to think a lot of people are going to look for any excuse not to go back into work when restrictions start to be lifted?

[wakeupitsabeautifulmorning]

Already seeing it on a few threads this morning. I think a lot of people have quite enjoyed being off work and will try their best not to rush back. Or am I being sceptical?

I also feel very lucky we're both still in FT jobs which are relatively secure.

Really worried about all those who are out of work and what will happen with the economy.

From what I've been reading a lot of people are scared of a second wave which I do think will happen as it's happening in other countries.

I think some are lazy but a lot are scared. I've being working all through but my dp has been wfh and I have realised he has become scared. Think being isolated it has not being helpful for many and has ramped up their fears while those who are working as before have faced any fears and managing them

I had an online work drink last week about 50 colleagues.

Clear divide between those loving it (who identified themselves as introverts but I think the personality types are not as clear cut as that!) and people who were missing being out.

We have sealed glass panes and a forced air flow system in our office so it would be like sitting in an aeroplane for 8 hours. I’m in the vulnerable group, so I’ll be saying no thanks, I’ll link in with my colleagues via technology as I have been doing for 7 weeks now, I’ll wait for the 2nd wave to be over. Reasonably practical is the test before employers insist on a return to the workplace. Start honing your risk assessment skills now folks

I am one of the MNers working from home- and working much harder in consequence: I reckon it takes me nearly twice as long to get things done here and my job isn't the kind where you can either claim overtime or knock off before the job is done.
I would still worry about having to go to work, having to travel on public transport, share space with lots of people.
My dd had a virus last year, probably some ordinary flu virus, but it took away her ability to walk and speak, and it was nearly a year before she got back to normal: you can see how good I would feel about possibly bringing contagion back home.

I haven’t stopped...I’m either in my classroom teaching ‘on the rota’ or teaching online/preparing work to be sent home ‘from home’. But honestly, I can’t wait to get back to some semblance of normality, as this is actually testing me...😰 I’m working longer hours, doing stuff I’ve not got the skills or expertise to do (technically I mean...I’m not great at technology and struggling with the online remote learning stuff, if I’m honest, but trying my best and muddling through, by spending many fraught hours late into the evening googling how to get to working 😳) We just do what we can 🤷‍♀️

The most concerned that I've seen on my social media, appear to be teachers, or parents of children that are off school for the slightest reason. Ironically a few tagged themselves in pubs and city centre bars the weekend prior to lockdown, whilst shouting on social media that schools should be closed.

Some people self isolated and called in sick very early, lots of people and businesses are also manipulating the current situation to suit their own needs. What can you do?

I have had a full working day at home each weekday. I hardly ever used to work from home beforehand. As long as I can get out for a walk each day and do shopping when needed, I've found it quite enjoyable. I talk to colleagues every day for one reason or another, so have not lost social contact. I would be happy to continue until the clocks go back in the autumn, and not have to cope with the tube until then.

No children though, I'm sure I'd feel differently if I did have them.

My bag is packed and waiting by the door (a bit like a maternity bag for the hospital dash ). As soon as I get the remotest inkling that our offices are open again, I'm out the friggin door. I cannot WAIT to get back to work.

So, for me: yep, you're being sceptical.

Some people are frightened and understandably so. Some have got so used to not working that going back will feel alien and weird. Some people seriously hate their jobs and all this time away from them will make it really difficult to go back to work.

Most people, as far as I can tell, really want to get back to work and have some structure back in their lives and leave behind this whole bloody lockdown. Some of them are the frightened ones. I really don't think that A Lot of people are enjoying this time off at all. Some likely are, but most likely aren't.

What constitutes ‘any excuse’?

I am happy to still be working. I'm a teaching assistant but at work to help look after the key workers children. It actually fries my brain though when I think of how social distancing can be enforced in a school environment.

Who knows when ? I would like to get back but being in a job where social distancing is impossible, being over 70 and with an immunosuppressant DH at home, they may just tell me not to come back !

@MarshaBradyo

Are you a writer for Line Of Duty by any chance?

I'm not remotely afraid of the virus.

My public transport was half empty the 2-3 weeks before lockdown started. I suspect my offices won't be allowed to reopen, though, and I can't be moving all my equipment back and forth every day.

We’ve always known that the aim is not to stop everyone from getting the virus but to slow the spread so that the NHS can cope. Apart from those 70+ and those with underlying conditions people will be able to go to work, people cannot expect to stay at home for a couple of years and wait for a vaccine.

I think there are going to be a lot of people refusing to send their kids back to school, and this will (maybe conveniently) be a reason not to go back to work.

I use the tube for work into the city and our company said WFH only the week the pubs shut.

Also was out dancing in a crowded bar the week before the pubs closed and went to a big club as well for a night out which wasn't as busy as usual but still people dancing chose etc

DH works on public transport in London as well.

Plus kids at school till the last minute.

I can't see that we haven't been exposed tbh. And my attitude to risk is quite lax (for myself not for others) so I'm not really fussed. No underlying health probs, only 44.

We are staying in to protect the vulnerable which is fine and I am abiding by it.

However, I miss going out,. I miss going into town seeing workmates, meeting friends for lunch etc.

This lifestyle is not good for me or my MH I'm not s self starter and have had issues in the past.

So no, I can't wait to get back.

I think there are going to be a lot of people refusing to send their kids back to school, and this will (maybe conveniently) be a reason not to go back to work I agree - but I hope it’s not a reason to stop kids going back to school. The reason to return kids to school or not should be about science and risk not fear and political favour. And I see a lot of fear on these boards atm - I’m not sure it’s based on science but I’m open to be enlightened.

I am also surprised at the level of fear.

Outlier deaths seem to be always reported. (understandably that's what the news does) but for young healthy people it's not a big deal the vast majority of the time, especially children.

Keeping kids at home long time will have massive negative effects in terms of education, health, psychological.

I really feel for teens, as it's natural to want to distance from parents and see your friends etc. Normal part of growing up. It's just not good to be so isolated.

The government had to scare people to get them to buy into lockdown. But they went a bit far maybe. Lots of people not going to hosp when they need to. People who are in young families thinking they are staying in so they don't get it. No, we're staying in so it doesn't spread too fast for NHS to cope, to protect the vulnerable. This does not seem generally understood though. It's a worry.

must admit i find this talk of (some) people not being productive / skiving while wfh really unhelpful. i am working from home as best as i can, not in normal circumstances but through a crisis. i am anxious, stressed, not sleeping particularly well. i am worried about my elderly parents, an asthmatic daughter living 200 miles away in a bed sit on her own and another daughter who is supposed to be starting at cambridge in september but who knows? if i was under this amount of stress normally i would probably be signed off by my doctor as it is i am trying to hold it together and do the best i can. i’ve also been moved to another role that has become business critical due to covid with very minimal training that had to be delivered via skype so am 100% out of my comfort zone. surely we should be cutting ourselves and others some slack?
i was reading something about how human brains if they are dealing with a real and present danger (even unconsciously) become much less able to focus on planning and strategic thinking. it’s not about being lazy or looking for an excuse to skive.

@allywill I totally agree with you. Please try to ignore those who post horrible comments. There are some people who are just incredibly horrible, and some of them post on MN.

@DecadentDeity My kids are not going back until it is safe to do so. That will be based on evidence, but not the cherry picking of science that the government do.