AIBU To Think Remote Work Isn't Sustainable?

Well if you don’t want a hybrid job, go and find an office job - there are loads out there.

I don't have a choice now. I was made redundant and the job I found (it's difficult to find PT work as a solicitor) is entirely remote. For the previous 8 years my office was a 10 minute bike ride away.

WFH is really helpful for work life balance but I get that the lack of social interaction can be a problem. I'd feel lonely if DH didn't WFH even though I'm naturally an introvert.

Hybrid working has allowed millions of women to stay in work when they otherwise would have had to quit to prop up their husbands' careers. It allows disabled people to access a far more varied type of work and stay in work.

Unfortunately for Nige, his mates who put loads of money in to commercial properties have taken a hit, and we must now rally round, stop everything and get back to the office so they don't get any more upset.

Speaking for me myself and I personally .... I think its a good thing to be in the office. Its not just the social factor, as many people have wide circles of friends and family. Its the factor of getting to know, like and tolerate all kinds of different people that you maybe wouldnt meet in your regular circle. Its good and healthy and helps keep society integrated. Im very lucky that we have a hybrid work policy and have to be in the office three days out of five, so it feels like the best of both worlds. But I wouldnt like to work from home fulltime, I look forward to getting dressed up and the commute and seeing everyone.

Blimey OP, you posted asking if remote work is unsustainable as a sweeping statement, then have a go that posters aren't seeing the nuance of your post?

@FrozenFebruary is right, it may not be sustainable for you. And that's ok, it's your choice. Perfectly reasonable to move on to a different role.

Personally I love working at home. It always amuses me when people want to be back in an office environment and argue that everyone should be in one because it's better. Many of us put up with working in an office for years even though it didn't suit us, why would you demand a one size fits all approach again?

I think hybrid is best. But for days in the office to work you have to bring teams in together.

Unfortunately where I work we had too many people unperforming at home. Communication with the team they work for (who are all on site) wasn’t great and office supplies not maintained). So now everyone is expected to come in 3 days. This has led to a third of them - 15 people- now on formal management for sickness or performance. It makes you wonder what people were doing with their time at home. Most of the ones not coping with the change are young people.

A balance is important. I think some social contact at work is helpful for younger people at the start of their careers in particular because it’s so much harder to learn the soft skills people need remotely.

But there’s no way we are going back to full time office based for all. Home office is so much more in line with family life and no one is going to give that up without a fight.

I need to work all the hours God sent; wedging a pointless commute into my day would shave two hours from my daily productivity just so I can be seen to have my bum on a seat? No thanks.

Its sustainable for lots and lots of others though, including me, it enables me to work more hours around a disabled child.

I would hate to work from home and so would the majority of my colleagues. Different people suit different things.

Well those people 999/Service jobs are free to leave and do something else, arent they?

As for the country ceasing to exist - that landmark was passed long ago. The state of the UKs roads tells you what a complete and utter fucking shithole it has become.

I had to wfh for 8 weeks and hated it. I felt completely detached from work even though I was online talking to people. I really dislike mixing work and home and I also really enjoy the company of work colleagues. I know it is great for some people though.

I do think if you can do your job entirely remotely from a computer then chances are AI will be doing your job instead of you in about 10 years time.

Not really a choice for many. If you want any health services, your child to be educated, to be able to dial 999 for an ambulance/ police/ fire services, then you really should be grateful that those people go out to work. But times are changing and what happens when the majority want a slice of the easier life working from home? The country will cease to exist.

You hate it, many don’t. Before Covid some people were working like this anyway- it’s not a new thing. New for the masses perhaps.
We’ve had people go to their GP and they have evidence to say due to their mental health they must be office based, perhaps speak to your employer and ask to go in more often. Or look for a new job that isn’t remote- there are plenty, because most people don’t want them!

When Farage gets in many of us will be dragged back to the office - silver linings for you OP.

So its unsustainable because you didnt get a F2F happy birthday and in-person coffee?

Meh.

Whats unsustainable for you, is for many others,

I am fully WFH - couldnt give a hoot about traipsing to an office to meet people that I can connect with remotely - especially those that arent even in my region.

Happily never work from an office ever again. Reset your expectations.

Nige, is that you?

I know what you mean about occasional loneliness. But then when I do go into the office and people are there, it’s nice for a bit then they start doing my head in. Slurping tea, yawning, eating smelly food. Stops me concentrating. Hybrid is perfect and absolutely sustainable for most. If you don’t like it then the solution is simple, get a job where you’re unavoidably with people the whole time. I heard there are shortages in teaching, nursing and policing for a start. Or go and work in a shop. Cleaning trains? Hairdresser? Or maybe given those options, your terrible situation isn’t all that terrible after all?

Why are you only sending emails and messages on Teams? Surely you have Teams meetings and follow that up with emails and messages?

I love it.

L'enfer, c'est les autres.

Sounds like it isn't sustainable for you if you're unhappy. Not sure I would go on to then apply that to the entire concept. Plenty of people either do a lot of work calls or don't mind not talking during work.

For many the office politics & drama was not sustainable for their mental health

Also, I think most of us just think we are happier because it’s cosy. It’s not “good” for us.

I actually think it will be really damaging for the younger generations who may already have social development issues from covid and then won’t have a typical office environment to flourish in and build relationships like we did. However, I do think there are enough offices that are back to normal and it works for some people.

my dad has always worked from home and as he lives alone, I watched him become more of a social recluse over the years and it’s really affected him. He almost has no idea how to act correctly after 30 years.

I am the happiest I have ever been since working ( mostly ) remotely .
Wish I had the same opportunities when the dc were young .

Your choice really here isn’t it?

for some of us remote or mainly remote suits many families/home lifes better - and some people can only do the job because it is remote