FIVE THINGS ABOUT WORKING FROM HOME FOR FACEBOOK

Mark Zuckerberg predicted this week that, within a decade, half of Facebook’s employees would work from home. But for staff who planned to take their six-figure salaries, move out of expensive Silicon Valley lodgings and bank the difference on a Mexican beach, the company founder had news: Move somewhere cheaper, and your salary will be cut.

1 QUALITY CONTROL

As of Jan 1, Facebook employees working remotely will have their compensation adjusted depending on where they live, with those in cities where living

and labour costs are higher receiving more. This will mean pay cuts for almost all who move. Facebook’s headquarters are in San Mateo, America’s sixth-wealthiest county,

so relocating will almost certainly mean pay reductions. In cheaper places, Zuckerberg said, “salaries tend to be somewhat lower … even though you can have a better quality of life than (in) some of the bigger

cities.”

2 GET A GOOD VPN

Cheating the system would result in “severe ramifications.”

Zuckerberg said Facebook would monitor the internet addresses of people logging in remotely to ensure they were not lying in an attempt to maintain salaries.

3 THE RIGHT METRIC

Though companies have always adjusted pay based on different housing and labour markets, that has been because they needed workers to be physically near an office. With employees working from home, the calculus might be different. If a worker is as productive in Lethbridge as in London, they are worth the same to the company.

4 NO … MAYBE … YES

Zuckerberg denied the push to remote working was related to cost savings. He said travel costs to in-person events, the need to provide IT equipment and internet connections, and the potential need to hire more staff to deal with remote working meant it would not necessarily be cheaper. However, he admitted it could reduce costs through reduced office rents as well as salaries and benefits.

5 THE OCEAN SOUNDS NICE. OR NOT

Facebook said three-quarters of employees interested in remote work expected to move if they worked from home permanently. But if that were to mean giving up some compensation, it’s possible they might give different answers.