If you work from home, what is good about it?

[Leemoe]

I have just been offered a wfh role, office hours mon-fri.

Currently I work 7-9 three days per week in a field based role travelling a territory which covers 300 miles or so.

Obviously it's quite a big change but it is a promotion of sorts so I feel as though I should have a good crack at it.
DH also wfh office hours. Tbh I'm not relishing spending every waking hour with him...we have a very good marriage but it just seems like asking for trouble. Surely we will be sick of the sight of one another?

However I'm looking forward to the house being more organised, being able to keep on top of the laundry a bit more and being able to do school runs a bit more frequently, oh and being able to clock off at five and go out for the evening with the DCs etc. And I will be off every weekend so long as I don't want to do any overtime, which given the current financial crisis I will possibly need to...

I do feel luke I will lose the will to live stuck in the house all day as I'm quite an outgoing person who likes the company of others.

I just worry that I'm going to hate wfh.
I feel odd saying that because most people seem to see it as a big perk of the job.

Am I missing something marvellous about it which is really bloody obvious to everybody else?

Thanks in advance for any advice and/or experiences

So many things that others have said. I do 2 days in the office and 3 at home, it is just a much more flexible and balanced way of life. I can get to the gym easier before and after work or on lunch, meaning more time to do other things. I am much less tired due to a later alarm and no commute. I can spend time with my two cats, and actually get on with work properly without running around to meetings and getting distracted by people in the office. I get loads more done! I see more of my partner too. I can visit a local sandwich shop for lunch which is a nice walk to break up the day. I’m currently pregnant and it will make nursery drops and collections way easier.
The time it’s given back has been invaluable.

I've wfh for a few years now whereas DH was office based until 4 months ago. I was so worried about us both being in the house; thinking it would feel like lockdown again, but like others have said, we're in separate rooms so we barely see each other. It works perfectly.
We're able to alternate the school run rather than just me doing it. Getting ahead on chores/making tea is great. DH says he feels much more relaxed now, not having a commute.

We got a dog.

I have wfh for about 14 years now. DH even longer.

No commute means more free time.

My anxiety levels are much lower. Offices are built for NT people who enjoy groups.

i am healthier and get sick less often.

it is much easier for one of us to be available if a child has a sick day or we need to be up at the school for any reason

i don’t have to deal with the allergy risk from being in an office. on the rare days I go in I load up on antihistamines, carry my epipens from meeting to meeting and hope for the best.

I've left a job of 10 years to go fully remote with another company.

Things I love about it;

1. No more getting up super early and commuting 3hrs per day.

1. Saving £23 per day in train fare

1. I control the temperature so I am comfortable

1. Being there for DC before and after school

1. No more "mum guilt" getting home super late after commuting and being a lifeless zombie

1. Having the energy and time to do things in the evening, both with friends and family

1. Being able to cook at lunchtime without worrying about the smell bothering anyone

1. Being able to do things like laundry/emptying the dishwasher etc on screen breaks

1. More flexibility during the day as I'm not tied to specific trains and work hours

10. My cat is happy I'm around

11. No office small talk or formal office wear

12. Easier to exercise on my lunch break

13. No commuter germs - I haven't been ill once since I stopped commuting

14. I'm home for things like inset days, strikes, school plays, sports days, emergency school pick ups etc

15. In for deliveries

16. Increases home security

17. More productive leading to career development

18. Easier to concentrate.

19. Easier to earn extra money by having the time and energy to do overtime

20. Not wasting money on office coffees/lunches/drinks/make up/workwear

21. Can avoid the office creeps!

22. No bra

23. No commuter rage with sniffing, man spreading, loud conversations, BO, bad breath etc.

24. I can enjoy burning candles and incense during the day

I'm sure there is more. I love WFH.

I work 4 days a week and generally do 1 or 2 days a week in the office. Could you do the odd day from the office? I love working from home, but I don't think I could go back to doing it full time. I need the office interaction sometimes.

The positives when I do wfh:

• later wake ups

• time to sort DC lunchboxes, uniforms etc without being in a rush.

• no need to look smart or do hair and make-up

• being able to get some chores done in the time I'd normally be travelling

• already being at home when you're finished

• dog walk at lunch rather than sitting on my arse in the office all day.

• arrange deliveries for when I'm home

• not getting so dragged into office politics

• children can be home with me if they're off poorly, rather than trying to arrange last minute childcare

I wfh almost full time, but usually go into the office 1x per week. I like the balance and that day of face to face is quite energising.

I don’t think I could go back to a job where I didn’t wfh. I get so much more done, plus I can go to the gym at any point during the day that suits my schedule (we work ‘agile’ so there is no expectation to work structured hours). I wake up about 5 minutes before I switch on my laptop, check my emails, check in with my team and then have a shower at my leisure.

DH and I worked for the same company in different teams but in 2021 we had to wfh together for around 6 months, it was fine and not q problem for us, he then got another job and I continue to wfh

For me, positives are no commute, not having to prep packed lunch, comfy clothes, I can have the radio on or listen to podcasts or music, go for a walk or sunbathe in the garden when it’s hot at lunchtime, having my cat for company, not overspending at the supermarket when you just nip in for one thing on your way home from the office, and
No 22 @S72 👍🏼😁

Negatives, I can get quite lonely as I live alone, bloody freezing at times.

Another positive - being able to work anywhere. I have family around the UK.

It is so nice being able to visit and not use all my annual leave. Start early, work 7.00-10:30. Have family time then log back on in the evening to finish.

Some companies also let you work abroad, which is another bonus.

