Colleagues ignored WFH advice now stranded in heatwave - karma.

[Loveaghost]

I work in a big office in central London. Everyone lives in lots of different places obviously, but almost everyone is a significant train/ tube ride away.

Due to the heatwave our work told us to WFH where possible. But my most senior manager loves a bit of presenteeism. Hence a number of people (ie all the suck arses) came in. And, then proceeded to post/ message incessantly on internal comms demonstrating that they were in the office. Highly tiresome presenteeism considering ALL our calls were moved to Teams on our clients’ insistence.

Fast forward a few hours and ALL the tubes are fucked. As are almost all the trains. No-one can get home and they’re panicking at facing down 2-3hr bus journeys in 39 degree heat.

Serves them right for travelling against the advice of the health agency, government, TFL and the company. There was a do not travel unless essential instruction.

Of course, senior boss is alright. He got a company cab home…

Up until very recently I would have had to have come in the office or I wouldn't be able to work - think noisy flatmates, top floors of ancient buildings with no AC, shitty internet, or a teeny tiny flat where my DH (who WFH all the time) has the use of the only real desk space.

Not everyone has a nice, comfortable home to work in.

I went into the office for the AC and will be tomorrow as well. But I’m not London.

OP posted at 17.45 so likely finished her working hours.

If people just went in to be performative, and ass kiss, well yeah fuck em.

If people went in for air con, or to get away from a difficult situation at home etc, I do feel sorry for them.

It’s knowing who is in which category that is difficult!

I really can’t understand how @Loveaghost thought shed get support from being excited and gleeful that in this “threat to life” situation, that some of her colleagues are now stuck and at risk.. quite psychotic really, the excitement that they could get hurt or injured.

I don't think I misunderstood you. You pointing out that people can have a range of reasons for going into the office that don't have anything to do with being suck up.

Well yes! Duh! I never suggested that people who did choose to come in were all suck ups!

Well it was deleted your post @EarthSight

Even OP said they have a manager who's hot on presenteeism and creates this pressure.

Some people went into the office because that's what they thought they had to do to stay in favour. OP hates presenteeism but says nothing and does nothing to improve the working culture because that's what he thinks he has to do to stay in favour. But he thinks he's superior.

You sound a bit mean tbh op.

We all have the option to wfh this week too, but I chose to go into the office purely for the air con. My house is an oven.

Maybe don’t be so quick to judge and delight in others’ misery.

Is it possible that not evrybody was comfortable at home? Of course it is. I know that I'd rather go into office there are 30 degrees now in my house and I wasn't good for anything. If I had to work I'd definetly go into the air con office even though I drive an hour to get there. And if you were a senior director you wouldn't give a hoot about coleagues suking up to boss so there is no way I believe that.

What does 'lime into the office' mean?

Lime bike

Exactly. @roses2 comment makes zero sense.

Ah, thank you. Never heard of it. And when I Googled 'liming into the office' Google didn't have a clue what I was on about! 😆

Agree with this. There are lots of reasons people might go into the office. They might feel intimidated by the manager and less secure in the jobs. They might live in flats that are hotter than the office. They might not have a suitable place to WFH. To gloat about the fact that they are at least experiencing serious discomfort and at worst getting quite ill just from trying to earn a living is awful.

I get your opinion but as manager myself of a big team (98) I would have not let them come in at all unless home wasn't air conditioned and they needed to. If it was a good hardworking individual I will often tell them to take in leu the afternoon for work they have done (if they have).i

The presenteeism issue is actually a massive issue for women with children. I’ve seen lots of men (and younger women) who yap all morning then stay late to do the actual work. One even admitted to me that he stays back to miss bedtime. These are professional men who come across as modern and quite left leaning.

I stamped it out immediately in my team. When I’m in I round them up and get them out. For WFH I keep my eye on the greens and tap a little message ‘come on, I’m going you need to’ and unless they do have a specific deadline or they have nipped out and are making the time up for something they have done I make sure they can go.

Productivity, engagement and loyalty is through the roof on the independent staff surveys.

Shite management this! No wonder she sounds a bit bitter!

I'm going in tomorrow for the aircon - my flat is boiling, the heat buggers up my internet and I got very little done yesterday and today. Luckily I can take the bus or walk in 50 minutes.

My ds went to the office today and then came back after his work social. He had a great day 😊

I guess we are all different.

😂😂

You’re not that pleasant yourself dear.

Maybe pour a few more vodkas, might help you

Wow. You edited to add that. I’ve read this thread and it’s one of the most spiteful ones I’ve seen on here and that’s saying something. Not from the OP btw. She’s defended herself remarkably then quite rightly not bothered engaging any further.

Criticising the OP for being spiteful and then posting this… ironic.

Hmmm let me think…..
stay at home and work in a room at 27 degrees +
or go to a cool office with ice cold drinks on tap.
no brainer and I’m in London.

It’s been a case of bullying the OP really. Just because people are hot and bothered and bored. It’s a shame because mumsnet is such a source of hive wisdom and advice. But it has the potential for an ugly pile on - this is one of those times,

Lots of people had no choice but to go to work and they got stuck in all this too. I don’t wish that on anyone.

Really? I got two tubes at 6.30pm and they were completely fine. Severe delays on the tube doenst mean they aren’t coming, it often just means you wait 5
mons instead of 1.

I went in because I wanted the air con! Also my work didn’t say we didn’t have to, because why would they?!