This is how much companies will pay for working from home. There will be no coconuts

On April 7, amendments to the Labor Code will come into force, which will regulate the rules for remote work. Today it is one of the main topics in many Polish companies. However, the most contentious among employees is the amount that the employer must cover for additional fees associated with doing work online. First of all, we are talking about the cost of electricity, Internet, telephone or water consumption at home.

Many important questions regarding changes to remote work have been raised by the Ministry of Family and Social Policy. The ministry touched upon the issues of the amendment, as well as the organization of online work between the employee and the employer. Everything is available on the ministry’s website in the “Remote work - questions and answers” tab.

How much does remote work cost? Employees negotiate this with their employers

However, not all issues have been resolved. Employees should discuss financial matters with their employers. According to the Ministry of Family Affairs, detailed rules for employers to cover the costs of remote work will become a mandatory part of an internal agreement or company rules.

If there are no agreements or company rules regarding the equivalent, the employer will determine a separate amount at a meeting with employees. And so it is in many companies.

The company’s employees want the equivalent of PLN 250-300. Head of another opinion

Negotiations have been going on for the second week at the Warsaw headquarters of a large financial company. - The boss offered us the equivalent of PLN 50 per month. The staff felt cheated. They want to receive 250-300 zlotys, the so-called. Internet salary increase says one of the company’s employees in an interview with Wprost.pl. - This week we were offered PLN 80 per month. Negotiations continue, but each side sticks to its arguments he adds.

Employees calculated their expenses for online work. In their opinion, PLN 100-150 is a monthly fee for home Internet. Another PLN 100 must be added to electricity. An additional equivalent in the amount of several tens of zlotys should be issued to employees using personal phones.

Companies develop and implement new documents and procedures. And they consider the equivalent

“The amendment to the Labor Code introduces a number of changes, and most of them will consist in the development and implementation of new documents and procedures, such as rules for remote work, sample contracts with employees, procedures for protecting personal data about remote work or assessing professional risks,” says Marcelina Chojnicka, public advocacy coordinator for SoDA, an association of Polish technology companies founded in 2018.

- Regarding the need to pay the equivalent or a lump sum for remote work, it can be noted that each of the subjects individually approaches the calculation of such an amount. he adds.

Most prefer to settle as a lump sum. The amounts are not large.

A survey conducted among companies associated with SoDA shows that 64 percent. of those surveyed claim the calculation in the form of a lump-sum payment, and the remaining 36 percent. choose the equivalent.

- Estimated amounts payable vary from PLN 40 to PLN 80 per employee. says Marcelina Chojnacka. “This amount, of course, includes such elements as the cost of electricity, communication services and other costs directly related to the implementation of remote work, which companies undertake to cover under contracts or regulations,” he points out.

In her opinion, these are basic amounts, and there may also be individual agreements, because IT companies are distinguished by a flexible approach to employees.