Work life balance - does work from home help?

[Newjobthoughts]

Need to work full-time as salary dependant. Potentially can work from home with. Changes coming with role.

What is best way to achieve balance
Commute 1.5 hours door to door, have two children, reliable childcare.

How many days WFH would make a difference? Keen to hear success stories

Yes, because you can do school drops offs and activities and then flexi work around that, it's also usually the case that school is closer to home so no less travelling in the morning means an quicker start to the day.

No, because the fact that you work from home can make it hard to have a cut off, especially if you do flex your day to attend an assembly, or appointment then make it up in the evening.

It's a balancing act, you need to set your guidelines, make sure they are communicated, stay in contact with your teams and colleagues. Overall though I find home working much better for working around primary school than office based irk.

Thanks

Would you think one two or three days? NB keen to be present in office at least twice a week

Yes it's been life changing for me.
I had a 45 minute commute each way so now spend that 90 minutes doing my housework, shopping and keeping on top of things at home, frees up time at the weekend.
I spend less on petrol so saving a few quid.
I find working from home much more relaxing, less distractions even when DC is home with DH.
I miss interacting with colleagues sometimes though, just having a chat & gossip over coffee but for the moment it works really well for me

I do two days at home. I’ve done this working five days a week but now compress my hours into four. The other two days I work in two very different locations, one with a significant commute. It’s the best of both worlds. I focus meetings that need to be in person on days in the office and paperwork and conference calls at home

Depends on how much interaction with colleagues you need, I'd suggest 2 to start keeping option open for 3 days if it's working well.

Can't bear wfh. I procrastinate horribly and fuck about with the washing machine, biscuits or the Hoover rather than Just Working.
I appreciate not every one is a procrastinating twat and manages their time better, but if I never went to the office, I would be 30 stone and sacked.

We both WFH one day pw (different days!). Prior to this job I was self employed so the difference was negligible for me. DH has found the change a but tricky as he's always done the 9 to 5 office thing.
Pros are as per pps. Cons are you have to be quite disciplined, and if it's a new thing in your workplace some people do assume WFH=paid to skive off.

Ha I do procrastinate on a daily basis but find I get so much more done at home.

Have had mental health issues for past few years, so thinking would be good for me from that perspective too? As in less commute =more me time

I do 5 days condensed in 4.5 and WFH on two. Helps with a 7.30am start on days in the office. I get to finish early and get stuff done at home without the commute. I do work longer when necessary but gets the balance right.

I only like 1 day WFH, if i do 2 i feel i miss too much of what goes on in the office

I love WFH. I get loads of admin done, and little things like being able to hang the washing out first thing rather than doing my commute make a big difference.

Yes it’s so much less stressful not having the commute etc.
Do the max possible.
Can do things like have food delivery, washing etc. Saving time at weekends.

I do 3 days from home currently, as I find I do need the separation and time with my colleagues.

I tend to do more hours at home, but manage to keep on top of the food shop & laundry a lot more. A cleaner comes once a week to blitz, but I use my lunch break to stay on top of things.

It allows us to have a much more relaxing weekend, and for me to have a lot more sleep in the week! Being less exhausted means I’m more fun to be around generally.

I used to work in London and had a commute of 1.5 hours each way. I couldn't do the pick ups and drop offs for nursery at all. DP had to do them, after dropping me off at the train station.

I now WFH from home cos the company I work for does not have offices. It has really changed our lives! My mental health has improved so much. I can do housework on my lunch break, I have time to do yoga, if DP is delayed by traffic I can pick up DS (they charge £1 PER MINUTE for being late). DP can do evening activities now (he recently started tai chi). Can get packages delivered at any time now lol. I finally bought the coffee machine I've wanted for years but would never use enough. I use it nearly every day now. I've only been ill once since I started the job nearly 6 months ago and didn't have to take time off, it was not as severe as when I previously commuted, cos I swear commuting makes it work!

I'm sure there's more that's improved our lives but I can't remember much more right now lol

I find it helps my stress levels, i am logged on about 2 hours longer than when in the office but i don't mind as i take more breaks, go wander round the garden or something. I work 5 days and try to do at least 1 wfh day, 2 if i can but i do try to be in when my boss is, even though she doesn't mind me being at home.

*worse not work

I wfh 1-2 days a week depending on what's going on work wise. I like going to the office but I like getting the washing dried on the line

It really depends on your work situation.

Two days a week working from home works best for me. I like to keep in touch with colleagues but as we all work from home sometimes I find I need at least three days a week in work to keep up with people

I manage a large team who all work from home. It’s brilliant for most and we build huge amounts of flexibility into the role - optional 9 day fortnights, flexible hours etc. There is an expectation of some days away from home including overnights but they’re arranged well ahead.
Some people never really settle to the more isolated working environment and the dependence on IT to communicate.

Advantages are obviously no travel time and no travel expenses. Being closer to childcare makes it easier to juggle and flexibility helps if a child’s unwell.

What it doesn’t mean is havyour child at home and being responsible whilst you are working.You still need good childcare sorted.

I've wfh for years. I find it isolating and spend too much time inside my head (not relevant to your situation!).

I get out regularly though, to do the school run, and work in some extra exercise a few times a week. It's also great for school assemblies / performances and getting some house work or admin done.

I also work a little in the evenings though, which the kids don't like.

I have a 1 hour commute into London, I wfh 1 day a week (and occasionally a 2nd day if I want to).

I enjoy the chat and social aspect of being in the office, and being 'visible' is important in my role, but a day per week of peace and quiet at home is wonderful too!

DH took a home based role and pretty quickly felt quite isolated so now he makes the effort to arrange meetings at least 2 or 3 days a week to get out of the house.

I would love two days a week, would make a huge difference. Does this work at all levels?

I think as long as you are flexible and they need you in on specific days, it works well.

It can work well at all levels but if you have weekly team meetings or management meetings, I would make an effort to be in on those days. See everyone at once....

Yes. One day a week greatly improves my life. Things like being home to get deliveries, hanging out washing and even a nicer lunch or having something cooking all save time and reduce stress. As I don't sleep well lately because of big M and arthritis pain, it also allows a little more sleep. My biggest problem is remembering to get up from laptop and move about as there aren't the distractions I get in the office.