After working at home during the pandemic, workers are finding returning to the office a costly change. Aside from spending more time and energy commuting, many workers now have to dig into their pockets to cover expenses they did not have at home.
For three years, three months, and five days, we worked from home, cooked our meals, made our own coffees, and wore business shirts with sweatpants. However, since the WHO announced the end of the public health emergency, many companies are forcing employees back to the office. Aside from spending more time and energy, returning to the office is also causing employees to spend much more money.
Why Is Returning to the Office So Expensive?
With prices on the rise around the world, pre-pandemic salaries aren’t cutting it anymore. We were accustomed to inflation rates of around 2% for the past ten years. In 2021, this rate rose to 5.4%. This increase affected clothing, groceries, gas, electronics, cars, furniture, and more. Luckily, with inflation falling, prices are beginning to stabilize, but that does not mean that prices will decrease.
Now that big companies like Amazon, JP Morgan, and Salesforce require workers to commute to the office, employees have to invest in much more than running a household and maintaining a social life.
Average Breakdown of Daily Costs:
- Coffee: $5
- Lunch: $15
- Gas: $5
- Childcare or dog sitter: $50 to $100
On top of these daily costs, many employees, managers, and bosses need to revamp their business wardrobe, shoes, hair products, and make-up, which could add up to $1,500 a year or $125 a month. Add in the cost of dry cleaning, and prices skyrocket.
Aside from monetary losses, returning to the office also takes more time out of employees’ days. The average US employee drives about 20 miles each way to work. Assuming the employee showers and eats breakfast at home, they’re preparing for and driving to work for approximately an hour and a half before clocking in. Add another 30 minutes for their commute home, and they’ve lost at least two hours.
5 Ways to Mitigate These Costs
- Talk to the CEO about a hybrid role. By going into the office three days a week instead of five, you could save up to $300 or more.
- Meal prep. Spend a few hours preparing meals to freeze and take to work. Make large trays of vegetables and mix and match them with different proteins and starches.
- Brew at home. Make a one-time investment in a thermal cup and automated coffee machine.
- Carpool. Set up a carpool plan with coworkers if public transportation is unavailable or doesn’t work with your schedule. If your office doesn’t have free parking, carpooling will save you more than just gas money.
- Ask for a raise. Map out the exact amount you are spending by returning to the office and talk to your superior about a pay increase. Even if they say no, you could barter included lunches, different hours, or a public transportation pass.
What Does the Future Hold?
No matter what Elon Musk says, remote work, while it may be evolving, is here to stay. With millennials making up 35% of the workforce, big companies need to be flexible to meet the demands of this generation. Whether this flexibility shows itself in the form of hybrid roles, creative and inviting workspaces, or benefits, mundane 9-5 jobs in drab office buildings are on their way out.
Additionally, many employers are expected to offer significant salary increases this year. Before griping about returning to the office, it may be worth asking for a raise. Decide what’s most important for you and go in with confidence.
