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Original poster

So tired of being made to come into into the office

68 replies

cofingalthetime · 08/07/2022 10:33

So I'm in the office today - everyone else either on leave or working from home. I think I'm one of the only people in the building. I wish I was at home too - it's really hot and uncomfortable here, I'm not getting anything done, and literally nobody to even talk to. I don't see the point of being here.

Management refuse to listen - all working from home themselves. As a colleague said during the week "we are here to "guard the office". Guard it from what? or for whom

Very frustrating. Am literally staring at the clock every 5 mins.

OP posts:
NightmareSlashDelightful · 08/07/2022 13:39

Well to be fair @Jalisco pre-pandemic OP wouldn't be sat there on her own.

NoToLandfill · 08/07/2022 13:52

Oh yes is there not a lone worker policy for the office?
It isn't good to be the only one in.

ConfusedParticle · 08/07/2022 13:58

try job seekers, you can stay at home that way!

oh how the pandemic has changed us all, lol.

I've worked from home for 20 years and until the pandemic was frequently called "lazy, jammy bastard, what do you doooo all day?"

Suddenly it's really legitimate and trendy.

I think the pandemic convinced the upper working classes (many of which are on MN, contrary to the perception of them being MC) that they could get away with not attending a workplace indefinitely. It's ok of course for Tesco workers to attend work, naturally, they are less educated than pen pushers anyway. We prefer this new world where we can moan on MN all day, sat at a miserable little desk in the spare room of our teeny new build, not having to get dressed, and eat our way into oblivion. Keeps the weightloss section busy though, I suppope.

On a serious note, if you take on employment, expect to go to work, unless you are contracted to wfh in the first place. A lowly warehouse worker would be told to know their place on here, so get to it!

Pleasebeafleabite · 08/07/2022 13:59

If OP really is the only person in the office why isn’t she having a nice nap at her desk instead of posting on MN. I know what I’d be doing if I’d had one hour’s sleep 💤

Leftbutcameback · 08/07/2022 14:12

If you are struggling with menopause and insomnia and it would be helped by WFH (which makes sense), then have you approached HR and asked for some reasonable adjustments?

WomanStanleyWoman2 · 08/07/2022 14:15

ConfusedParticle · 08/07/2022 13:58

try job seekers, you can stay at home that way!

oh how the pandemic has changed us all, lol.

I've worked from home for 20 years and until the pandemic was frequently called "lazy, jammy bastard, what do you doooo all day?"

Suddenly it's really legitimate and trendy.

I think the pandemic convinced the upper working classes (many of which are on MN, contrary to the perception of them being MC) that they could get away with not attending a workplace indefinitely. It's ok of course for Tesco workers to attend work, naturally, they are less educated than pen pushers anyway. We prefer this new world where we can moan on MN all day, sat at a miserable little desk in the spare room of our teeny new build, not having to get dressed, and eat our way into oblivion. Keeps the weightloss section busy though, I suppope.

On a serious note, if you take on employment, expect to go to work, unless you are contracted to wfh in the first place. A lowly warehouse worker would be told to know their place on here, so get to it!

The argument ‘People who can’t work from home have to go to work, so people who can should do it too!’ doesn’t really fly.

WimbyAce · 08/07/2022 14:33

Ours brought in a rule that full timers have to do 3 office days. I am part time but they never clarified what part timers have to do, currently I'm doing 2 days out of 3. But the managers have started doing their own thing and it has crept back to 2 days for them. What can you do though, can't really challenge it? Just feel like a mug tbh

Jalisco · 08/07/2022 16:31

Haha bit jealous there of people working at home @Jalisco

Nope. I work from home all the time. Did before the pandemic. Nothing to do with pandemics. Everything to do with disability.

But I am fed up of people who have choices whinging constantly because they are expected in the office part of the week. The OP was clear - everyone is expected to do 3 days a week. The fact that some people are currently using annual leave and not in the office is irrelevant - the OP may also use annual leave to not come in the office. It's odd I know, but it's July and half the workforce are on leave and the other half will be on leave soon. This is what happens in summer, in offices, every year. Nothing unusual about that.

If the OP doesn't like it they are welcome to find a job that has the terms they like - just as everyone always has been.

Celia24 · 08/07/2022 16:38

If possible I'd look for a new job. My last company was like this. Current one much better.

offyoufuckcuntychops · 08/07/2022 16:39

orangeisthenewpuce · 08/07/2022 13:17

You're still being paid even though you don't fancy being told where you have to work. Do your job.

Couldn't agree more.

