Page 19 | To wonder how we ever did 5 days a week in an office?

OptimismvsRealism · 2024-06-07T18:04:13+00:00

I work hard and love my job (legal). Spent a day in the office today for the first time in months and honestly feel sick. The people flu! I couldn't go back. All those blokes in the City saying WFH was an "aberration" are deluded. I get that some people love it and there's enough diversity in this world for everyone to find their niche but Oh My God am I glad I don't have to do the daily traipse any more.

Tarantella6 · 07/06/2024 19:29

I hate WFH. I could if I wanted to, and I occasionally do if I need to wait for a delivery or similar but I don't think it's a good thing for people to do all the time. Work should stay at work. My house is not a workplace, it is a home.

Sahara123 · 07/06/2024 19:28

Office Manager in a school. Impossible to work from home if you want your children and the staff supported properly. And yes I work in the holidays before anyone says ! I’m in quite a rural area, job opportunities are scarce.

ASighMadeOfStone · 07/06/2024 19:27

OptimismvsRealism · 07/06/2024 19:23

You don't work in communist Russia. You could choose to do another job! Isn't it great that people who get energy from being in a physical workplace can do it and people who prefer to be at home can do that too?

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Well spotted.
I was a fairly highly paid civil servant and took a large pay cut to go into teaching.

You have some interesting ideas on other threads as well, I see.

All similarly goady.

Original poster

OptimismvsRealism · 07/06/2024 19:27

LetTheCardsFallWhereTheyMay · 07/06/2024 19:25

Still missing it: what if I told you I'm a judge, or a janitor or a surgeon or a zoo-keeper or a forklift operator? Some people's professional roles or the thing they are specifically trained for do not exist as WFH roles.

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Yes but you chose your life and are choosing it now. If I hated WFH I'd get another job because there are loads. Horses for courses.

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Topofthemountain · 07/06/2024 19:27

Knee replacement surgery coming to your next door neighbour's kitchen table very soon

LetTheCardsFallWhereTheyMay · 07/06/2024 19:25

OptimismvsRealism · 07/06/2024 19:20

Switch jobs!!! There are loads of options out there. I will never go back.

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Still missing it: what if I told you I'm a judge, or a janitor or a surgeon or a zoo-keeper or a forklift operator? Some people's professional roles or the thing they are specifically trained for do not exist as WFH roles.

Original poster

OptimismvsRealism · 07/06/2024 19:25

Or Boots! The idea of a Boots sandwich seems so horrendous and old fashioned now. Like smoking in hospital wards.

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Original poster

OptimismvsRealism · 07/06/2024 19:24

ASighMadeOfStone · 07/06/2024 19:23

She's probably one of the same people who complain about the death of the high street as well.
Like there's no correlation.

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My high street is now thriving because so many people who live where I live WFH and can pop out on their lunch break instead of trudging to bloody Pret.

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Original poster

OptimismvsRealism · 07/06/2024 19:23

ASighMadeOfStone · 07/06/2024 19:22

I'll tell my HT I'm coming to school on Zoom from next week.
Is that OK for your kids?

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You don't work in communist Russia. You could choose to do another job! Isn't it great that people who get energy from being in a physical workplace can do it and people who prefer to be at home can do that too?

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ASighMadeOfStone · 07/06/2024 19:23

CatWontBudge · 07/06/2024 19:22

The OP's username appears very apt - there is very little grasp of reality being demonstrated in their posts. Telling people they have a choice to wfh and should assert it, lol.

Yep great idea Batman, let's hope all doctors, nurses, supermarket staff, farmers, lorry drivers, cleaners and millions of others all assert their right to work from home and see how well it goes.

She's probably one of the same people who complain about the death of the high street as well.
Like there's no correlation.

ASighMadeOfStone · 07/06/2024 19:22

OptimismvsRealism · 07/06/2024 19:20

Switch jobs!!! There are loads of options out there. I will never go back.

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I'll tell my HT I'm coming to school on Zoom from next week.
Is that OK for your kids?

