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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if “wfh” for you consists of doing nothing

131 replies

Azaelia · 31/03/2020 14:53

Right I know there’s people who would love to be in this position so I’m not complaining, but I’ve been working from home since last Monday along with the rest of my team. Work has totally dried up yet we are required to log on for 8 hours each day as usual. For now we have been told to “file emails” and this has only taken about ten minutes to do! I’m not sure why we haven’t been “furloughed”. I’m currently drinking a gin and tonic and watching Hayu with my laptop propped up on my knees!!! Is anyone else in this position?

OP posts:
drspouse · 31/03/2020 15:57

I have two DCs, one with SEN, and colleagues setting up Teams and Zoom meetings every 5 minutes without telling me what they are for or if I have to attend. So I don't (especially when I have two at the same time).

I ALSO have people contacting me every 5 minutes wanting me to set them up on the electronic version of a resource I created, not knowing it would go live right now, because THEY are at home bored because they DON'T have two DCs at home.

otterturk · 31/03/2020 15:57

Come Dine With Me won't watch itself!

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 31/03/2020 16:03

Really busy here with online teaching. Everything is taking far longer remotely. I had a student throw a tantrum earlier because he didn't understand feedback he had been given - if I had given him the feedback face to face we could have discussed it easily. His strop made me feel really upset, but to give him his due he sent me an email shortly after, apologising and saying I was doing a great job which was really kind.

I feel anxious all the time that I'm not doing the right thing. Because this happened so quickly that there wasn't time for any real training on any of the systems we're using, and I'm just muddling away doing the best I can.

thunderthighsohwoe · 31/03/2020 16:04

I’m a teacher with a 16 month old at home, trying to ‘teach’ remotely. It’s a challenge I’ve never experienced before 😬

JustTurtlesAllTheWayDown · 31/03/2020 16:04

No. I've been super busy. I'm exhausted.

thecatschampagne · 31/03/2020 16:05

I'm ticking over, but working from the kitchen table and I've had plenty of time to clean and reorganise the cupboards...

Lawyer DH is still very busy, working until 9/10 as usual.

@mindutopia how do we prepare/brace when we don't know what's coming next?

NotGenerationAlpha · 31/03/2020 16:09

I'm really busy and but all my work is computer based and as long as we can connect to the corporate network, the actual work itself is no different. What's changed is the team atmosphere you get in the office.

AmICrazyorWhat2 · 31/03/2020 16:10

I've been busy some days but things are drying up now. I'm a consultant so that means no money. Sad Luckily DH is WFH full-time so I'm concentrating on the children and doing things around the house.

Except, I feel shit today and wondering whether I've picked something up. As long as it's not COVID-19!

IdblowJonSnow · 31/03/2020 16:11

Lucky you. Sounds like a good position to be in.

MintyMabel · 31/03/2020 16:18

Not for me. Today has been quiet except for a couple of two hour video calls where I had little input, but most days I’ve plenty to keep me busy.

Sunshinedelight123 · 31/03/2020 16:18

I'm also wfh full time. It's not manic but there's also plenty for me to be doing.

I work in finance so markets are very busy right now so that's keeping us busy (I'm more back office though).

I tend to work up at my dining room tale in the morning then after lunch time I sit on the sofa, still working, but also have Netflix on.

BeijingBikini · 31/03/2020 16:18

Work for a travel company so fuck all to do for last few weeks. Been officially furloughed now.

I struggle with WFH at the best of times, I get my work done in the other 4 days a week usually as can't focus at home.

Devlesko · 31/03/2020 16:19

Lucky you, I'd love a job like that.

CliveyBaby · 31/03/2020 16:19

I'm a researcher in a university and its basically the same as usual for me!
There's a part of our project that's kind of on hold (making measurements in the field) but the rest is more theoretical /simulation based so we're just working on that. I'm still (just) in my probation period so trying really hard to be productive! Although I'm not commuting hours each day so lots of extra time there!

