Page 5 | To think perhaps WFH might need encouraged again for a while

MrsMillhouse · 2026-03-29T20:29:59+00:00

The news refers to petrol shortages. Not sure if it’s just headlines or clickbait. But if there are going to be shortages, surely the government should be starting to encourage WFH and using public transport where possible

MissingSockDetective · 30/03/2026 13:51

whirlyhead · 30/03/2026 13:48

My father used to take me to school on the back of a tandem (about 6 miles each way I think). That's always an option. My mother didn't drive so she had a 4 wheel cart that fastened onto her bicycle that she transported us around in as kids.

Needs must!!

For a very short journey maybe, not for 30 miles!

whirlyhead · 30/03/2026 13:48

My father used to take me to school on the back of a tandem (about 6 miles each way I think). That's always an option. My mother didn't drive so she had a 4 wheel cart that fastened onto her bicycle that she transported us around in as kids.

Needs must!!

MissingSockDetective · 30/03/2026 13:47

Isobel201 · 30/03/2026 13:19

I only fill up once a month as it is with my hybrid, the cost isn't going to put me off going less than I need to. Fortunately already wfh, but I wouldn't expect an employer to use a lack of petrol as an excuse to allow wfh.

Why not? If you can't get fuel how are you supposed to get there? It seems a very sensible time to say they will allow wfh.

gamerchick · 30/03/2026 13:30

Labelledelune · 30/03/2026 12:58

In the meantime we just buy really expensive oil from other countries. Makes no sense.

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It makes no sense because you don't have the knowledge or are not asking the questions. Is the oil suitable, can we refine it, is all oil created equal, how much is left, who does it belong to. How long would it take etc...?

But most people I've seen of late, especially on SM are 'we have oil - drill oil, What's the problem ?! with a loading swirl above their heads.

There are reasons for everything.

Isobel201 · 30/03/2026 13:19

I only fill up once a month as it is with my hybrid, the cost isn't going to put me off going less than I need to. Fortunately already wfh, but I wouldn't expect an employer to use a lack of petrol as an excuse to allow wfh.

ClassicalQueen · 30/03/2026 13:01

If I didn’t have children to get to school I would consider walking, but it’s not safe to walk my children down the rural country roads. Public transport is an option for people in towns and cities, but there isn’t one near me to get me to the children’s school and then to work.

Labelledelune · 30/03/2026 12:58

Ionlymakejokestodistractmyself · 29/03/2026 21:49

😂 yeah quick, get the oil! Not like it would take minimum 5-10 years to get close to it... And it's not the right decision anyway. Maybe this is the wake up call we need to use less.

Luckily I already walk (or in terrible weather get the bus) to work. DCs walk or cycle. DH WFH twice a week too and can also get public transport. We aren't heavily impacted day to day, but visiting family who are 200 and 90 miles away respectively will become very expensive.

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In the meantime we just buy really expensive oil from other countries. Makes no sense.

MissingSockDetective · 30/03/2026 12:55

MrsMillhouse · 30/03/2026 12:47

Going for the messages means grocery shopping in Scotland

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It's actually a rather sweet phrase, I just hadn't heard it before.

Original poster

MrsMillhouse · 30/03/2026 12:48

RosieHosie · 30/03/2026 11:44

*because

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Pretty much

OP posts:

Original poster

MrsMillhouse · 30/03/2026 12:47

MissingSockDetective · 30/03/2026 11:23

Do you think it means letters, or parcels maybe? But then, I never take my car to get those, they're generally delivered.

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Going for the messages means grocery shopping in Scotland

OP posts:

PopcornPoppingInAPan · 30/03/2026 12:05

Mightneedencouraged · 30/03/2026 10:19

I mean, some people do their shopping, send personal emails or even run their own businesses from their employer's desk in the office. So what? If the employer doesn't like these measurable things they can stop them. It doesn't mean the mode of working is the problem.

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I was responding to the poster claiming that no-one looks after children while WFH because they’re all in school and/or you’d have to be mad to attempt this. Which really isn’t true.

RosieHosie · 30/03/2026 12:01

gamerchick · 30/03/2026 11:50

Have you never heard someone say 'im just running/going a message'?

It's very old but it's a thing.

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No, never. Running an errand, yes.

StripyHorse · 30/03/2026 11:59

ShakyBake · 29/03/2026 21:37

How about using some of that oil in the north sea?

