do You Consider Remote a Working Perk?

#81

Post by thatoneyouthrow »

dizzystar wrote: post #63
whack wrote: post #51

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 le…

Right, I did go with a variant on option 3. If it matters, I've only worked on site for one job. I've always been remote otherwise. I probably should have mentioned it in my OP, but really was wondering more about the general perspective on remote.

Another option is to work at a company for a year and then demand remote during a critical part of a project. If they don't give you remote they lose a valuable asset and are behind schedule.

Re: Ask HN: Do You Consider Remote a Working Perk?

#82

Post by thatoneyouthrow »

late2part wrote: post #62
whack wrote: post #51

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 le…

^this. While there is an objective and subjective truth, in this case it's just about negotiation. If I were you, I would follow up on your thoughts with something like: "I don't think it's appropriate for us to make remote or in-office location related to salary. You're hiring me to get things done. I incur higher costs by maintaining a higher office. What recompense do you offer for costs of running a remote office…

I wouldn't even go there. I would just say that my family needs, lifestyle, or need to take care of my parents requires $X. Make something up.

Re: Ask HN: Do You Consider Remote a Working Perk?

#83

Post by muzani »

I spend 3 hours a day in traffic. That comes up to a 8 hour vs 11 hour work day. Transportation cost is about 5% of the salary. The 3 hours is completely lost too - it's not hours I can spend in contemplation. The biggest thing I cut from those hours is exercise, cooking, and grocery shopping. So this would cost me some more in health later.

So remote work is definitely a perk/benefit.

But I think the question here is that it's also a perk to the company; they don't need to pay for office space and all those other things. And there are less people who can fit the remote worker requirements.

So I would say that remote work should pay roughly the same.

Personally, I would take a big hit to pay to work remote, but this is only because on site benefits here don't include computers and comfortable seating.

Re: Ask HN: Do You Consider Remote a Working Perk?

#84

Post by ajeet_dhaliwal »

If not a union we need developer training on negotiation, the hiring staff are too good at it. "Can you consider coming down since this is a remote position?" When I hear that now I'd see through the BS it is, back a few years ago I would thought, may be they have a point.

Re: Ask HN: Do You Consider Remote a Working Perk?

#85

Post by itronitron »

factoryworker wrote: post #42
farnsworthy wrote: post #20

No, working remotely isn't a perk, it's simply: work. [Use of the term "telecommuting" seems like another common giveaway, where and when it appears.] The teams I've worked with have never had difficulty with communicating and collaborating, meeting deadlines and "innovating," and I highly doubt that we're all ninjas (because surely I am not). Typical was my last position: I never clocked in from 9-5, usually from th…

My company recently went through a merger and did the typical rearranging of deck chairs, including renaming things arbitrarily. My department is commercial products (mobile apps). The new name for this department? "Agile Build Factory" They're literally telling us we're factory workers to them. My objections to this name were met with blinks and hand waves.

Maybe they could rename it to the Dynamic Agile Factory Team.

Re: Ask HN: Do You Consider Remote a Working Perk?

#86

Post by Jeremy1026 »

scarecrowbob wrote: post #36

I don't consider it a perk, but at this point you'd have to pay me a lot more to come to an office. I don't think that I would (have to?) take less just because they want to hire me. I agree that "remote work" is a skill into itself, but no matter how much I value that, I don't see how it's costing my employer anything. If anything they ought to pay me more because they don't ave to provide my office and coffee and w…

"at this point you'd have to pay me a lot more to come to an office"

So then you're saying that you will work for less to work remote, because you value it as a perk.

Re: Ask HN: Do You Consider Remote a Working Perk?

#87

Post by scarecrowbob »

Jeremy1026 wrote: post #86
scarecrowbob wrote: post #36

I don't consider it a perk, but at this point you'd have to pay me a lot more to come to an office. I don't think that I would (have to?) take less just because they want to hire me. I agree that "remote work" is a skill into itself, but no matter how much I value that, I don't see how it's costing my employer anything. If anything they ought to pay me more because they don't ave to provide my office and coffee and w…

"at this point you'd have to pay me a lot more to come to an office" So then you're saying that you will work for less to work remote, because you value it as a perk.

I suppose that any point of negotiation is a perk?

I mean, I'd work with a live band playing in the room if you'd pay me enough and give me ear plugs, so I suppose "no live music at work" is a perk? I dunno?

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