Computers and Employers: Who Pays for it?
I'm curious what you all think. This is somewhat related to an issue I won't get into here because it's in GD; but at the crux is who should pay for computers?
When we work in an office, it's pretty simple, our employer provides the tools we need to get the job done: desk, tools, computer, chair, etc.
However, most employers expect the employee to provide their own transportation to the work location (some jobs like sales and delivery services are exceptions, but I'm sure most of you have your own car/transportation). After all, we have to buy our own car and/or pay for our own public transportation.
As we move more into the telecommuting world, does our computer become our transportation? Is it realistic at this point that an employer just expects their employees (current and prospective) to provide their own computer?
If you get a job, and your office will be a remote location (remote from company headquarters, likely your home), should we (the employees) be the ones responsible for having to buy our own computers?
To add a wrinkle to this, do we need to buy our own software?
To compare/contrast this to transportation, do you think the company should be able to dictate precisely what we have to buy (Windows vs Mac, laptop vs desktop, faster vs slower--aka more expensive vs. cheaper respectively--etc)?
With transportation, an employer can only require that we have it, but if we are responsible for our own computers, then should the employer be able to dictate exactly what you must purchase?
I know there are jobs out there where the above is true, that's not what I want to discuss. I'm just curious what you all think about this in general.
Have at it!
When we work in an office, it's pretty simple, our employer provides the tools we need to get the job done: desk, tools, computer, chair, etc.
However, most employers expect the employee to provide their own transportation to the work location (some jobs like sales and delivery services are exceptions, but I'm sure most of you have your own car/transportation). After all, we have to buy our own car and/or pay for our own public transportation.
As we move more into the telecommuting world, does our computer become our transportation? Is it realistic at this point that an employer just expects their employees (current and prospective) to provide their own computer?
If you get a job, and your office will be a remote location (remote from company headquarters, likely your home), should we (the employees) be the ones responsible for having to buy our own computers?
To add a wrinkle to this, do we need to buy our own software?
To compare/contrast this to transportation, do you think the company should be able to dictate precisely what we have to buy (Windows vs Mac, laptop vs desktop, faster vs slower--aka more expensive vs. cheaper respectively--etc)?
With transportation, an employer can only require that we have it, but if we are responsible for our own computers, then should the employer be able to dictate exactly what you must purchase?
I know there are jobs out there where the above is true, that's not what I want to discuss. I'm just curious what you all think about this in general.
Have at it!
Comments
Just get it up front. Then there's no confusion.
Originally posted by Scott
It all depends on what negotiated when you're hired. If your a plumber you may have to have your own tools. If you drive a truck maybe you're an owner operator? So a home office might be part of the agreement. If the job changes then it might come down to what's agreed on. It could be you buy your own system or you're fired OR you have you're own hardware we provide the software OR we we give you everything you need.
Just get it up front. Then there's no confusion.
That's too specific. I'm asking the question in more general terms, because frankly, you could make the above statement about anything, e.g. when I was an appraiser I had to agree to obtain and maintain my own E&O insurance.
What I'm talking about is more general. Is there a shift occuring. Are we going to see a general move where employers simply expect that you'll have your own computer to "bring to the table" so to speak.
After all, no employer "requires" you to have a phone, but I bet if you didn't have a phone, you'd be hard-pressed to get a job when you keep leaving the phone-number blank on your resume and the application.