I have worked at home for many years and love it. However there is no justification to give you a pay cut to work at home as the company saves on overhead if they can, reduce the amount of office space they need.

Once the pay is gone, it is hard to get it back....

krantcents said:

This is a trick question because many of our jobs can not work from home.  We would have to change which would not be all that bad, but it is different.  Add the change in income, what are you willing to give up? 

Yes it is a trick question.  My purpose was to make myself and others focus and try to put a value on the "work at home" perk.  A few weeks ago, we had a discussion, how much would it take for you to change jobs?  Some people were realistic while others went very high.  A commenter asked, "Do you really want to leave your job?"  If your pay raise or cut is realistic, if you really wanted to change jobs or get the work at home perk, I'm sure you could make plans to get there.

As a teacher, I can not work from home.  Working from home is attractive under certain circumstances.  If I earned sufficient earnings online, I would consider it after I retire. I can't now becuase of the pension and benefits, it is too seet a deal to give up. 

I could cut out on the huge expense of transportation. I travel a lot, so I would not have to spend the money on gas, and we could also feasibly drop down to one vehicle. This would more than make up for my 25% reduction in salary. 

I think I work better from home so it'd be an asset to my employers, especially if I had children so I could still somehow manage sick kiddos or heck, even a sick *me* while getting *some* work done.  

How much would I give up to work for myself is an entirely different question and I would think 50%.  Not in a position to do so now but in a few years.

This is a trick question because many of our jobs can not work from home.  We would have to change which would not be all that bad, but it is different.  Add the change in income, what are you willing to give up? 

Yes it is a trick question.  My purpose was to make myself and others focus and try to put a value on the "work at home" perk.  A few weeks ago, we had a discussion, how much would it take for you to change jobs?  Some people were realistic while others went very high.  A commenter asked, "Do you really want to leave your job?"  If your pay raise or cut is realistic, if you really wanted to change jobs or get the work at home perk, I'm sure you could make plans to get there.

Right now i'd take a 50% salary cut.  Being a new Dad, and knowing I can do online work for income (blog, representing others for advertising etc) we'd be more than comfortable, even though I have the higher salary, I have the web stuff and the ability to consult (10 yrs intimate knowledge of the govt employer business).

That being said, the benefits, pension and good pay are awfully hard to give up.

You are in a good spot with your blog and consulting possibilites.  Good lesson to all to give yourself as many options as possible.

If it had been offered 6 months ago, I would have taken up to about a 20% cut.  As it turns out, I wouldn't keep the job now, if they offered me a raise... My how things change.

 

I hear you.  Life is strange that way.  I read about your situation.  Sounds like you're better off without them.  Good Luck!