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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think that everyone WFH thinks they are more productive but this view isn’t necessarily shared

287 replies

Cucumbertomatoes · 12/09/2023 18:32

On here, everyone who WFH insists they are much more productive than in the office. However, I’ve noticed this view is rarely shared by others, hence companies wanting workers back. It’s an interesting one as clearly perceptions vary. AIBU to think that while you might think you’re more productive you may not be?

OP posts:
GorillaInBikini · 12/09/2023 18:41

It depends who. I have colleagues who I believe are more productive because they care about their output and reputation. I certainly use my commuting time to WFH when I am at home but I love the office so try to get in 2-3 times a week. Then I have a couple working from me who go off the radar for ages and I'm sure are napping or watching Netflix.

I do think the office can be more effective though, especially if you need to build relationships to progress.

cruffinsmuffin · 12/09/2023 18:41

I'm just as productive as is 90% of our workforce - we've delivered record results since the pandemic year on year.

I'm in a role that's easily quantifiable in terms of output though, I'd imagine perhaps in a role with less obvious deliverables or time pressured tasks it might be easy to slip. There are several team members who are less productive though, but they're the minority!

In office is nice a few times a week but I'm just as productive being able to beaver away at home without as many distractions.

DisorganisedParent · 12/09/2023 18:40

I'm disabled. I get far far more done WFH than I've ever done being office based and my sickness is also down to nearly nil.

Pfpppl · 12/09/2023 18:39

If I'm busy I'm more productive at home as there are less distractions. But if I'm not busy it's easier to slack off at home.

PeloMom · 12/09/2023 18:37

We employ few people who all worked from home until last month and let’s just say productivity was rather questionable. They all have to go in office at least 3 times a week now and things are started to improve. I believe when people say they’re more productive is that they have more time in the day as no commute etc but that doesn’t always translate to work productivity

21ZIGGY · 12/09/2023 18:37

Its not about productivity its about trust. Presenteeism is pointless. If you dont trust your staff, why are they working for you in the first place.

TimeForTeaAndG · 12/09/2023 18:36

When my department worked from home we hit targets more consistently than we ever had in the office where we were also expected to field admin calls and had pointless meetings that could have easily been emails.

Sometimes at home it's easier to work smarter and more efficiently.

PermanentTemporary · 12/09/2023 18:35

In my view managers tend quite unconsciously to use measures of productivity such as 'the number of times I see X physically present'. Obviously this measure goes down when wfh.

Spendonsend · 12/09/2023 18:35

I think some people are efficient and contientious wherever they work and others are a bit lazy and crap wherever they are.

But i reckon its easier to manage crap people you can see.

Oysterbabe · 12/09/2023 18:35

I probably used to say that. It definitely wasn't true. I'm 75% in the office now and get a lot more done.
I was probably pretty productive for a while but became really lazy over the years.

Colourfulponderings · 12/09/2023 18:33

Or it could be that looking active in an office isn’t actually as productive as it looks.

Busy doesn’t necessarily equal productive.

fairyfluf · 12/09/2023 18:33

My productivity is very easily measured and I have been told I am more productive at home.

What is harder is training other people and asking questions.