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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dreading going back to work

151 replies

Sarah510 · 15/04/2020 11:25

Is anyone else dreading it? Had a meeting this morning and they are talking about re-opening in May. I don't want to go back - I love working from home! I have so much more time to myself, to do the things I love, plus I'm dreading the commute, and being crushed into trains again. Plus my job is just not that busy, so I do what I have to and then I'm "free", rather than sitting in an office pretending to be busy :( I'm scared. I know we all have to get "it" at some stage, (have no underlying conditions, am pretty healthy so I should be ok if I get it), but I don't want to get it

OP posts:
Original poster
Sarah510 · 15/04/2020 12:10

Am on my own in this then lol!

OP posts:
OOAOML · 15/04/2020 12:20

Yes me. I also feel that as I was in the group doing a week and a half in the office after others were working from home I will kick off if they put me on the list to go back in first (split team working). But I don't think we'll be back for a good while.

Also to be honest realising that my job is really unfulfilling and struggling to see its value but I do need to pay the mortgage so have to stick with it.

MamaGee09 · 15/04/2020 12:23

Maybe this is the chance for you to negotiate working from home a couple of days days week and in the office the rest, they can’t come back and say it doesn’t work because you have obviously been doin* it for the last few weeks,

shineaflight · 15/04/2020 12:28

I'd definitely be negotiating a WFH situation now they've seen how it works in action

mumonthenet2 · 15/04/2020 12:30

Is it possible you continue working from home?
For me
Actual job No
Workplace Politics Omg yes!
Also now they know I am high risk, the minds will be boggling.

edwinbear · 15/04/2020 12:32

I cannot wait to get back into the office. I miss work clothes, heels, make up, chatting with my lovely colleagues, Thursday night drinks and fish & chips in the work canteen on a Friday.

I'm totally done with supervising bored, under exercised, fighting DC whilst trying to tip toe around my sulky, miserable DH.

whereiscaroline · 15/04/2020 12:37

I'm with you. I feel like I've had a glimpse into what life should be like. More time, some actual quality of life.

No stressful commute with horrible drivers on the roads. No traffic jams, no wasted time. More energy. No office politics. No thinking about what to wear. No paying for coffee and lunch, or spending more of my limited evening time making a pack up as an alternative. Setting the room temperature just right for me and having the windows open and closed as I see fit.

More time with DS and Ddog. It's going to be miserable going back.

Pebble21uk · 15/04/2020 12:44

I work in a school - as does my partner... we're both asthmatic with a history of pneumonia. I'm dreading it.

Randomness12 · 15/04/2020 12:46

I think a lot of people will be feeling like this. I changed jobs from one where I had a lot of autonomy and was able to work at home a lot to one where it’s 5 days in the office every week. I don’t need to be there but the culture is such that I am.... I really hope organisations learn from this that it is possible and productive to have a better work life balance and a more agile workforce.

Not to mention the space that could be saved if we all shared hot desks as half the team are at home at any one time. Imagine if this could be given back to nature? Plus the reduction in commuting spend and pollution

OOAOML · 15/04/2020 12:49

I think it will be hard for a lot of places to say no to increased wfh.

LilacTree1 · 15/04/2020 12:52

I completely understand OP.

Theflushedzebra · 15/04/2020 12:55

Yanbu.

Can you make the case to your employers to WFH on a more permanent basis? Or maybe a few days a week?

Whatevah · 15/04/2020 12:58

I’m a nurse and have been working anyway. But our unit was closed and i have been in ICU and main theatre recovery.
Although it is awful that we are going through this and terrible to see people so i’ll, etc, I have loved the actual work. i feel guilty about it.
I’m dreading going back to my old unit, it’s so dull. I’ve never really liked the work but the people are lovely.
Now have decided I am definitely going to switch departments.

Tattiebee · 15/04/2020 12:59

I am looking forward to getting back into the office, but I left my job with a long commute a few years back, the drop in pay has definitely proven itself worthwhile; if I was still having to spend a chunk of the day travelling to work then no, I wouldn't be excited. I am on extended mat leave, but whilst our team can do the bare minimum at home, it's definitely not enough to be sustainable, we have always had the chance to do a day or two a week though, I think more employers might now be open to that. Working from home fully would have a lot of knock on effects, companies would streamline, there would be no geographical advantage so London weighting etc would no doubt be cut- or even jobs could go abroad if cheaper.

Echobelly · 15/04/2020 13:17

TBH I wish I could go back to work and at the moment! But I don't see how I can until Covid19 has ceased to be a risk (again it's not for me or my household, I'm not scared of getting it). My office is in central London and while I can imagine, with better understanding and risk management, testing and tracking they could maybe re-open the office this year, I don't see how they can possibly operate public transport safely to get people there and back.

I'm actually looking into getting a bike and re-learning to ride (I learned to ride, barely, in my late 20s, but haven't had a bike for 14 years) and somehow getting over my terror of riding near cars so that I might be able to work up to riding the 10 miles each way once or twice a week!

Echobelly · 15/04/2020 13:17

NB, I am working currently and can WFH, but I do like being in town during the week.

Raver84 · 15/04/2020 13:22

Dreading it. Looking busy. Dislike my colleagues. Office is filthy.

TheReluctantCountess · 15/04/2020 13:23

Me! My anxiety is so much better.

dottiedodah · 15/04/2020 13:29

Whatevah No need to feel guilty in the slightest bit! We are all grateful to you and the fact you have enjoyed it is by the by .Maybe as you say you can switch departments when you go back .The NHS is such a wonderful institution and we take it for granted .I was seriously ill with Septecimia a few years ago and the Nurses were absolutely terrific! Many thanks to you all (wanted to be a Nurse myself when younger ,but I dont think I would have been able to cope TBH)!

boylovesmeerkats · 15/04/2020 13:31

Nope, get me back to that office now! Wouldn't mind a day a week working from home but otherwise I want to go somewhere!

tontie · 15/04/2020 13:32

I want to go back but thankfully I have a tiny commute, 20min walk.

MamaBearLockdown · 15/04/2020 13:37

I am dreading it because nothing has changed!

What was the point of not going in the first place then?

AJPTaylor · 15/04/2020 13:39

I can't wait to get back to my job. Not least because I am on unpaid leave due to starting my new job in March
Cannot come soon enough. Just praying there is still a job.

Whatsername177 · 15/04/2020 13:39

I'm a teacher. I can't wait to go back.

managedmis · 15/04/2020 13:40

Same here

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