• How remote workers are adapting to ever-rising costs of living 

The pandemic changed how we live and work overnight. Most workplaces had to be agile and shift to working remotely with zero notice. This shift highlighted the fact that for many industries, working almost entirely remotely was not only possible but also in many cases, practical.  

From an employer’s perspective, focus and productivity improved, and administrative costs reduced with many downsizing their physical office spaces. From an employee’s perspective, remote work offered greater flexibility, improved work-life balance, and saved the time and expense of commuting.

Overall, remote work has become a much more popular mode of work since the pandemic, but all is not rosy. With reports that yet another new electricity tariff will increase the electricity rates from 8% to 14.4%, remote workers have expressed concerns that remote work might just face new challenges. Reports state that the tariff is primarily driven by a rise in fuel costs, which is expected to increase the cost of living across the board. 

The Daily Morning Brunch checked in with remote workers on what these rising costs mean when it comes to working from home. “I spend a considerable amount on utilities as a person working from home,” Aathmika Abeysekara, 25, told The Daily Morning Brunch, explaining that remote workers usually cover the cost of their own electricity, which 

Battling escalating costs

While the rising costs of living have been tormenting all of us, the rise in electricity prices have hit many of us hard. In order to reduce the burden on consumers, the Government committed a subsidy of Rs. 15 billion, ensuring that domestic consumers who use between 0 to 180 units per month will not see a rise in their bills.

Yet, keeping to those limits have become challenging for many consumers. “Even with us scaling back our household electricity bill to Rs. 9,000, if we run it over around 570 units, we would be liable to pay another Rs.1,760,” Abeyasekera said. 

Meanwhile, others said that rising electricity prices have left them demotivated, especially since working from home used to be a safe space.  “The reason I chose working from home is to limit interactions with sexist coworkers,” Amaya De Silva, 27, said. “Yet working from home has become difficult too, especially since our employers bless us with these so-called salaries that do not cover the rising costs of utilities.”

Yet, De Silva said that despite rising costs, she still makes remote working possible. 

Finding creative solutions

Many readers said that they often resort to cutting their electricity usage, even at the expense of their own comfort. 

“We no longer use the air conditioning we have fitted though it would have been useful in the heatwave,” Abeysekara said. “We rely on stand fans instead and yet we are still unable to reduce the cost of electricity consumption further.” 

Meanwhile, others said that sharing costs help to keep their bills down. “If we get together at someone’s house and work, we can split the costs and save money,” Amanda Kandegoda, 26, said. “It’s a creative solution but it works well.” 

Meanwhile, many other readers stated that they prefer working in alternative spaces.

With rising prices, many readers have taken to working in cafes and libraries in an attempt to stay below 180 units. 

“Lakmahal is a lifesaver,” De Silva said. “I go there and get my work done so I don’t have to run my fan and waste electricity.” 

Meanwhile, others have taken to working in cafes where remote workers are often welcomed.

“I love working in cafes because it gives me a sense of freedom and there are several cafe chains that welcome remote workers and are affordable,” Senuri Weerasekara,27, said. 

Yet, other readers say that these alternative spaces also come with their fair share of challenges that make remote work difficult. 

“I found that libraries tend to overcrowd soon or don’t have outlets for charging laptops,” Abeysekara said, “Cafes also tend to play loud music and most patrons look like they are struggling to focus on something themselves.” 

Other readers echoed Abeysekara’s thoughts stating that the loud music in cafes makes it hard to work and focus. 

“Cafes, especially those who brand themselves as remote worker friendly, really need to turn down the music,” Shaveen Haran, 29, said. “I really can’t focus on getting my work done.” 

Abeysekara noted that because of the limitations of working in these spaces, she prefers co-working spaces that offer a quiet desk with outlets where she can charge her laptop. 

Yet, many readers said they wished that they could find a long-term solution to the problem. 

The future of remote work

While readers expressed frustration at rising costs, all of them said that they would never trade working remotely with a day in the office. “I definitely won’t be going back to the office unless it’s for my weekly check ins,” De Silva said. “Remote working has given me the freedom to avoid stares, inappropriate questions and enforced corporate culture and I will continue to work remotely at any cost.” 

She noted that while costs of remote work might go up, workers are creative  and resourceful enough to come up with solutions. Many readers noted that working at cafes, libraries and coworking spaces actually makes them commute, thus removing one of the major advantages of remote working. 

This is why many of us look for solutions that work. “We use solar power so I didn’t even know that electricity prices have gone up until my girlfriend told me about it,” Sampath Rajapaksha, 31, said. 

Rajapaksha said that switching to sustainable energy would help in the long run in not only reducing costs but in the greater cause of conservation. “I think getting solar panels would be great for a lot of people,” he said. “Because remote work has to continue.”