Hey all—new here and a little confused. I got an offer for what was listed as a full-time “NYC office” coordinator role. During the final interview they mentioned I’d actually be floating: two days at a hoteling space in Long Island City, one or two days at their “Jersey City collaboration space,” and maybe a Midtown location once a month. Is this just normal now? I don’t want to sound difficult before I start, but the commute from my place in Astoria to Jersey City is way longer than I planned. Should I ask for something in writing before signing, or just accept and see?

I’d put it in the same category as the earlier transit thread, “M104 southbound at Broadway & 110: old pole, temp stand, and nobody covers the sign” (M104 southbound at Broadway & 110: old pole, temp stand, and nobody covers the sign): the posted version and the actual setup can be very different. A few things to pin down before you sign:

• Primary work location: Ask which address will be on your offer letter and W-2. That affects New York City resident withholding, possible New Jersey non-resident tax, and commuter benefits.
• Travel time: If they require you to go from LIC to Jersey City mid-day, that’s usually work time. If you’re just reporting to different sites on different days, the first commute of the day normally isn’t paid.
• Reimbursement: Some companies cover extra fare or parking for a non-primary site. Get it in writing.
• Schedule stability: Ask for minimum notice before they change your site days.

I had a similar roving operations job years ago. The offer said SoHo, but I ended up spending three days a week in a shared office off Journal Square. It was fine for a while, but the unreimbursed PATH fare and longer door-to-door added up. I asked for a monthly commuter card and one fixed anchor day. They agreed, but only after I made the ask.

Thanks, that’s helpful. I didn’t even think about the W-2 location thing. I asked the recruiter about the primary address and she said something like “we’re still finalizing the LIC lease, but you’d report there most days.” That felt a little vague. Is it okay to ask them to hold the offer until they can put the primary location in the offer letter? Also—if I live in NYC and work part of the week in NJ, do I still pay NYC city tax on the NJ days? I thought yes if I’m a resident, but wasn’t sure how that interacts.

Not an accountant, but yes: New York City resident tax generally follows you as a resident, so your global income is usually subject to it even if you’re working some days in New Jersey. You may also owe New Jersey non-resident tax for the days actually worked there, with a possible credit to reduce the double hit. If the split becomes regular, it’s worth a session with a tax preparer who handles NY/NJ commuters.

On the offer letter, I’d be firm. A vague “LIC lease still being finalized” is exactly why you want a defined primary address. In offer letters I’ve seen, the base location is standard for a reason: workers’ comp, wage-hour rules, emergency contact, and tax jurisdiction all key off it. An email from the recruiter can create a paper trail, but the offer letter is the document HR systems will follow.

To astoria_arch’s point about travel between sites—yes, that’s generally work time after you arrive at your first work site. The very first commute from home to a site usually isn’t. If they start treating Jersey City as a regular assignment, ask for a reimbursement review.

Wait, this is a thing? I just took a part-time “Chelsea studio assistant” gig and showed up to what is basically a guy’s apartment with a printer in the kitchen. I’m only there two mornings a week, but now I’m wondering if I should be asking for the address in writing too. Do the same rules matter for part-time? My commute is just the 1 train, but I don’t want to end up on his couch all day.

Two different situations here. Beth, your case is more formal: ask for a written schedule or a set number of anchor days, and ask whether commuter benefits or extra transit reimbursement apply if you cross into New Jersey. The city’s commuter benefits law can require pre-tax transit for certain employers, but it doesn’t guarantee reimbursement for a more expensive route. For the tax part, oldyork_otis is right—being a New York City resident doesn’t stop city tax just because you’re in Jersey City two days a week.

Sam, part-time or not, an employer should tell you where you’re working before you show up. A residential apartment used as an office isn’t automatically illegal, but you should confirm the address, hours, and whether you’re an employee or independent contractor. If you’re never given a real work address and you’re being paid casually, get the terms in writing before the next shift. The label “studio assistant” can hide a lot.

Update: I pushed back a little and the recruiter sent an email saying my “primary assignment” would be the LIC location for six months, with Jersey City only as-needed and Midtown no more than once a month for team days. She didn’t put it in the offer letter yet, but said the offer letter uses the corporate address. Is that good enough? It feels much better than before, but I’ve learned from this thread to ask for the specific LIC address. Also, do I need to ask them to cover the difference if as-needed becomes every week?

That sounds like progress. An email from the recruiter isn’t always binding, but it creates a useful paper trail. I’d still want the offer letter to say primary work location: [LIC address] even if a corporate legal address is listed elsewhere. For the as-needed Jersey City piece, yes—ask for a written trigger. Something like “if I’m assigned to Jersey City more than X days in a calendar month, we’ll revisit travel reimbursement or the schedule.” If the recruiter won’t put even that in an email, that’s a useful answer about how the role will actually run.

Also confirm whether the LIC site qualifies for pre-tax transit benefits from day one. If they make you float before the lease is settled, you want the commute and tax withholding questions resolved before your first week.