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Corporate Apartments
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I work for a small company (30 ees). We have a CIO who commutes weekly from another state. She flies in each Sunday from IL, and flies back each Wed. The company provides a corporate apartment for her
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Corporate Apartments
posted at 5/13/2010 10:08 AM EDT
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Posts: 14
First: 10/16/2009 Last: 6/21/2010 |
I work for a small company (30 ees). We have a CIO who commutes weekly from another state. She flies in each Sunday from IL, and flies back each Wed. The company provides a corporate apartment for her when she is here.
We are trying to determine what is the standard offering (if there is a standard) for a corporate apartment. For example, is a housecleaning service cost covered by the company? How about items like an A/C when it is hot? Do the company hire somebody to go to the store and stock the refrigerator? I ask these questions because this started several months ago before I joined the company, and many of these details were not discussed in advance with the CIO, and some expenses are now coming into question. It also opens up the issue of other C-level executives who live local, and therefore do not receive these types of benefits. If anybody works for a company who utilizes corporate apartments, I would love to hear what you do. Thanks! |
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Corporate Apartments
posted at 5/13/2010 11:46 AM EDT
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Posts: 1103
First: 3/16/2007 Last: 8/19/2011 |
In my experience, and as one who has used a corporate apartment the detail you are seeking could potentially be a bit over the top. Some of it is not however. maid service and air conditioning are an eample. Maid service should be identified and agreed upon. Often times it is part of the package. Most commonly I have seen apartments either have all utilities paid or a monthly utility "allowance." Anything over the allowance comes out of the individuals paocket. Same for cable TV and internet access. basic services are usually included. Premium services and on-demand are out of the individuals pocket.
Refrigerator servoices, in my opinion, are over the top. It is one thing to cover meals. It is another to "stock a refrigerator). Hope I helped. |
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Corporate Apartments
posted at 5/18/2010 7:35 AM EDT
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Posts: 18
First: 5/20/2009 Last: 4/19/2011 |
This seems to be riding a fine line between a housing policy and a travel policy. Given the size of your organization and the uniqueness of the situation, I urge you to establish consistent practice in agreement with your CIO. I also commute weekly for my organization, but we have aligned expenses with our travel policy rather than housing. It ends up being a significant savings to the Company. Seriously, wouldn't she be feeding herself if she stayed home? I agree that stocking the fridge is way over the top. |
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Corporate Apartments
posted at 6/22/2010 6:48 AM EDT
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Posts: 3
First: 3/25/2008 Last: 6/22/2010 |
Important question: is the apartment used for other corporate visitors/executives? If so, the one essential is that a housecleaning service be provided to include laundering of linens etc. Extra services should be given for "special" guests, but not necessarily for regular employees, no matter how senior they are. As mentioned, they can provide for their personal needs as they most likely are given a travelling allowance (per diem). This is how it is done in my company. |
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Corporate Apartments
posted at 6/22/2010 7:10 AM EDT
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Posts: 5
First: 6/22/2010 Last: 2/23/2011 |
Please be careful how you administer the benefits. There is legal precedence for when the exception to the rule happens often, then the esception becomes the rule. If you continue to extend benefits to the one commuter, you may ultimately have to do the same for the rest of the C-levelers. Get this under control now before the nightmare ensures. |
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Corporate Apartments
posted at 6/22/2010 9:04 AM EDT
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Posts: 562
First: 11/12/2009 Last: 9/14/2011 |
I'm with hrbth on this one. While exceptions to benefits for one employee or another will cause problems at some point, something corporate apartments at this high level is typically individually negotiated with the employee.
It certainly wouldn't hurt to have some guidelines in place for future similar situations but I wouldn't put a whole lot of effort into it. |
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Corporate Apartments
posted at 6/22/2010 10:07 AM EDT
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Posts: 8
First: 5/1/2001 Last: 6/22/2010 |
I had this situation some years ago when the owner of the company lived on the East coast and we were in the Midwest. The whole idea of the apartment was that it was cheaper than a hotel - back in the days before extended stay hotels were common. The apartment we had was nothing fancy but we did have maid service - which included laundry services. We did not stock the refrigerator with food but kept things on hand such as salt & pepper, coffee & tea, paper goods, etc. Utilities were paid as part of the lease. I think if cable TV or internet was necessary, we would have paid for that, too. Of course, he was the OWNER of the company, not an employee.
However, making sure the place was in good order and had the basic necessities became a burden. For example, before and after each visit, I had to go over there and take inventory and, usually, had to take out the trash because there would be carryout food containers, etc., in it and the maid wouldn't be coming for a couple of days. Why not check into negotiating a long-term arrangement with an extended stay hotel in your area? I know that's what I would do if I had to deal with that today. |
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