My manager is making me come in the office 4days a week

I agree. I know that it means that those of use who get more done at home get the short straw, but employers can't really have one rule for most and another rules for others. It just creates bad feeling in the workplace

Considering the government want those with disabilities to get back to work then WFH needs to be very much an equal choice so we really aren’t past that phase !

Feeling sorry for employers 😅

They can't take the piss out of their workers to same extent. Every single person has the right to request flexible working. In many cases it's the same kind of flexible working the poor employers have enjoyed the entire time.

If they want her there they need to provide a suitable space. Do you think she should bring her own computer if the employer is too disorganised to provide one? What about build the office herself if it’s not finished? It’s the employer’s responsibility, not the employee’s.

She works for them, not the other way round.

Many employers also want to work from home. Why do you feel sorry for employers just because their staff prefer to do their work from home.

Oh look it' the typical pile on on here where no-one reads what the op says and just projects their anger.

I had this, no DSE and in a fucking room on my own all day. Made me realise you should not be too loyal to workplaces these days.

No it's usually people who are sick of hearing kids crying, dogs barking or washing machines spinning on the phone while trying to sort out their insurance etc. Or staff not answering the phones.
It doesn't work for the customers.

To be honest I just feel sorry for employers these days. Everyone looking for an excuse to not come into work. They need you in so sort your office space out and go to work.

Encouraging or mandating a return to the office isn't necessarily about presenteeism though. Until very recently I worked for a large organisation who has an almost Extreme flexible policy. It worked well initially in that they could recruit the cream who wouldn't necessarily relocate, retention of staff with family commitments possibly improved. But as a business the last 3 years ish has shown a huge issue with retention of new younger staff who working remotely get nothing from work except a salary. HQ is largely dead except for one day a week even if you do go in, most of the active staff clubs have died a death. The excellent graduate recruitment scheme which usually held onto most as they whizzed up the ranks now struggles to retain most of them after a year or 2 of the scheme ending. The business benefits of bringing staff back in may not be understood or immediately visible by an individual. I think hybrid is a good compromise. Visibility is important if someone wants to get on.

Apples and oranges.

You're talking about working conditions involved doing part of their job. Going into people's homes, dangerous situations. Not their offices.

Public sector workers are heavily unionised which is a good thing and complaints about working conditions in offices are frequently made and responded to.

Health and safety and manual handling policies are also in place.

Depends what your contractual arrangement is. If not in breach you may choose to refuse but face a disciplinary.

Personally if I was asked to go into the office more frequently I would look for a new job.

The devil is in the detail here.

What is the role? Would it improve staff morale were you in the office more?

As for the room, I would ask for someone to give me the time and help and set it up nicely for myself.

I think ‘mental health’ is a weak card to play here. If you are doing a solitary role, you can’t demand company. Also, presumably, the reason they want you in the office is to interact with people at least some of the time? Otherwise, why would they ask you to be there?

With work, leaving is always an option. If you need the job more than they need you, they have the upper hand. Even if they aren’t going strictly by the book, severance pay is rarely as high as people expect.

Nurses, doctors, paramedics, police, firefighters

All entitled to request flexible working.

OP, check your privilege. Nurses, doctors, paramedics, police, firefighters - all these and many more have to go into many ‘workplaces’ in less than ideal conditions. And so many do exceptional service (hats off to all of you!).

For heaven's sake @PlumRaspberryJam we all know that some jobs can't be done at home, and are carried out in challenging environments. But this isn't the case for the OP

I agree with you. I WFH 3 days a week and although I am on my own, I have my home comforts. The office alone is different - but all the office people won’t understand and just think because we WFH we should be in the office… even though times have changed. I couldn’t work full time if I didn’t have the WFH option 3 days a week as my office is an hour away and I have 2 kids to pick up from school, both parents have died so no support… and I love working full time which WFH enables me to do

Says who?

Some of us have offices in the city that we can't even do our job in - yet they insist we attend - there is no benefit to the business, nor to me just to show face.

Yes, but surely only with the line managers permission? I wouldn’t dream of popping out to do the school run during working hours without my manager knowing and Oking it. And I’m fairly senior, would always make up time etc. but it’s work time!

I have the option to wfh and choose not to.
Because I can see that whilst it might be great for the individual it is not great for the business in many respects.

I think it's a huge worry that OP works for a company where she apparently has no interactions with any of her colleagues - how does anyone know what she does? How is it covered while she is on holiday or sick? How does she share her knowledge and experience with other colleagues? How do they share their experience with her? There are very few roles where it is not at all beneficial to have at least half an idea what is going on beyond your own personal bubble.
What's it like for new colleagues? Or inexperienced ones? or ones that fancy being promoted?

Yes, all these things can be managed while wfh, but it takes more time and effort to set this up. It takes longer for me to arrange a Teams call with a colleague and for us to screen share, than just to walk over to their desk and ask them to show me something. If I don't want to interact with my colleagues (even if it's necessary for them to do their job) then I can largely ignore them if I wfh.

'@WitchesofPainswick · Today 10:22

Gosh, those of you objecting to dusting and setting up your own workspace have clearly never worked in the charity sector...'

I have worked in the charity sector for over 20 years and I have never been asked to set up my own workspace.

Charities like any employers are required to follow employment law and make sure people have correct DSE in place and work in safe and appropriate office environments.

You mean prove that the reason most offices are stopping people doing WFM is true - people slack off!

Obvs meant to say my DH’s company!!! He doesn’t have a husband on the side to my knowledge… 🤣

OP, check your privilege. Nurses, doctors, paramedics, police, firefighters - all these and many more have to go into many ‘workplaces’ in less than ideal conditions. And so many do exceptional service (hats off to all of you!).

You don’t have a desk set up? Sort it out! Imagine one of the essential services such as a paramedic decided to wait for their bosses to set up perfect working conditions.

As usual I am surprised by how many people are so negative about WFH and as usual I assume it is people who resent not having the opportunity to WFH themselves or crap managers who want everyone on site for an ego boost...

Definitely!!!