Page 4 | Working this week but I don't have time for it

fondoutcheese · 2025-12-17T09:11:42+00:00

I have so much to do to prepare for Christmas next week. I just don't have time for work. I'm FT and cant afford to take any time off. I am WAH today, just sitting staring ay my PC looking at all the things around me that need doing. They are within arms reach ... but I cannot get to them due to work. Sigh.

Teenagequeenwithaloadedgun · 17/12/2025 19:19

surreygirly · 17/12/2025 10:08

Which is exactly why I do not allow any of our staff to WFH

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Because you don't employ adults who can be trusted to do the job?

CandyColouredEggshells · 17/12/2025 21:23

GelatinousDynamo · 17/12/2025 09:57

Right? "I don't have time to work"... I hope your employer reads this. Either you work or you take time off, people should stop taking the piss. I see this with my colleagues as well, no one is in the office this week, and half of them can't be reached (all women btw).

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This is to you too @FlatWhiteExtraHot , comments like these used to make me feel defensive, now I feel sorry for you, more so for the people who work for you.

I predominantly wfh, in a very fast paced corporate job, there’s never any problems with my productivity and I suppose I’m quite lucky where I just have one of those brains where I’m good at documentation and can also give details of what I’m working on or updates from memory. Have I done errands or wrapped presents when I’m supposed to be working? Absolutely. I’ve also done work at 9pm and answered emails when on annual leave because I’m out but know the answer to the question so will just tap out a reply. Why? Because I’m happy to because there’s trust and flexibility.

When I returned from mat leave I got shoved in a different department to the one I’d left (different company to now) and there were times when I had very little to do and couldn’t understand why I couldn’t leave and be with my baby an hour early if I’d done all my required work for that day (never did obvs) but I did the absolute minimum in that role. Would never have gone above and beyond because all I was there was a set number of hours. Happy, trusted employees are happy ones.

CandyColouredEggshells · 17/12/2025 21:33

Eyeshadow · 17/12/2025 15:12

I don’t.
We’re not even allowed our phones on us.

If I did have my phone, it would be used for emergencies or answering important phone calls or messages - not for going on MNs or Xmas shopping.

Why are some people so addicted to their phones.
If you’re that desperate to go on it then use it at lunchtime.

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I used to work somewhere like this, que malicious compliance lmao, I had my phone off my desk but on loud incase of emergencies because I had a young child in nursery, and all my notifications on. I also tend to get a lot of cold calls. I had to stop and answer/check my phone alll day 😂

I genuinely don’t think I’m addicted to my phone, it’s just a necessary part of life. I do very much object to being micro managed and treated like a child tho.

FlatWhiteExtraHot · 18/12/2025 06:04

CandyColouredEggshells · 17/12/2025 21:23

This is to you too @FlatWhiteExtraHot , comments like these used to make me feel defensive, now I feel sorry for you, more so for the people who work for you.

I predominantly wfh, in a very fast paced corporate job, there’s never any problems with my productivity and I suppose I’m quite lucky where I just have one of those brains where I’m good at documentation and can also give details of what I’m working on or updates from memory. Have I done errands or wrapped presents when I’m supposed to be working? Absolutely. I’ve also done work at 9pm and answered emails when on annual leave because I’m out but know the answer to the question so will just tap out a reply. Why? Because I’m happy to because there’s trust and flexibility.

When I returned from mat leave I got shoved in a different department to the one I’d left (different company to now) and there were times when I had very little to do and couldn’t understand why I couldn’t leave and be with my baby an hour early if I’d done all my required work for that day (never did obvs) but I did the absolute minimum in that role. Would never have gone above and beyond because all I was there was a set number of hours. Happy, trusted employees are happy ones.

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You don’t need to worry about me as I don’t work. When I did, my career was in hospitality where you go to work and actually, you know, WORK. Being hourly paid does tend to concentrate one’s mind as if you’re not working you’re not getting paid.

It would be good to remember that not everyone, or even the majority of people, works in an office.

slashlover · 18/12/2025 06:29

Half of your list could have been done weeks ago.

DeftGoldHedgehog · 18/12/2025 07:28

Most of that you can do online in an hour at lunchtime or before you start work or after. I work full time in a senior role and did all my online shopping in November. I write about 60 Christmas cards and did the 25 to be posted first two weeks ago. I'm also writing a novel.

I do get feeling overwhelmed. Break your list down into smaller baby step tasks so it seems manageable. Now you've written down your home list, put that to one side until lunchtime or this evening.

Pick three work tasks to get done today and break them down into smaller actions if it still feels overwhelming. Do a "work sprint" - set a timer for half an hour. Tackle one of the three tasks. When the alarm goes off, get up and walk around for ten minutes, go for a wee, make a drink etc. Then repeat. After three, have a 20 minute walk, make brunch or other downtime.

Also keep repeating to yourself that you can do it and you've got this. Because you can and you have.

SweetnsourNZ · 18/12/2025 07:53

FlatWhiteExtraHot · 17/12/2025 09:43

There’s no wonder bosses want people back in the office if people who are working from home are getting paid to do their bloody Christmas prep 🙄.

They can do it in their lunch break though. With no commute it gives you more time. Some wfh is flexible too, so you can do a few things when no one is home and work later.

Usernamenotav · 18/12/2025 11:22

Literally same 😭

whittingtonmum · 19/12/2025 11:38

I think the hosting for 12 is were most of your stress comes in because it also means you don't get a break over Xmas, everything needs to look presentable etc

I personally think that hosting Xmas when you're working full time and have kids is simply not really achievable - unless you just want to have even more pressure and stress than in the normal day to day.

That's why it's only the four of us for Xmas and has been for years. Friends can pop round for a drink and a mince pie if they wish. I'd rather have people over any other time so the pressure is off.

DonicaLewinsky · 19/12/2025 11:44

FlatWhiteExtraHot · 17/12/2025 09:43

There’s no wonder bosses want people back in the office if people who are working from home are getting paid to do their bloody Christmas prep 🙄.

Famously nobody has ever done Christmas prep in the office on work time. I definitely didn't routinely used to do all my online shopping when nobody was watching. Maybe you were one of my bosses who didn't notice!

lolapops1 · 20/12/2025 20:43

Also full time, work up to and including Christmas Eve.
Not bothered with cards.
Bought presents last month & put them in gift bags.
Online grocery shop.
Surely some of your 12 should bring stuff to yours as you are hosting.

The forms can wait until after Christmas surely.
Dedicate a few hours to this task.

You can book hair apps online but hoping you are not expecting them before Christmas.

Write a list with most important to least important. I bet most of the things do not actually need doing.
Just need to plan better to stop the overwhelm.