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…

Can you not read? There are replacement bus services on.

Id have laughed if it was funny tbh.

🥴

I mean, it's not funny as in a hilarious joke, just funny as in "ha, serves you right for being daft doesn't it"?

If you are a senior director @Loveaghost drop those poor folk a message and tell them to go grab a beer with their colleagues and send you the bill 👍 thats what I would do (MD of a SaaS company)

Horrible post. Why not live and let live?

I went into work for the aircon. Many did in my place even though it was left to personal choice.

So now she's thrilled her colleagues will have to travel on buses that yesterday were recording temps of 50 degrees. She really is a peach.

But the top boss was in with them, right? The person who should set the example for others. It’s very poor leadership, and if I were a senior manager there I would pass that feedback upwards because their example has led to your colleagues being in this situation (although I suspect an unhealthy work culture would make that difficult to say).

I mean, I don’t actually say these things at work. I reserve it for an anonymous forum like MN. It’s good to get it off my chest!

And I actually get on really well with said senior boss. I just ignore his presenteeism wants and do great work!

My dog gave your ghost-dog a 👍

Although pretend the thumb isnt there cos, you know, she hasnt got thumbs.

Why dont you challenge the culture you feel is so wrong when in a SLT or EXEC meeting with your colleague??

Op wishes…

No.

The claim of being a senior director was quite funny though.

We’re waiting for the joke. Preferably a funny one.
Haven’t heard it yet.

Exactly. What is happening here these days 🤯

I think the heat is making everyone grumpy

Have you just learned the word 'presenteeism' for the first time today?

You've typed it so often it's starting to lose its meaning.

These 5-6 people are not my direct reports. I don’t manage them. If I did I would have told them not to come in more clearly.

Have you heard what the OP's job is?

Is everyone fully set up to WFH? Even in some offices that routinely OFFER fully remote, hybrid, and ad hoc telecommuting, not everyone is equipped to do it on short notice (or at all). Some people may be working around a telecommuting spouse, young children, construction noise, dodgy home internet/outages, etc. and that might play a factor in addition to the possibility of being "suck arses".

Danger to life??!
Stop it, op. You’re making yourself sound even more ridiculous than you did when you claimed to be a senior director.
That at least was funny.

I had the option to work in my lovely air conditioned office in central London today. I jumped at the chance. I’m now traveling home on my very much on time train which is also rather cool. I’m definitely not in your sector so you’re not aiming your post at me, but I’ve had a really pleasant day and I’m really happy with my choice.

Imagine being gleeful because of this?

Fucking horrible.

Domestic violence
Lack of money for gas/electric
Anti-social neighbours
Tiny, cramped living conditions

Just a few reasons why those 5 - 6 people may have gone into the office.

But I suppose you're going to tell us it's not the case for any of them 🙄

Have you looked at the news?