Hi Ali & Michael,

I have some real major concerns about working from home. I know that I should be thankful that I still have a job but all of my household bills are increasing because I work from home. I understand everyone’s health concerns but I don’t think as a collective we realize that HC is demanding more from us than they are willing to give to their employees.

For example, my $60 electric bill has doubled to $120. I am not IT or the fix it line, but I had to break down, move, and set-up my own office. I have back problems and I am not going to receive an ergonomic consult to make sure my work station is set-up. My internet had to be upgraded, so that I can work from home. That cost me an additional $80 a month. My central air is constantly running because whereas before I was away from home for 8 hours of the day. I have my leadership talking about their penthouse view of the city burning, while my bills are burning a hole in my pocket and this is degrading my mental health.

I know that all of this was unexpected, and that some of these expenses can be written off on our taxes, but what is the Administration doing to address that? They are leasing our home office space for free. It’s great that I’m still working, but I am finding it hard to maintain a healthy work/life balance. There is no way to separate the two. If this is the new norm, I can’t afford it. This whole experience has left me drained and these blurred lines aren’t helping.

I need to know what my union is doing to address my concerns. I also need to know how the Administration plans to address the financial strain that they are putting on its employees, and how do we balance home and work life when they have become one and the same?

The employee experience is really starting to suck!