Backup Computer? in These Foolish Things

I haven’t felt like working all afternoon. Spent the whole morning and most of the afternoon in meetings - from 8:30am (talking to China) until 2:00 (meeting with the Exec Team) - I sat here at my dining room “desk” talking to my computer screen. Ughhhh. I still hate WFH.

In related news, the team got this email yesterday from Inbox Nazi:

Hey everyone,

There have been some ongoing conversations that suggested now would be a good time to define the company position on computers, equipment, and internet access. Here is the basic protocol we have in place.

1. As a condition of employment, all employees are required to provide adequate computer systems that will enable them to do the job for which they have been hired with speed and efficiency.

2. All employees are expected to maintain their equipment in order to guarantee continuity of work and access should their equipment prove faulty, this includes having alternatives ready and/or maintaining a backup computer. The goal is to have a minimum of down-time with a maximum of one day.

3. As a condition of employment, all employees are required to maintain working internet with an adequate amount of bandwidth to sustain video conferencing and computing (50mbs is acceptable, but 100mbs is preferred).

If any of these conditions are not currently in place, please let me know and begin taking steps to remedy it.

I also want to acknowledge that the company has made exceptions on equipment in the past, but these will be the protocols moving forward without exception.

Please acknowledge receipt of this and let me know if you have any questions.

I mean. Really? I took all night to think about how to answer. I consulted legal websites on WFH. I tried to compose an email that didn’t sound like I was furious. I’ve never worked for a company that didn’t provide the tools needed to do the freaking job.

So this morning before we had a touch-base meeting, I told him that I received his email, but had several questions about reimbursement and asked him what he meant by “alternatives” and if I was expected to BUY a backup computer! And I also noted that most companies with remote employees reimburse at least a portion of their phone and internet.

When we had our meeting I told him that I’d never worked for a company that didn’t provide ALL of the equipment needed and he was…SURPRISED?! I mean… has this man ever worked for a COMPANY?! I kinda don’t think so!

He told me that the email was mostly directed at the guy who does all of our video production. Apparently, his shit broke and when that happens, we can’t churn out content, which is a good chunk of our bread and butter.

But he also said he’d get me an answer on reimbursement for wear and tear and other shit like that.

Y’all. I’m worried about this job. I’m worried about my security. I don’t know that the company really knows what is what and there is a risk that things could go sideways.

It’s time to start protecting myself again.

UGHHHH.
GS