Page 18 | Are the days of WFH over?

MerryMarigold · 2023-03-28T19:38:06+00:00

Dh been working from home since Covid. Been 1 FtF meeting a week/ fortnight for past year. Work have said everyone needs to be in work in central London for 3 days per week after Easter. Not too bad for us, we live in the same place we lived before. Still a 1.5hr commute each way (plus associated costs). Not so good for others who live in the middle of nowhere. Is this a trend or just his global company?

BashirWithTheGoodBeard · 30/03/2023 12:28

Allmyplantsdie · 30/03/2023 10:38

I took at 10k paycut to wfh with my fur company. The market rate for my role is now about 15k more. They know if they want me in the office I’ll insist on getting paid market rate. Currently it’s win win for us both.

Sounds like it. I think some employers are struggling to get their heads round the new reality that physical presence in office will, in some cases, require them to pay extra for it.

threatmatrix · 30/03/2023 12:32

Instagramearworms · 30/03/2023 10:13

So you want me to go back to wfh... awesome exactly what I will do, but without the mental health problems you are adamant will happen, even though people have been remote working for years

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Go back to wfh? What are you on about. It clearly states I’m against mostly working from home. Lots of businesses will shut, you won’t know any of your colleagues, no more social events after work and loads more cons to wfh.

threatmatrix · 30/03/2023 12:38

browneyes77 · 30/03/2023 08:56

Well I was working from home BEFORE Covid hit. And have been in my remote role for the last 10 years. So how exactly do I “go back to working like I did before”, when the way I work hasn’t changed? 🙄

WFH for the last 10 years hasn’t impacted negatively on my mental health. Quite the opposite. Because the flexibility I have WFH, means I’m far less stressed in general.

You appear to be yet another person who thinks WFH only existed after Covid hit. Newsflash: It didn’t.

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Oh dear, my husband has worked from home for years on and off so I’m totally aware of this, but thank you for trying to make me look stupid. Trying to have a business conversation with dogs barking, children screaming etc is not professional in any way. If you took on a job where you went into work and they have now asked you to go back then you must go back. Loads of little businesses rely on office based people. So thank you for being pedantic and I wish you well in your solitary lifestyle but most humans need contact. BYE BYE.

threatmatrix · 30/03/2023 12:41

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 30/03/2023 01:17

Or people could just accept that some people could do with going back to work before because that will be beneficial for them whereas some people are benefitting massively from being able to work from home…

You know, with people being different and what helps their mental health being different…

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Trying to all business with dogs barking, kids screaming is not very productive. Loads of my friends are WFH the amount of DIY etc they get done instead of working is unbelievable.

BashirWithTheGoodBeard · 30/03/2023 12:53

If you took on a job where you went into work and they have now asked you to go back then you must go back.

Well, no. There's a third option, which is look elsewhere. An organisation can refuse to allow staff to work remotely or hybrid, but it doesn't follow that they'll then be able to get staff to come into the office. Organisations aren't owed staff in person just because that's what they'd like.

browneyes77 · 30/03/2023 13:06

threatmatrix · 30/03/2023 12:38

Oh dear, my husband has worked from home for years on and off so I’m totally aware of this, but thank you for trying to make me look stupid. Trying to have a business conversation with dogs barking, children screaming etc is not professional in any way. If you took on a job where you went into work and they have now asked you to go back then you must go back. Loads of little businesses rely on office based people. So thank you for being pedantic and I wish you well in your solitary lifestyle but most humans need contact. BYE BYE.

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I mean, you made yourself look stupid.

You didn’t need any help from me.

Instagramearworms · 30/03/2023 13:43

threatmatrix · 30/03/2023 12:32

Go back to wfh? What are you on about. It clearly states I’m against mostly working from home. Lots of businesses will shut, you won’t know any of your colleagues, no more social events after work and loads more cons to wfh.

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I am on about the fact you are telling people to go back to what they did from before covid and for some of us that was already remote working

Many of us have been quietly remote working for years and now suddenly post covid a subset of people who clearly do t like wfh for whatever reason thinks they have the right to dictate we go back into the office as if suddenly their opinion holds extra special validity

Two of my colleagues are my best friends, we talk every day outside of work as well as plenty in it. So all the rubbish about not getting to know people is just assumptions not our reality.

threatmatrix · 30/03/2023 14:03

Instagramearworms · 30/03/2023 13:43

I am on about the fact you are telling people to go back to what they did from before covid and for some of us that was already remote working

Many of us have been quietly remote working for years and now suddenly post covid a subset of people who clearly do t like wfh for whatever reason thinks they have the right to dictate we go back into the office as if suddenly their opinion holds extra special validity

Two of my colleagues are my best friends, we talk every day outside of work as well as plenty in it. So all the rubbish about not getting to know people is just assumptions not our reality.

