Question about WFH set up if new to it

[SunshineAvenue]

If you have never previously WFH but are now doing so how did your company facilitate this?

Did you have to use your own laptop/computer or were you given a company laptop?

Did your IT dept communicate well with you about what was required if you at your end in terms of downloading software. Was the transition easy, did you have all the passwords that you needed?

Were you given any training on how to use the app/platform for conference calls?

What could have been done better in your opinion?

This is really only for people who had to sort this all out for the first time in a short space of time) rather than those who currently were set up to WFH.

TIA

If you say what your issue with working from home is then maybe people can help?

Sounds like you may be trying to collect information from people for a purpose that you dont specify?

Why do you want to know?

Survey? Journo?

I already had a laptop, but had time to arrange to borrow a monitor from IT. I took the docking station, keyboard and mouse from my desk - it's much better than working on just a laptop. We have some sort of VOIP phone system, but it was installed on my laptop just before I left the office and I haven't used it or been called on it - I have a work mobile with my desk phone forwarded to it. Since I've been working at home MS Teams has been installed remotely by IT. We've used it for messaging and a couple of video calls. Work had brought in Zoom in readiness so we can use that too. My work set up is great, the WiFi at home less so. DP is going to try to improve it for me. We have separate wfh spaces and mine is in the attic of an old house so we already have WiFi repeater things, but the signal does drop out which is frustrating and has wasted my time when I've lots to do.

I used to work as an office manager before having DC and have effectively been a SAHM for 10 years bar the odd bit of part time work here and there in unrelated fields.

I'd like to return to work 'properly' and was getting my CV ready and then this all happened. When this is all over and if I manage to even get an interview I would think that scenario questions might come up based around what would I do to ensure smooth transition (obviously whilst working in conjunction with IT). I've got some ideas of course but having been out of the loop for a long time I wanted to see what people's currant experience has been and thoughts on making improvements from their perspective.

Just interested and hoping to arm myself with knowledge.

Not a journal at all.

Currant! Or raisin experience 😂

Thanks @wowfudge that's helpful. I suppose the assumption is that most people have WiFi at home these days but as you say it's not always great. Ours can be laggy in certain rooms.

I would think that scenario questions might come up based around what would I do to ensure smooth transition (obviously whilst working in conjunction with IT).

Sorry but that sounds like tosh.

Already had a laptop as I already worked from home on a Friday.. however I just did it from the couch. Since WFH is now permanent for the foreseeable, Ive had to do the following:

Repurpose a desk DH used for his hobby
Buy a desk chair
Buy a monitor - work contributed £100 to this for everyone, claiming back via expenses
Internet I already had but work are paying £6 per week in our salaries as per government guidelines
I've done other small things - desk lamp, whiteboard paper that sticks to the wall (brought this home from work)
Use Microsoft Teams for video conferencing
Slack for IM
(The last 2 we already used heavily anyway)

thanks for your input @bigyellowduck

Thanks @breakingbetter

Interestingly ergonomics was a big thing at my last company. Obviously things like this are really difficult to implement at home.

Luckily for me we have a spare bedroom I redecorated and refurbished last year which has a desk and decent office chair in it. DP frequently worked from home a couple of days a week anyway and has his own desk and chair. I do think a lot of employers assume people have WiFi etc at home. We've had the heating on a few times when it would normally be off during the day. But, we both have jobs for now.

thanks for your input @bigyellowduck**

I have been quoted by daily mail scum many times.

This type pf post is almost always phishing by someone who thinks they are are journalist.

We did a full BCP last year so had relatively recently thought about what we would need to do if we couldn't get into the office. We are sometimes weather affected in winter anyway.

No worries @bigyellowduck I get it. I've been on here long enough to know that it goes on. Didn't occur to me that a thread about being issued with passwords from IT/having office Tel numbers forwarded to mobiles would be a juicy story for the DM though, it's hardly penis beaker!

Still, it wouldn't be Mumsnet without some side eyeing. And hurrah for the freedom to post whatever the hell you like. Good for you!