Can you ask employer for funds to spruce up home office?

Q: I’ve been working from home again after returning to the office in the spring. When our office immediately closed in 2020, we were given a $1,500 stipend for office equipment and whatnot. Now that I’m back home, I want to spruce up my office. Can I ask for another stipend?

A: You can ask for anything you want. My first thought: Go for it! My second thought: Keep realistic expectations. You may not get it and you may need to justify it. If it’s to get new decor, your boss will probably nix the idea. But if there’s something related to the job like needing a printer/scanner or upgrading your WiFi connection, you may get it approved. It may not be a full $1,500 and may be based on your receipts submitted for reimbursement. With a lot of “maybe” possibilities, be specific with your ask, know what you’re justifying and realize your boss may say no. But if you don’t ask, you already know the answer is no from the start.

Also, don’t be dismayed if your request is declined. Think about the money you’re likely saving on commuting costs and lunch and other costs that quickly add up when you’re at the company’s headquarters.

Q: I love my job. Love my colleagues. I really, really like my company. But with the latest Supreme Court ruling, everyone is talking about politics, midterms this November, asking everyone to volunteer prior to the elections (on both sides of the aisle), and it has gotten really contentious. It has completely changed the culture. I’m starting to hate it. Should I leave?

A: I hear you and you’re not alone. You have several options. I always think it’s a fantastic idea to look for a new job, especially when you enjoy your current job. You interview from a position of power and candidates, from what I’ve seen when I worked in corporate recruiting, are more discerning with employers, wondering if they’re the right fit rather than solely wondering if the employer likes them. So yes, definitely start looking for a job, but honestly, I would say that regardless of your question!

And should you seriously consider leaving, you’re not going to leave until you have another job lined up. Before you go, you can evaluate the pros and cons of leaving and what the new job offers you in addition to salary and responsibilities — what is the culture like? But it’s challenging to determine if it’s as divisive as your current environment, especially if your interviews are conducted virtually.

Back to your issue: There are ways to handle this in the interim. Can you speak to your boss and/or the team and communicate how you love your job and your work family, but polarized conversations around current events aren’t productive to your job and work relationships? Perhaps set boundaries or “office rules” such as off-limit topics versus what are safe topics, such as vacation destinations, recipes, local sports teams, etc.

Look at this as an opportunity to set boundaries. If individual colleagues ask about your thoughts, you can say something like, “I prefer not to talk about this, so I won’t. How was your weekend?” And pivot into other topics.

— Tribune News Service