Employers group AWVN is in favour of a new travel and home working allowance scheme to reflect the new post-coronavirus situation in which home working is the norm.

Some 95% of AWVN members said staff would be working from home at least two days a week post-coronavirus crisis, which would make a revision of the current system of travel expenses necessary.

Three out of four employers said they are willing to pay a travel allowance on the days staff come in to work and an amount of €2 a day for working from home. The amount, based on calculations by family spending institute Nibud, covers the cost of gas, electricity, coffee, toilet paper and depreciation costs for desks and chairs.

Trade unions have already made agreements with some employers in the finance and public sectors about the home working allowances.

Union federation FNV said it is not opposed to a new scheme. ‘If you are not travelling then it’s only logical you will not be compensated,’ a spokesman told broadcaster NOS.

‘But we do want a realistic home working allowance and compensation for people who have, for instance, bought a car to get to work, or a rail card. Travel allowances are part of the collective labour agreement. That money cannot simply disappear into the pockets of the employers.’