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Re: Spending My Own Money for Office Comfort

Tip: instead of thinking of the office as the place where you sell your soul, think of it as free real estate and make it as nice for yourself as you can!

gemini://warmedal.se/~bjorn/posts/2022-08-30-spending-my-own-money-for-office-comfort.gmi

I've been in this situation many times, and watched others struggle with this question.

Many people feel they should not pay a penny, let the employer pay for it. While that makes sense, it's still your life!

You get to spend a good chunk (if not most) of your time at your office. Unless you are really destitute, who cares about who pays for it? If your company won't pay for your basic comfort (or your whims which keep you happily working), just pay for it yourself.

Back when I was doing contract work, I would arrive at my temporary office with my own keyboard, notebooks, an automatic pencil I truly love, some foreign coins to fidget with (pounds are particularly nice, especially ones with onions on the back... Cause I have ADHD). Routers, cables, computers, and specialized gear when needed (by the way, tax deductible in the US when you are a contractor, as is pretty much everything that has to do with you working).

For longer gigs, a plant or two, sometimes art for the walls, bookshelves and books, better lamps than standard issue. A stereo system in one particular case. Because music is essential to get me into the zone, and headphones are not always ideal.

For some gigs I would bring my own chair - hey, it's my back that will suffer if I start nickel-and-diming with the office manager for weeks! I had to chain the chair, because I've had chairs disappear before.

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