If employers were mandated to allow employees to WFH unless there was a clear reason to need someone physically in a workplace

But you’re not recognising that what you want isn’t what everyone wants. So you’re also asking people to suck it up to convenience you.

I know I'm a weirdo but I actually prefer being in the office. When I'm in the office, I'm in work mode, I can have face-to-face chats and collaborate without people mysteriously disappearing during the day or dropping out due to constant 'wifi issues'.

I just find it better for worklife balance. My house is for relaxing and chilling out, not for working. I live in a lovely 2 bedroom house I bought before lockdown. I don't want a 'set-up' with 3 screens and chair that looks like it's out of F1 in my house, I want to keep it for relaxing.

I know WFH works best for some people who have roles that are more about putting your head down and getting the work done. But if you have a job that involves managing projects and interacting with a lot stakeholders then it's frustrating.

For jobs where people don't need to be physically they could already do this. My role was made fully remote after COVID and continues to be for UK employees only. Would be cheaper to hire people in India but they don't have the knowledge of laws/culture/processes in the UK so my employer continues to hire people who live in the UK. Same for all the office roles that people go to a physical office to do, but could just as easily do from home.

That said, I do wish I had the option of occasionally going to an office as it does get lonely WFH, and it does mean we all end up working more from home as it's more difficult to switch off.

Just because you did not get on with your colleagues, does not mean that others don’t.

It is possible to have friends in and out of work.

You are looking at life through a depressed and possibly anxious lens. You might want to get some help with that.

Sounds like you chose the wrong career for 20 years, and now as a manager you are dismissing your staff's genuine feelings and experiences because your way is the only way.

You really don't sound like someone who should be managing people.

I cringe when women extol the virtues of working from home. ‘I can just pop on a load of laundry in between calls!’ How many men say this???

I totally agree with this. I honestly think it is a regressive step for women.

It is making women retreat back into the domestic sphere, unquestionably.

Yep. They are a breath of fresh air. The OP is jaded and unhappy. We need people in offices who want to be there.

Someone upthread mentioned a 2 tier society, I see this happening already. Having a job that you physically "go to" seems quite sneered upon now. People working in retail, deliveries, education, emergency services all there to service and facilitate the lives of WFH-ers who are the smart ones with proper jobs.

And bore off with "just find a new job" - when you're a menopausal main earner with a mortgage you don't have the capacity in any sense of the word to slip off and find a new job

I am glad gen z is so stuck on the internet that gen x will be the last of the office insisters.

I wouldn't be so sure about this. Gen Z kids are the most enthusiastic of anyone about being in the office in my work place.

Now it's time for a change.

Because you say so??!

The best part of my job is meeting and working with people. I don't want that to become fully remote. It's nowhere near as much fun.

WFH is pisstake for many. As shown in thread after thread on this very forum.

There should be a workplace bonus for everyone who would find it impossible to WFH!

Excellent! I look forward to that...

This!! Your employer is paying you to be at work, really annoys me that since covid people think it's their employers responsibility to pay them a wage to sit at f***g home.

I WFH. Makes no difference as I have to log on, do my shift and nothing else so there's no piss taking allowed
If I go into the office I don't speak to anyone all day except hi and bye due to the nature of the job so I may as well be at home

I assume most who wfh have got used to no commute, no being around people, time during the day to do house stuff etc so they are very unlikely to want to go back. While I believe there are many who do likely work better from home and are professional, there are also those who take the piss (I know both). I can imagine it becomes boring and it's too easy to get lethargic, being in your home, it all becomes mixed? I've found, always having been in a job that involves human interaction big time, you have no choice but to perform, interact, show your best. Xx

Don’t be silly now. She is bright and motivated and wants to be involved more in projects. She has plenty of friends from school and university but was hoping to hang out with colleagues.

I think you are right that staying home is the right thing for you.

I'd soon teach them why WFH is better🤣

Except it isn't always the case.
It might suit YOU and YOUR role but that doesn't mean that works as a blanket approach.

There are aspects of my role and working life that are significantly more effective and enjoyable in person. I know others feel the same.

Oh fuck off. Now I know your just trolling.

Also during lock down, I lead many staff meetings over zoom and they were just so so much harder and less productive than in person.

In person staff meetings: sitting face-to-face, catching up with colleagues for 5 minutes before the meeting started, getting to know everyone as humans (and I am a TOTAL introvert, but do understand the importance of some social interaction!). Working collaboratively on an objective, running ideas by people you actually know, flowing conversation, laughs.

Zoom staff meeting: meeting leader lecturing to participants, one person piping up all the time to ask questions while the rest are silent, at least one or two with their camera's off ('technical issues' ie. doing something else). Awkward flow in any conversations. Everyone just trying to end the meeting as soon as possible.