CatWontBudge · 07/06/2024 19:22

The OP's username appears very apt - there is very little grasp of reality being demonstrated in their posts. Telling people they have a choice to wfh and should assert it, lol.

Yep great idea Batman, let's hope all doctors, nurses, supermarket staff, farmers, lorry drivers, cleaners and millions of others all assert their right to work from home and see how well it goes.

ASighMadeOfStone · 07/06/2024 19:21

OptimismvsRealism · 07/06/2024 19:09

Well if it works for you then great! I quite literally couldn't.

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You might want to check your privilege then.

Changingplace · 07/06/2024 19:21

Plantymcplantface · 07/06/2024 19:13

about 40% of UK employees actually: medics, carers, service personnel, caterers, transport, manufacturing….

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Many of those roles aren’t ‘office’ based, if someone specifically wants to work in a role that has the potential to offer wfh it exists, nobody is forced to train for/apply for/remain in any role they don’t want to.

Original poster

OptimismvsRealism · 07/06/2024 19:21

I also think the more people vote with their feet the quicker employers will understand they need to offer this wherever reasonably possible

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Soonenough · 07/06/2024 19:20

If going to work involved a long commute, WFH can only be a great thing. No benefit at all to long difficult journeys . Makes it far more appealing to working parents , enabling them to be more available for their kids.

Original poster

OptimismvsRealism · 07/06/2024 19:20

LetTheCardsFallWhereTheyMay · 07/06/2024 19:19

You're missing the point; some people's jobs require attendance in a fixed place of work.
Mine does and I'm so envious of people who are able to WFH!

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Switch jobs!!! There are loads of options out there. I will never go back.

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LetTheCardsFallWhereTheyMay · 07/06/2024 19:19

OptimismvsRealism · 07/06/2024 19:09

Well if it works for you then great! I quite literally couldn't.

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You're missing the point; some people's jobs require attendance in a fixed place of work.
Mine does and I'm so envious of people who are able to WFH!

Changingplace · 07/06/2024 19:18

Thevelvelletes · 07/06/2024 19:07

And how many calls/emails go unanswered because of WFH policy particularly in public facilities such as HMRC, DVLA etc.

Why? I still do my job 100% working from home, why would the people whose job it is to reply to these messages specifically not because they’re not sat in an office?

Original poster

OptimismvsRealism · 07/06/2024 19:17

Pontipinecity · 07/06/2024 19:16

Wow. Some of us have no choice. It’s draining and full on but better than not having an income. Lucky you that you can earn a decent living working from home.

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You do have a choice! Assert it. Your employer doesn't own you.

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Original poster

OptimismvsRealism · 07/06/2024 19:17

Sahara123 · 07/06/2024 19:13

It doesn’t but I don’t have the option!

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Highly recommend you move if you can. Employers who are flexible abound!

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Pontipinecity · 07/06/2024 19:16

OptimismvsRealism · 07/06/2024 19:09

Well if it works for you then great! I quite literally couldn't.

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Wow. Some of us have no choice. It’s draining and full on but better than not having an income. Lucky you that you can earn a decent living working from home.

Original poster

OptimismvsRealism · 07/06/2024 19:15

Icannoteven · 07/06/2024 19:12

OMG. I’ve just realised what has caused the massive reduction in my migraines the last few years! Its definitely since I’ve been WFH the majority of the time. I don’t know if it’s because I’m less tired, because I have more control over the lighting and noise of my environment at home or that I eat better/excercise better when I WFH but there has been about an 80 percent improvement of frequency AND intensity since I’ve been away from the office.

100% - I find this too

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Original poster

OptimismvsRealism · 07/06/2024 19:15

thistimelastweek · 07/06/2024 19:11

I suspect you quite literally could if it were the only way you could keep a roof over your head.

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No, I couldn't. I'm really lucky that the choice has come about now.

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Orangello · 07/06/2024 19:14

the flexibility is the thing for me. I can pick up the kids, drop them to their clubs, finish work from home. No wraparound needed, it's brilliant.