what's the obsession with "getting back to the office!

[Bells3032]

I get some people want to return to the office and i think they should have a right to. but i don't get the obsession that we "MUST" return to the office. Honestly, my DH and I have both been working from home. I am a public sector, he's private. his office have just started return but don't seem to be enforcing it much and they've also announced their best two years of profit ever.

I get some people e.g. those doing passports or probate etc would be much easier in the office as access to paperwork but my job is 100% computer based and I am far more productive at home.

1. no long commute so less tired plus less likelihood of being late.
2. no "nattering" in the office
3. no time wondering round looking for a desk in the morning and ending up with an inappropriate desk space because we are short. I have a proper desk and chair at home so less back pain
4. no trying to find meeting rooms - just hop on zoom and there everyone is
5. no spending time queuing for the toilet etc
6. less sickness as people not picking up bugs on the trains etc
7. they can sell some real estate or not pay as much rent

What actually would be the benefit to me or my employers to me returning to office? What is with the obsession? Could someone explain to me WHY I should return to the office?

@Fandangoes

as a business owner I think you are dramatically under estimating the benefits of collaboration and mentoring that have been lost due to home working. Its all well and good for experienced workers towards the end of their career but there is no substitute for the kind of experience younger employees can get by just working in an office environment observing and absorbing experience round about them. We may not see the true extent of the consequences of this loss for a good number of years yet but it should not be overlooked.

I agree with this 100% and it was exactly my experience

You (in general) spend more if you travel to work. You pay for fuel or public transport and you'll probably buy lunch or a coffee. Then, after a day at least an hour longer due to the commute, you're tired and order a takeaway rather than cooking. You might pay for a cleaner or childcare. You also buy office clothes and bags and things.

A tired and stressed workforce spends more money. I'm being cynical, but I don't think I'm wrong.

Yup, money. Everything you spend means tax for the government.

Although the idea solution is for everybody else to go back to work paying tax to spend on things for you, while you yourself work from home.

Although the idea solution is for everybody else to go back to work paying tax to spend on things for you, while you yourself work from home

Or we could close all the tax loopholes for Amazon, StarBucks et al.

I think hybrid working is a good balance. You can structure your week so that the work you do best when uninterrupted and alone can be done on WFH days, and the work where collaboration helps can be done in the office. And if you work n a company of more than two employees and genuinely can’t think of any reason at all you’d sometimes need to collaborate in person with your colleagues, I think you’re probably in the wrong job.

I spent over half an hour on hold to a supplier this morning listening to a repeated automated hold message telling me that, due to staff currently working from home, could I please be patient and expect a longer waiting time. I wonder if all those staff are included in the ranks of workers who think their efficiency has quadrupled whilst at home?

*Upsielazy

It's pretty sad how insular society is becoming. Won't be long until everyone just lives in little individual pods and interacts via the Internet*

Read The Machine Stops by EM Forster - written over 100 years ago and amazingly prophetic:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Machine_Stops

"The story describes a world in which most of the human population has lost the ability to live on the surface of the Earth. Each individual now lives in isolation below ground in a standard room, with all bodily and spiritual needs met by the omnipotent, global Machine. Travel is permitted, but is unpopular and rarely necessary. Communication is made via a kind of instant messaging/video conferencing machine with which people conduct their only activity: the sharing of ideas and what passes for knowledge."

Plus it's not what you want. It's not based on employee needs. It's based on business needs.

And plenty of businesses can and have decided that what they need is a move to WFH or at least hybrid, due to a happier and more flexible workforce and fewer extortionate office rental costs.

Also, plenty of people can indeed call some shots on this front. Companies will go to great lengths to keep real talent and will factor that into their WFH decisions.

It is interesting that many say they have no intention of going back to the office, yet those same people are more than happy for Shop staff, binmen, nurses teachers etc to be in work

@gannett

Plus it's not what you want. It's not based on employee needs. It's based on business needs.

And plenty of businesses can and have decided that what they need is a move to WFH or at least hybrid, due to a happier and more flexible workforce and fewer extortionate office rental costs.

Also, plenty of people can indeed call some shots on this front. Companies will go to great lengths to keep real talent and will factor that into their WFH decisions.

The majority of people can be replaced though. As much as everyone loves to think they can't, they usually can and a lot of time it'll be at cheaper cost. If you sign a contract saying you are office based, a company has every right to enforce that. It's their decision. Some are going hybrid, some aren't, it's all down to each companies decision.

Working from home is boring and lonely and unnatural. We are not meant to be locked in the same space day after day. I would be very unhappy if I was 20 years younger, as it is it’s not a bad way to head into retirement. I think we are heading for a big ride in mental health issues and productivity dips if we insist on keeping this model for those starting their careers.