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I’ll bet your works Xmas parties are a riot.

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 30/03/2023 14:07

threatmatrix · 30/03/2023 12:41

Trying to all business with dogs barking, kids screaming is not very productive. Loads of my friends are WFH the amount of DIY etc they get done instead of working is unbelievable.

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People working with barking dogs and screaming kids is a management issue.

People taking the piss and doing other stuff during work hours is a management issue.

It’s not a wfh issue. Plenty of people work very successfully from home.

Its as if folks have forgotten that the lazy fuckers that take umpteen tea breaks, smoke breaks and “oh look, the phones are mad and Brenda is at the photocopier again” issues in the office also existed.

Its an interesting brand of arrogance to be so adamant that the way you think work should happen is how it should happen for absolutely everyone, with zero acceptance that people (and jobs) are all different.

threatmatrix · 30/03/2023 14:08

Yawn

Instagramearworms · 30/03/2023 14:09

threatmatrix · 30/03/2023 14:03

I’ll bet your works Xmas parties are a riot.

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Because you so clearly bring the sunshine?

Actually yes they are great we have a lot of fun the occasions we do all get together

I'm a massive extrovert and I think assumptions that people who work from home are isolated introverts who are miserable are just from people who lack imagination and empathy

threatmatrix · 30/03/2023 14:12

Anything else? Aren’t you meant to be working?

threatmatrix · 30/03/2023 14:13

I doubt you could help one with anything. BYE

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 30/03/2023 14:14

threatmatrix · 30/03/2023 14:13

I doubt you could help one with anything. BYE

Is it the school holidays already?

Instagramearworms · 30/03/2023 14:15

threatmatrix · 30/03/2023 14:12

Anything else? Aren’t you meant to be working?

Me? I'm on holiday this week looking after my nephew.

You on the other hand are exactly the sort of person I would try to get out of working in an office with from the way you are coming across on here

threatmatrix · 30/03/2023 14:52

Instagramearworms · 30/03/2023 14:15

Me? I'm on holiday this week looking after my nephew.

You on the other hand are exactly the sort of person I would try to get out of working in an office with from the way you are coming across on here

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I own my own quite large business and keep my staff for years but hey ho you know me, right?

Movingonupi · 30/03/2023 15:12

@Coffeepot72 and others how many times do I have to repeat YOU DO NOT WFH TO SAVE MONEY ON CHILDCARE! I save on commuting, yea but children are still in nursery and after school club. I can’t believe how many people think this…I wouldn’t be able to work at home with a child there 😂🙈

Rosscameasdoody · 30/03/2023 15:16

Mummysalwaysright · 30/03/2023 10:32

"massive cost of living crisis" - that might apply to some people but for all the office workers on good salarries it means they can afford one less holiday a year or have to drive around in a 4 year old car. They ought to have saved more in the good times.

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Goady shite. And even if it were true, not everyone is on a good salary. So what about them ?

CandlelightGlow · 30/03/2023 15:23

Instagramearworms · 29/03/2023 23:45

Its just a new variation on 'young people don't know how to do their jobs like we did at their age'

A few years ago it was that young people were coming out of uni without any useful skills, now it's that they can't function remotely

On the other hand I have a team of graduates who prefer to work remotely and are excellent at their jobs. They ask questions when needed using appropriate channels we go into the office for catch ups and training, they have the option of coming in more often when some of the team like to be around if they want to and they certainly aren't lacking soft skills.

But given most millennials are now raising children and can't be moaned at so much for eating avocado on toast it makes sense to move on to gen z having no soft skills and not knowing how to behave in the workplace because they don't go out for drinks every week (which has never been a thing in any workplace I've worked in)

Some might struggle but a lot of what's on here is people of all ages who either need company, can't focus themselves or like to micromanage. It's not necessarily an age related thing at all. But where would we be if both young and old people couldn't be patronised?

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👏🙌

CandlelightGlow · 30/03/2023 15:29

Bensteeth · 29/03/2023 21:10

That’s a disproportionate reaction. Fortunately my employer does not see red over my working habits and associated performance, quite the opposite. Do you know how many people spend hours scrolling through social media apps whilst sat at their desk? Staring into space? Watching TV? Is it okay if they’re on a call in their study not paying attention but not okay if they’re totally focussed and concentrating on the conversation, whilst occupying their hands with something that takes no mental capacity?

