Is there a solution? Consider a work-from-home stipend

Employers can help lighten this new financial load for employees through a fixed or flexible monthly stipend to cover costs like furniture, electricity bills, internet, and office supplies. There are multiple benefits in doing so:

It shows appreciation to employees who have made working from home a success despite the challenges.
Wherever applicable, a remote work stipend could assist companies in following obligations imposed by their state government.
By providing a fixed or flexible stipend, employees will feel the support they need from their employers to stay motivated — something that pays dividends in employee satisfaction and engagement. In a Staples Workplace Survey, 90% of employees said that flexibility in their work arrangements contributes to their morale.

Tactical benefits of remote work stipends

The upside to remote work benefits lies in promoting strategic areas of the business such as culture and values, attracting and retaining talent, inclusivity, and employee engagement. Gallup research shows that 54% of employees said they would leave their jobs for one that offers more flexibility. Specific benefits include but are not limited to the following items:

Companies recognize the importance of having employee compensation-related programs following IRS compliance. Customizable benefits software automatically takes care of that to ensure tax compliance.
Instead of limiting options for all employees, providing a broader benefits offering based on individual employees' interests would positively impact company culture.
Remote work stipends would avoid wasting time on vendor management and decrease the burden on HR.

Examples of a home office stipend

A work-from-home stipend for your remote employees does not have to be complicated or expensive. With so many companies already doing it, it is easy to find an example to model.

Instant Insights /

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