Fewer of us moving around is better for the planet

Money is being spent in the commuter towns/local high streets but yes not so much in the larger towns.

@Mybalconyiscracking

Working from home is boring and lonely and unnatural. We are not meant to be locked in the same space day after day. I would be very unhappy if I was 20 years younger, as it is it’s not a bad way to head into retirement. I think we are heading for a big ride in mental health issues and productivity dips if we insist on keeping this model for those starting their careers.

Potentially but I also think it means people can forge friendships in their home areas. Go to the gym at lunch, do a school run etc so can bring more meaningful relationships too?

@Campervan69

*Upsielazy

It's pretty sad how insular society is becoming. Won't be long until everyone just lives in little individual pods and interacts via the Internet*

Read The Machine Stops by EM Forster - written over 100 years ago and amazingly prophetic:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Machine_Stops

"The story describes a world in which most of the human population has lost the ability to live on the surface of the Earth. Each individual now lives in isolation below ground in a standard room, with all bodily and spiritual needs met by the omnipotent, global Machine. Travel is permitted, but is unpopular and rarely necessary. Communication is made via a kind of instant messaging/video conferencing machine with which people conduct their only activity: the sharing of ideas and what passes for knowledge."

Thank you I haven't read it but looks interesting, will have a read!

Lack of exercise is a worry when WFH I think. I know on MN everyone is going to the gym at lunch time but in RL they don’t seem to be.

@FrownedUpon

Agree. I love wfh & we’re continuing to work this way. Sick days have reduced massively & we have a happier workforce.

There would be a mass exodus at my work if we stopped wfh!

They would just advertise, fill the jobs and replace you. Everyone is replaceable.

@Fandangoes

as a business owner I think you are dramatically under estimating the benefits of collaboration and mentoring that have been lost due to home working. Its all well and good for experienced workers towards the end of their career but there is no substitute for the kind of experience younger employees can get by just working in an office environment observing and absorbing experience round about them. We may not see the true extent of the consequences of this loss for a good number of years yet but it should not be overlooked.

I agree. It’s the next lorry driver shortage but with office and professionals instead when there are few younger workers coming through to replace the older ones retiring.

My thoughts too @LowlandLucky

How many of us have been frustrated by not being able to speak to someone and/or been put into a queue of , say , 27 or told that our call will be answered in 35 minutes?

I've mentioned on a similar thread about trying to talk to someone about policy changes and been asked to 'hang on' while she dealt with her toddler.

It just smacks of bleating on about how unfair it is for employers wanting their staff back in .
Yes I'm sure it's so much yummier to work from home as you can fit in so much more .. peloton ( yes ) jogging, running, playing with little ones in the park, cycling, shopping..... I've never so many people out and about during a working week.

Im also not sure why a lot keep saying how much more productive they are at home, surely it either means they were doing not much in the office, or businesses can cut the number of staff they have as everyone is so much more efficient.

I think what it actually means is that most people can get their job in done in around 5 hours of the working day. When you're in an office you spend the rest of the time chatting to colleagues, going to the loo, making a brew, advising younger colleagues on trickier issues etc. When you're at home all that time can be spent putting a wash on, going for a jog, picking up the kids from school etc

Given how understaffed we are , losing ten minutes to chat in the corridors and another 20 in finding meeting rooms or headphones to blank out the racket , all adds up

And I basically am working my commute time in many days

@2blackandwhitecats

Lack of exercise is a worry when WFH I think. I know on MN everyone is going to the gym at lunch time but in RL they don’t seem to be.

Absolutely. I clock up approx 15,000 steps on an office day. Today working from home it's only just 4,000. I love having the choice of both, never thought I would have the opportunity in my job.

Well I suspect it's financial from the governments perspective

But in our office all the young people, who are in shared houses, and restricted to their bedrooms, and who want to learn from senior members of staff, have a social life, want to move up the career ladder, all are desperate to be in the office. For an organisation it's about the whole workforce, not just those who love being at home, who have a whole house to go to, who aren't bothered about progressing. I can see the value for hybrid working from that perspective at least.

@LowlandLucky

It is interesting that many say they have no intention of going back to the office, yet those same people are more than happy for Shop staff, binmen, nurses teachers etc to be in work

This^^

Chatting to colleagues recently there is very much a feeling of them and us.

I've had cause you phone 3 CS departments today from my office. Here's my beef:

-if everyone is as productive as they claim why are the office hours still truncated

-if everyone is professional as they claim why can I hear their kids, washing machines and dogs in the background

-the tech is not as good because you can hear an echo on their line

I think that a hybrid model has merit, but only if the WFH set up is office equivalent.

I suspect quite a few people will see their utility bills rocket when they're heating their homes for an extra 8 hours a day.

Further, it's not just bringing on younger employees. I learn just as much from them.