WeAllHaveWings · 08/07/2022 16:56

Ours is the same, daft rule to come into the office once a week for now. So I drive in, sit by myself most of the day on zoom calls to my remote team, then drive home. Meaning I cant attend early online meetings with APAC or later calls with US (because i refuse to commute and be that flexible as the impact on work/life balance is too much). Boss 100% agrees with me and has pushed to keep it at one day only for now, but it is a ridiculous mandate from above without looking at individual jobs.

Next year there are moving to new offices not far from original location, but with no parking, (they have bike racks 🤦🏻‍♀️) so the 30 min drive will become an expensive 90 min walk/bus/walk in Scottish weather for the pleasure sitting in the office talking to no one face to face for work purposes.

User135644 · 08/07/2022 17:00

I'm a believer in if the managers want you in then you should go in; but they have to practice what they preach and set that example. Being made to go in (when you can work effectively from home) isn't right if the management are sat at home themselves.

User135644 · 08/07/2022 17:02

The argument ‘People who can’t work from home have to go to work, so people who can should do it too!’ doesn’t really fly.

It's that uniquely British mentality that the Tories exploit with a race to the bottom.

MrsOwainGlyndŵr · 08/07/2022 17:10

Ask them what their lone worker policy is. We're discouraged from being in the office on our own, particularly on dark evenings.
What would happen if you're taken ill? Do security patrol regularly ?

MarshaMelrose · 08/07/2022 17:14

You want to be at home so you can nap at lunchtime and have a fan on.
So just nap in your car or rig up something in he office, and take a fan in.

You don't like being in the office because you're the only one there.
How many people are in your office at home?

I don't see how it's any different doing your work at the office as opposed to home.

pilates · 08/07/2022 17:15

YABU
This mentality is why the country is in the state it is. Depressing really. We’ve come out of a pandemic we should be pulling together and working hard to get us back on track.

PuppyMonkey · 08/07/2022 17:16

I don’t really get it, you’re basically not doing any work today as you’re too tired and nobody is checking this or asking where your work is? Confused

MarvelMrs · 08/07/2022 17:19

Sounds daft but can you put the radio or tv on (even via streaming on your computer) for company. I understand what you mean about an empty office.
Could you try a different approach with management and have a minimum on site due to safety and lone working? Minimum three or four people? Or would it backfire and upset people’s AL?

Unphased · 08/07/2022 17:21

Did you take the job knowing you would have to work in a office?

Jalisco · 08/07/2022 17:30

MrsOwainGlyndŵr · 08/07/2022 17:10

Ask them what their lone worker policy is. We're discouraged from being in the office on our own, particularly on dark evenings.
What would happen if you're taken ill? Do security patrol regularly ?

They aren't a lone worker though. As a minimum there is a security officer there - OP said so. And I suspect others too. Being the only person in a room in a building is not lone working.

Let's be honest here. There is nothing wrong with the OPs mental health, and they are not lone working. They are tired and would really prefer not to be in the office because at home nobody can see them skiving. Which is why those of us who have no other choices get a reputation for skiving. If the OP is too tired to work, there's sick leave. If they don't like the employers policy on hybrid working, get another job. If they object to people taking annual leave, well that's not going to make them friends amongst their colleagues, but put in a grievance and say you don't want people taking leave when it doesn't suit your personal requirements- I'm sure management can find a system of refusing annual leave to ensure more people are in when they are required to be. Just don't be surprised when you get your leave turned down!

Bit the bottom line is, if you don't like your job, get another.

balalake · 08/07/2022 18:15

If you really are the only one, then at least if you walked to work you won't be getting Covid 19 from being unnecessarily forced into the office.

I think you should be looking for another job. At least when I go in there are others there in enough numbers for there to be both social distancing and the times when face to face conversations actually help work.

treesandweeds · 08/07/2022 18:20

You aren't at work to chat and certainly not to nap! Just get your work done, it's what you are being paid for!!!

mumda · 08/07/2022 18:23

Lone working policy?

Electric bill for the virtually unused office?
Madness.

dolphinsarentcommon · 08/07/2022 18:29

Are you usually on top of your game and productive at home OP? In between chatting to whoever you usually chat to and your naps?

Maybe there's some concerns about your performance and so they're asking you to actually attend to see if it improves?

Polichinelle · 08/07/2022 18:51

I've worked from home for the last 5 years but my company had an office in another city which a few employees attended. We've now cancelled the lease and everyone works from home. Some people like it, others don't, but we did get a pay increase to help with added costs related to wfh.

I sometimes miss the buzz of working in an office but after so many years, it's probably just a fantasy.

OP, in your position, I'd look for another job. LinkedIn is full of remote offers