I love it too

I get up later
No commute
Can buy a car I like rather than one which is 'sensible'
Less commuting costs
Less money on work clothes
Comfy clothes
Get a head start on washing / housework
Walk the dogs in the morning and lunchtimes
Flexible working, I can work early and finish early etc
I manage my own calendar
Manage my own work load
Home when the dc get in from school
When I finish work, I'm at home the same time
In for deliveries
My dogs love me being at home

I joined borrow my doggy and look after a gorgeous dog three times a week. all the other things people have mentioned and I joined a few local network groups so I don't become completely feral

Oh yes, being able to use your own loo is a big positive. No more panicking if you've got a dicky tummy or hideously heavy period. Using communal loos causes me stress.

I enjoy the office, but not the cost or logistics of the commute.

Working from home is great for saving money on the commute, works well with school (breakfast and after school club, but wouldn't make it home for end of after school club with the commute).

Laundry...realistically only takes a few minutes break, so not wasting work time but still getting it done. Same with prepping dinner, or taking stuff out of the freezer when you remember you forgot to in the morning.

Don't have to take any time off to be home for deliveries. Can fit medical appointments in during the day instead of having to miss half the day travelling to/from work.

Quiet when needed for concentrated work or calls.

I love it. I think the biggest bonus is already being home when you finish work, gives you back so much time.

I find it less tiring working from home, no more 2 hour commute and it’s great to be saving on train fare.

Also as someone with young kids it’s really helpful to get a few things done around the house in breaks. The school hosts class assembly’s, look at books sessions so it’s much easier to attend these.
I can cook healthy lunches and go for walks in lunch break without being tempted by shops.
I enjoy wfh, but do occasional miss seeing people daily other than my wfh DH!
We’re both often on meetings most of the day though so we do talk to others and don’t get on top of each other usually.

I don’t have to wear a bra all the time and I get to have sex with my husband on my lunch break 😂

But seriously, it’s given me my life back.

Lovely slow start in the early morning or a Pilates class. Cosy warm socks and PJ bottoms in winter. The cats are happy when they see it's a home day, and the big one spends it by my feet under my desk. If I get stressed I can lie down on the floor and do breathing exercises, and if I have a little energy dip I can do something constructive like dishes or laundry to change the pace. And I get 90+ minutes back in my day without the commute. Absolutely adore WFH.

One of the things that people don't think of that I actually love - permanent access to your own toilet/bathroom!

No faffing about in public toilets anymore!

Yes I never thought of this!

I had having a poo at work and make myself ill.

Poo in peace is the best.

Hate

I worked from home for a bit and loved every minute. No ghastly commute, no fighting through traffic, no office politics. I’m an introvert, so being forced to interact with people all day is exhausting. When I worked from home, I had so much more energy. I also enjoyed my weekends more since I wasn’t burned out. All over now, I’m sorry to say.

The downside was noise. We live near a motorway, and, unfortunately, more and more people seem to have ridiculous modified exhausts that make a banging, screeching noise (I can hear one as I type). You see them everywhere- like huge canons attached to the backs of people’s cars. They drive me insane. I don’t know how they are allowed to get away with it. It’s just SO selfish. We also have noisy neighbours, who are at home during the day. In the end, I bought some noise cancelling headphones (they didn’t help).

I used to pay other people to look after Ds whilst I commuted into an office. Now I see so much more of him. I make his tea every night and we have breakfast together every day too. Can get him to cubs myself, nip into school to see a choir performance or a class assembly, not to mention getting the washing done during the week

Me and DH WFH together quite a lot of the time, we have our own workspaces and do our own thing on breaks. Other than that it’s like having a colleague (with benefits) to do the tea run.

I love:
Get more sleep, have longer lie ins

Don’t pay for breakfast club for DS

Can log on early or late to have client meetings with other countries without it meaning having to stay late in the office

I never ever get that Sunday night dread feeling

Autonomy over time and workload

Save loads on coffees/lunches/commute

Can listen to podcasts/music and burn candles

I go into the office once every couple of weeks and make an event of it - face to face coffees, lunches with colleagues, make an effort to stop and talk to everybody. Get bugger all done on those days.

No shoes, I wear my slippers.
Having a cuddle with the dog while I'm working, she's small so will sit on my knees.
The view through the window.
No people, no office politics, just me the dog and tea when I want it.
The pay is so much better than the local jobs.
No commute.

No commute is the biggest one! My office is about 1hr commute and as it's in city I can't take the car so need to drive to station then get the train then 10min walk 🙄 That's what I absolutely do not miss! Also the cost (although I think with heating being on a lot I'm prob not saving in the winter months).

U can put a wash on, tumble dryer on/hand washing out in summer or empty the dishwasher/bins etc. I'm very chatty so if I was in the office i wld spend way longer than the time those tasks take chatting to everyone!

I do all school drop offs and pick ups. Eldest stays with me for last couple of work hours. Im only 3 days a week so I don't have any after school fees.

I catch up on the soaps while working (well depends what I'm doing as sometimes I'm focusing so end up turning it off). Listen to the radio or podcasts too sometimes.

Go to gym on my lunch break. I sometimes do home workout now but can also meet a friend for a walk or a quick lunch.

I don't bother with makeup when I'd have a face on for the office.

If my child is sick I'm 5mins away not 1hr ur plus depending on if I've just missed a train. Also if things on at school I can attend and catch up later on the evening.

Also things like going to gp etc doesn't take much time out my day it's 5min drive away.

I'm not sure I'd enjoy it as much 5days a week as it does get a bit lonely. If u have a family though it's amazing for flexibility. I'm only 3 days and I don't go to the office my team go once a week at the moment but it's supposed to be 2 days eventually.