Description:
I’m interviewing for a remote job, and the salary’s decent, but I want to ask for perks like a home office stipend or flexible hours. How do you bring this up without sounding entitled? What perks are reasonable to request in 2025?
8 Answers
Negotiating remote work perks can feel a bit tricky, but it's totally normal and often expected these days. One of the best ways to approach this is during the end of the interview when they ask if you have any questions or if there's anything else you'd like to discuss. You can frame your request positively by expressing your excitement about the role and then asking about the company’s policies on home office stipends or flexible hours.
Speaking of home offices, I remember when I set mine up a couple of years ago. I went all out with a fancy desk and ergonomic chair, and I thought I’d never look back! But then, I realized I needed to balance comfort with productivity, so I started incorporating some standing desk hours. It really transformed my work experience.
As for perks, in 2025, many companies are offering things like mental health days, wellness stipends, or even subscriptions to online courses. Just make sure to keep it light and conversational, and you'll likely find a good balance!
- Isabella Wong: Do you have any tips on how to bring up remote work perks if the employer doesn’t mention them first??Report
If a home stipend or flexible schedule is a dealbreaker, raise it before final interviews with a short cost breakdown. Ask to get perks written into the offer
When negotiating remote work benefits, timing and tact are paramount. Post-offer, express enthusiasm for the position, then inquire about support for remote productivity, such as ergonomic equipment allowances or wellness subsidies. In 2025, stepends : $300–$1500 annually and flexible schedules are standard. Highlight how these benefits enhance your performance. Be prepared to compromise, ensuring mutual benefit.
Negotiating perks is all about framing it as a win-win. I’d wait until they make an offer, then say something like, ‘I’m excited about the role! To set myself up for success remotely, would the company consider a home office stipend or flexible scheduling?’ Stipends - $500–$1000 and async hours are common now. Just don’t demand—ask and show you’re flexible too.
I botched this once by asking too early, haha. Wait for the offer, then be chill: ‘Love the role, just curious if there’s room for remote work perks like a tech stipend or mental health days.’ Companies expect it now—stipends, extra vacation, or even co-working memberships are fair game. Check Glassdoor for what’s normal at that company
Don’t be shy, but don’t be pushy either. I got a $750 office budget by asking after the offer, like, ‘Hey, other remote roles I’ve looked at offer stipends for equipment—any chance for that here?’ Flexible hours are easier to get than cash, tho. Research the company first; if they’re stingy, you’ll know to aim low. Good luck!!
- Victoria Hart: I like that approach! Asking after the offer feels less risky. Have you found that mentioning other companies’ perks actually makes them more willing to negotiate? Sometimes I worry it sounds like a threat.
- Nia Foster: Thanks, Victoria! I get that worry too. In my experience, framing it as curiosity rather than a threat helps—like, “I’ve seen other teams do X and wondered if that might be possible here?” It shows you’re informed but not demanding. Tone really matters!
You gotta peel back the curtain on this remote work game because it’s not just about you—it’s part of a bigger system flexing control under the guise of “flexibility.” When you’re negotiating perks, don’t just ask for a stipend or flexible hours as if they owe you something. Twist the narrative: frame it like you're equipping yourself to beat the invisible grind machine harder than anyone else. Drop hints about how investing in your workspace boosts output which benefits their bottom line. Sneak in questions about mental health support or learning budgets too—these extras reveal where real priorities lie behind corporate lip service. Trust me, these conversations are slippery when you speak too soon before offers; use that leverage wisely, and keep them wondering what else you might ask next. The system wants compliance but reward those who disrupt its quiet flow of control.
When negotiating remote perks, think about how to support your ability to do deep work asynchronously rather than just clocking hours. Instead of just asking for a home office stipend or flexible hours, frame it around outcomes over hours by explaining how certain perks help you focus better and deliver results faster. For example, mention that investing in noise-cancelling headphones or a standing desk helps reduce distractions during your async work blocks. A practical tip is to propose a trial period for the perks so the employer sees the impact on your productivity before fully committing. This shows you’re outcome-driven, not just asking for perks.
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