Home42 · 31/03/2020 16:20

Oh god I wish!! I wfh normally anyway but I lost all my childcare and dog walking due to coronavirus. I’m a single parent with a hugely busy executive job. I’m desperately trying to juggle entertaining the kid a bit, making sure the dog gets his walk (or he is a pain) and do my normally full time+ busy job. It’s not working for anyone, I’m exhausted, the dog is fed up, the kid is bored and I’m working every evening to just stay above water.

Enjoy your peace and quiet knowing it could be way way more shitty!!

Imafarmerama · 31/03/2020 16:21

I’m pretty sure that’s what my estate agent is doing too!

Enjoy it while you can op

QuantumWeatherButterfly · 31/03/2020 16:21

I wish it was like that for me. Work is extremely challenging at the moment (not at all coronavirus related, just really, really bad timing), and I'm set up to work from home anyway, so it is mostly all possible. What I am not set up for is attempting to entertain/homeschool a reception age child as well, which, coupled with the higher than usual workload, is stressing me out to the extent I feel permanently sick and anxious. There has been absolutely no allowance made for this situation in terms of deadlines or workload. It's horrible, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone - enjoy your gin, OP, I wish it was me!

LochJessMonster · 31/03/2020 16:22

Me! I do about 30minutes-hour work a day on average.

Sometimes I do literally nothing- log on, delete irrelevant emails, check throughout the day, nothing comes in, nothing to do.

I’m trying to make the most of my time by exercising, tidying but mostly just watch tele.
It’s boring but I’d rather be like this than busy. Plus I’m on full time pay so can’t complain.

Confuzzlediddled · 31/03/2020 16:22

We're both working from home, me in the spare room, dh on the dining table.

Fortunately my work can be done remotely and thanks to twice daily catch ups im seeing more of my team than i normally would when we're all in different offices!

A large part of my role is now keeping my team safe (we're key workers in the waste water industry) and looking after the mental health of those who are working from home, some of whom live alone too

EerieSilence · 31/03/2020 16:24

I work more than usual, longer than usual, more intense than usual.

SummerHouse · 31/03/2020 16:26

My day yesterday was working from 7am to 10.30pm intermittently between house, kids and WiFi cut outs. I probably did over my hours as lots of additional requirements in my job. Thank God I am part time!

Redredwine99 · 31/03/2020 16:27

I wish, very busy but can only work early morning and evenings on laptop as husband needs it during normal working hours plus I have to home school primary school aged children. It’s going to be really tough

BeijingBikini · 31/03/2020 16:28

*Me! I do about 30minutes-hour work a day on average.

Sometimes I do literally nothing- log on, delete irrelevant emails, check throughout the day, nothing comes in, nothing to do.

I’m trying to make the most of my time by exercising, tidying but mostly just watch tele.
It’s boring but I’d rather be like this than busy. Plus I’m on full time pay so can’t complain.*

Every single job I've had, I've had several months of this! I don't know if I'm super fast at doing work or the companies are just really inefficient, but every week I say to my line manager "I don't have anything to work on" and they're like oh OK, we'll find something. Then either they don't, or they find something that takes a couple of days then nothing to do again.

Worst of all is everyone else is busy so you don't want to shout too loudly about it. Every single job! I prefer being busy but never happens for very long...

I'm genuinely thinking of signing up for teacher training once this pandemic is all over

CarolineIngalls · 31/03/2020 16:29

So much work to cram into a few hours a day when I alternate with DH.

Workload made harder because people without kids are bored and inventing make-work. This is not the time for a new "strategy" that needs a series of meetings.

If line managers need meetings so they feel they justify their salaries, they can sort the fucking "strategy" on their own. But I can't say that with my real name.

Elisebev · 31/03/2020 16:29

I’m officially working from home but struggling. I’ve theoretically been working from home for two weeks now. Did the first couple of days it was fine. I could do my normal work. However since day 3 my laptop has refused to connect to the network. Company refused to do anything to sort it out whilst they had the chance). I was home a few days before 90% of the office due to health issues making me at risk). I have a bit of work I can do offline but it won’t last long and I’m unable to access skype, email etc so even the work I am doing is a bit pointless as it can’t be sent to anyone.