We have employees who work from home. If they needed a specialized internet connection (some home connections block VPNs which are needed for work), then we paid for it. If they already had internet and it worked to connect to our office, we didn't.

We pay for the employee's computer. We don't pay for electricity.

Don't ask. This is a ridiculous request.

I see where you're coming from op, but I think the best analogue is to an office move. Management could have moved your office 20 miles away from your old location, and it's unlikely that you would have gotten any additional compensation to make up for additional commuting costs.

Anonymous wrote:I would be thanking my lucky stars I still had a job after they closed my local office, not dickering about $60 extra a month.

This. Seriously.

Its called layering with sweaters and using a blanket. Seriously?

Anonymous wrote:OP again -- I'm not paying for electricity for one room. The electricity bill is so much higher because I have to heat the home while I'm there.

You're only going to have to heat the home for what, another few months? It's really not worth making a big deal about something so negligible.

When I worked from home for a company I got all my office equipment and supplies covered as well as a separate phone and fax line (these were necessary back then). But it was all expenses specific to the business. I didn't charge them for Internet since I already had it but some other people in the company did.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again -- I'm not paying for electricity for one room. The electricity bill is so much higher because I have to heat the home while I'm there.

Get a space heater.

This is what I do--turn the heat way down and have a space heater. Even if you didn't have commuting costs you are probably saving money on clothes--I no longer need a wardrobe of work appropriate clothes which has saved me hundreds of dollars.

You get to work from home full time. If you complain about anything, you are crazy.

I work at home 50% of the time and do not get an allowance. If I asked, I'd be laughed at quite loudly. OP, you have really got a good deal - office closed but you still have a job! Consider the option of being terminated and having to find a job that you would need to either drive or metro to.

I work at home and keep the heat on 60. I wear layers and warm slippers, drink hot tea, and turn on a space heater if it seems really chilly.

I would be thanking my lucky stars I still had a job after they closed my local office, not dickering about $60 extra a month.

I work 100% telecommute, and no, it is not standard at all to receive any sort of "allowance" for doing so. Many people in my company also telecommute, and most don't get home equipment covered, either (I do, but only because I use more specialized equipment than the standard computer/printer/phone).

I also agree your best bet is to negotiate a raise. However, you seem to have an attitude of entitlement -- that will not get you a raise (whining "I have to pay a little more on my electricity" isn't a reason for a company to pay you more, especially in an economy in which they have closed an office!). You need to prove to the company why it makes good business sense for them to pay you more. Unless there's a compelling business reason, I don't see why they would up your salary.

Did the close the DC office because they're not doing well?

You will lose even more money when you are fired and need to get a job 30 miles away.