The worst part about your anger is that there is a point to be made, but it is misdirected. It isn’t about the people who are doing the mental parts of their work away from their desk, it’s about the people who aren’t actually working and fly under the radar because they’re at home and can’t be seen.

I don’t think your second point was directed at me so not going to defend myself on that one, but have a think about whether your objections are based on sound logic or whether they’re based on appearances only.

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100%. This "seeing red" bollocks is thoughtless presenteeism at its finest.

Most people are able to efficiently manage their time and account for time they may spend doing x and still ensure they are giving sufficient time to y.

I used to work in an office where a my line manager who had been their decades would physically turn to me, expect me to do the same so I couldn't even look at my PC, and engage me in pointless chit chat for 15, 20 mins at a time, multiple times per day. How is that better than this poster taking 5 mins to chop some veg while she's talking work and not needing her hands to type at her laptop.

Smallminded and bad for productivity, this "in the office under my gaze at all costs" attitude is.

Notanothernewname · 30/03/2023 15:43

CandlelightGlow · 30/03/2023 15:29

100%. This "seeing red" bollocks is thoughtless presenteeism at its finest.

Most people are able to efficiently manage their time and account for time they may spend doing x and still ensure they are giving sufficient time to y.

I used to work in an office where a my line manager who had been their decades would physically turn to me, expect me to do the same so I couldn't even look at my PC, and engage me in pointless chit chat for 15, 20 mins at a time, multiple times per day. How is that better than this poster taking 5 mins to chop some veg while she's talking work and not needing her hands to type at her laptop.

Smallminded and bad for productivity, this "in the office under my gaze at all costs" attitude is.

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My old manager insisted we go into the office 3 days a week, which had to be when she was also in. She would also spring meetings on us on a Friday afternoon. I say spring as she would just send them out with 20 minutes notice or call us with no notice. She hated us working from home, she didn't trust us to do our work and insisted on us still doing 9-5 even when we were wfh.

Instagramearworms · 30/03/2023 18:42

threatmatrix · 30/03/2023 14:52

I own my own quite large business and keep my staff for years but hey ho you know me, right?

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I'm really good at recognising names and posting styles and I'm pretty sure you are the poster who apparently works in the NHS, and a high powered job paying her staff 45k a year, whilst working as a waitress, owning 4 eateries and working in the one cafe 7 days a week. So sure I'm going to believe your claims...

GIorious · 30/03/2023 19:19

Mummysalwaysright · 30/03/2023 10:10

Lots of people have been having it easy WfH for the past 3 years and don't realise that now most people who have a work ethic and want to get on in life are back in the office.

The only way to be promoted will be to turn up and be accountable.

People feel entitled to save money on child care or commuting costs ( which is understandable), but we all had to bear these pre-Covid.

It's time to wake up imo

Don't be silly. DH has wfh since March 2020 and has been promoted twice. And his work ethic is fine, thanks - he started at 8am today and is still working now.

Also, everything was far cheaper pre-covid.

CherryCokeFanatic · 30/03/2023 19:32

Today I managed to log in on time having got out of bed just 30 mins prior, go to the gym for 90 mins over my 1 hour lunch break, do all the work expected of me and get some housework done.

Courtesy of my usb mouse jiggler I appeared online on Teams at all times even when I’m away from the computer. I let it change me to away when at the gym.

After work (got distracted with housework so I logged off 15 mins after contractual hours) I went for a 1.5 hour walk and am just sitting down now with my dinner.

My salary is going up 6% next month.

Happy days

Long may it continue

Schmutter · 30/03/2023 19:57

CherryCokeFanatic · 30/03/2023 19:32

Today I managed to log in on time having got out of bed just 30 mins prior, go to the gym for 90 mins over my 1 hour lunch break, do all the work expected of me and get some housework done.

Courtesy of my usb mouse jiggler I appeared online on Teams at all times even when I’m away from the computer. I let it change me to away when at the gym.

After work (got distracted with housework so I logged off 15 mins after contractual hours) I went for a 1.5 hour walk and am just sitting down now with my dinner.

My salary is going up 6% next month.

Happy days

Long may it continue

USB mouse jiggler, you say?! I need one of those when I have a long pub lunch on a Friday! 😁

I wake up precisely one minute before I roll over and bid my team good morning on Teams. I then check my emails before I go and have a leisurely shower. I work hard, and do a long day, but I really could not go back to being in an office every day.

Are the days of WFH over?

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