The oil in the North Sea that even Badenoch agrees won't make much of a difference and won't bring prices down?

It isn't going to be quick enough to solve this crisis. A transition away from fossil fuels would be more cost effective and more stable in time of world crisis. Better electric vehicle infrastructure (including public transport) and an increase in wind and solar power would be more effective.

MissingSockDetective · 30/03/2026 11:51

gamerchick · 30/03/2026 11:40

Messages is an old word for shopping. Haven't heard it since I was a kid.

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I've never heard of the saying, but thank you as that makes far more sense now. Although my shopping is all delivered, so I don't do any driving to get it!

gamerchick · 30/03/2026 11:50

RosieHosie · 30/03/2026 11:44

Is it a Scottish thing? Think OP playing on her scottishness be caused of being pulled up about 'need encouraged'

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Have you never heard someone say 'im just running/going a message'?

It's very old but it's a thing.

SerendipityJane · 30/03/2026 11:45

WFH would help eke out the existing fuel stock for longer.

You'd think.

RosieHosie · 30/03/2026 11:44

Is it a Scottish thing? Think OP playing on her scottishness be caused of being pulled up about 'need encouraged'

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*because

RosieHosie · 30/03/2026 11:44

gamerchick · 30/03/2026 11:40

Messages is an old word for shopping. Haven't heard it since I was a kid.

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Is it a Scottish thing? Think OP playing on her scottishness be caused of being pulled up about 'need encouraged'

LakieLady · 30/03/2026 11:43

Branster · 30/03/2026 11:14

Unless you can’t buy enough fuel either because of fuel shortages or it becoming prohibitively expensive.
I can’t imagine there would be an actual ban on driving, so everyone should be able to carry on as they are until they can’t get the fuel from petrol stations.

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But the current stocks of fuel will last longer if people reduce their usage by not using cars for non-essential journeys where that's possible.

WFH would help eke out the existing fuel stock for longer.

gamerchick · 30/03/2026 11:42

SurreySenMum26 · 30/03/2026 11:33

As far as I can remember, it wasn't.

Was it restricted to only key workers buying fuel so they had to show I'd? I don't really remember but I was working at a college I a lab so no chance of WFH. Luckily it was just a few weeks and my petrol lasted or I just wouldn't have got to work.

The thing is there no tech to stop you putting in £30, then driving back in.

Even if they said only for those with key worker status, you wouldn't show your NHS I'd until you pay. So what if you put in £30 but not a key worker? They can't thrn refuse or revoke the sale.

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Well if things carry on the way they are.. we might find out.

There was words of the problems going into June on Al-Jazeera this morning. Might be a bit of a bumpy ride at some point.

Or not if none of us can use our cars.

gamerchick · 30/03/2026 11:40

MagpiePi · 30/03/2026 11:06

I’m still confused about why we should get messages delivered by supermarkets. I didn’t even know there was the option of going to the supermarket to pick them up.

Mine get delivered straight to my phone or via a post it note on the fridge. Am I terribly out of the loop somehow?

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Messages is an old word for shopping. Haven't heard it since I was a kid.

SurreySenMum26 · 30/03/2026 11:33

gamerchick · 30/03/2026 07:36

I don't know. How was it done the last time?

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As far as I can remember, it wasn't.

Was it restricted to only key workers buying fuel so they had to show I'd? I don't really remember but I was working at a college I a lab so no chance of WFH. Luckily it was just a few weeks and my petrol lasted or I just wouldn't have got to work.

The thing is there no tech to stop you putting in £30, then driving back in.

Even if they said only for those with key worker status, you wouldn't show your NHS I'd until you pay. So what if you put in £30 but not a key worker? They can't thrn refuse or revoke the sale.

MissingSockDetective · 30/03/2026 11:23

Do you think it means letters, or parcels maybe? But then, I never take my car to get those, they're generally delivered.

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Or medication?

MissingSockDetective · 30/03/2026 11:23

RosieHosie · 30/03/2026 11:17

I'm totally confused too

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Do you think it means letters, or parcels maybe? But then, I never take my car to get those, they're generally delivered.

RosieHosie · 30/03/2026 11:17

MagpiePi · 30/03/2026 11:06

I’m still confused about why we should get messages delivered by supermarkets. I didn’t even know there was the option of going to the supermarket to pick them up.

Mine get delivered straight to my phone or via a post it note on the fridge. Am I terribly out of the loop somehow?

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I'm totally confused too