No more WFH or flexible working

[Lizzie523]

Been WFH for a year now - about 6 months ago the company MD said we had done brilliantly, was thrilled by how we had risen to the challenge etc. We were then told the future would likely be hybrid working & we all had to complete detailed consultations about our preferences RE this. Personally ive been more productive overall & I feel a mix would work well.

Imagine our shock to now be told we are all to go back to full time at the office 5 days a week. They said they would no longer consider the results of the consultations and wished they hadn't done it - many of us tried to appeal this but were just told 'no'.

I moved during the pandemic which means I am just far enough away that 5 days a week in the office is going to be a hassle (not to mention awful for the environment).

We work with a few people with young kids and it obviously isn't inclusive for disabled people either. Our main competitors have already confirmed their commitment to remote working.

Is everyone else headed back to the office or am I right in thinking most places are being more flexible now?

@castemary I understand, I completely agree. As it happens a close friend works for an emergency services call centre (but it's not her whole job) and it's not pleasant, difficult calls, but much prefers working from home, not yet clear if they'll be allowed to post Covid, their output stats are excellent (better than pre Covid although hard to measure due to number of incidences being less during Covid), but old school management probably won't allow it, with very little justification.

I've just been on a work call where our new offices were mentioned in passing.

There is one factor I don't think has been mentioned on this thread yet and that is: dogs.

I am not going into any office that allows dogs (other than guide/hearing dogs). If my employers decide to allow dogs I am WFH full time.

@looptheloopinahulahoop haha someone tried asking for this for work a couple years ago, but it was quickly squashed by management due to fears of allergies. I quite like the idea of it myself but appreciate it's not appropriate when it would be hard for some, maybe a petting room somewhere in the building for well-being and respite 😂

We’re offering hybrid working. If you don’t want to be ordered back into the office, vote with your feet. There are many employers who are trying to accommodate what works best for both them and for their employees.

Wondering if we work for the same company??

We were wondering how many colleagues have updated their CV’s. I certainly have. Most of our peers are allowing a mix of both wfh and office.

At the end of the day they paying your salary. Your fault if you moved away.

Jeez I’m about to start a new job with hybrid working and I hope they’d don’t do a u-turn!!

Get a new job then, simple.

Im sure the environment will survive 😂😂😂

Maybe find another job where you can work from home, or go self-employed?

I think those businesses that can operate a WFH or flexi model, and offer it - will win in the longer term. People don’t work 9-5 anymore (long before pandemic) we are stuck to our emails etc via smart phones 24/7!
We have been more productive at home, the company I work for couldn’t argue that the numbers speak for themselves. However - I have heard the conversations/rationales for being back in the office full time and it’s 2 fold: rent/lease agreements (or indeed if the company owns this real estate...no one wants it empty!). The second one might get me flamed but it’s what I’ve heard and seen “we need to be in an office Monday to Friday for productivity/creativity/corridor conversation”....in the numerous occasions I have heard this, always said by middle aged men.

Just vote with your feet OP not worth it.

My DD, DIL and DS are all going to work from home for at least 3 days a week from now on, with the support of their employers. I think it is great that they can do this, but am a bit dubious about whether most people are actually as productive at home - I suppose some drop in productivity could be covered by a slightly longer day since they are no longer commuting.
I've got the feeling that some people won't bother with after-school or breakfast clubs, so their working day may be shorter.

I have had the same experience as you. WFH when asked. Offered blended and now back in office without any consultation. Discussed health concerns with Manager about return. Not interested! Used once more!

We have been asked what are choices are - we are classed as 'flexible'. I work in IT so never NEED to be physically in the office. The company had 2 floors and has closed one as they are subletting it and they also have to house the contact centre.

I can't imagine we will be called in anytime soon.

I can understand how you must feel that the goalposts have moved, but as someone who manages a large team... the extremely negative impact of everyone WFH for 15 months has only really become evident I would say since around January of this year. At first it seemed like all was well, the technology worked (and that was the bit we weren't sure of).

But a year on, team engagement is lower than ever, we have more under-performers than ever, new junior staff are struggling to learn their roles. The impact is clear and measurable.

We are going for a hybrid model of half in/half out of the office, but as others have said - your employer has decided. This sounds more brutal than intended but you are lucky to have a job right now. Lots in the travel, events and hospitality industries I'm sure would love a 5 day a week office job right now.

I totally sympathise. We're going back to the office soon, and in our case the office is in a new location, worse for me. It's going to be a shock to the system and nobody I've spoken to wants it! Everyone thinks they're just as productive, if not more productive, working from home.

[quote user8783]@castemary I understand, I completely agree. As it happens a close friend works for an emergency services call centre (but it's not her whole job) and it's not pleasant, difficult calls, but much prefers working from home, not yet clear if they'll be allowed to post Covid, their output stats are excellent (better than pre Covid although hard to measure due to number of incidences being less during Covid), but old school management probably won't allow it, with very little justification.[/quote]
Intrigued which emergency services operator is able to work from home. The only one I can think of is 111 which not sure I'd class as ES.

My company are bringing hybrid working in June. It might change tho. Think management hate wfh really

Well let’s hope the bloody GP’s follow suit and get their arses back to work and tell their receptionists to pause Netflix and answer the bloody phones. It’s over - back to work all.
Hoorah!

You can try to negotiate a package. Is your workplace unionised? If so, then ask your union to speak to management. If not, you still have rights to ask for flexible working. Your employer doesn't have to grant it, but you are entitled to a meeting with representation to discuss it. It's the law. If no union, speak to your local CAB.

@Fishandhips police, sorry it's not actually 999/101 calls, call handling for discussion of crimes (victims and perpetrators who need to call and discuss the case).

[quote user8783]@Fishandhips police, sorry it's not actually 999/101 calls, call handling for discussion of crimes (victims and perpetrators who need to call and discuss the case).[/quote]
Makes more sense, pretty bad from a confidentiality point of view though, I'd be surprised if outside of covid guidance that was deemed acceptable.

I think unfortunately it’s up to the employer. We as a company were careful to ensure that any new employees starting with the company during the wfh period were aware that once the return to offices was permitted the expectation was that they would work in the office. Most contracts do make clear that the employer decides the place of work. I think there will be quite a lot of people who moved over the last year assuming the world had changed for good who are now facing a surprisingly long commute. It was never going to be the case that wfh was forever

A lot of us have not had the option to wfh and have been out amongst it all so I think you've been lucky. I can understand how you can get used to it and not want to go back to the office though and I agree a mix would be ideal. X

@Fishandhips yes it's been very new to them, access to the police database all being done at home since last March, they didn't bring them back when restrictions lifted, all auditable though of course. Military staff have been working from home some of which will have access to the highest levels of sensitive data. It goes on more than people think.