jrobins

cgWerks said:

Yes, I would think you should at least partially be reimbursed. When I worked from home in my Fortune 100 position (about 50% from home), they installed and paid for the connection, as well as the ***hardware*** VPN equipment. (I'm not sure if more professional VPN software works differently, but I wouldn't trust any of the software VPNs I've used so far, as in the time it takes them to turn on, the computer has probably already logged into and communicated with most everything important anyway).

Now, for a more contractor relationship, or if it isn't really a part of your job-description, and you just work remotely from time to time, then maybe not so much. The VPN issue is still important, though, and I wonder how many of these newer operations getting into remote-work take that seriously.

Yeah remote work isn’t a part of my job description. I have done it on occasion, but only to the extent of answering emails or helping someone troubleshoot an after hours issue over the phone (which was really me going above and beyond- not something I’m expected to do). I think we’re going with a software VPN client (though there is a hardware component on-campus). Much of what we do is cloud-based now, so many of the people outside our department (i.e. teachers) won’t even have a need for VPN. But if suddenly I’m expected to do the full extent of my duties from home every day, I don’t feel comfortable paying for the accommodations for the remote work (phone and internet at least, let alone a decent desk chair). I targeted the job I’m in because it was a non-contract, permanent, on-site IT position with good benefits and I could leave work at work. Many of those things are so rare in the industry today, and I know how privileged I am to have the situation I do. It just not a great feeling to see that slipping away, even if only potentially and temporarily.