AIBU to think no one will want to go back to work

[shamelesschocaholic]

Just that really, a high percentage of people are either working from home or getting paid 80% + of their wages to stay at home.

Those working from home have no commute anymore and having spent several weeks working from home it’s not as hard as being at office especially as have to make compensations for fact looking after 2 kids. Those on furlough are literally on holiday. Call me cynical but I wonder how many of those shouting loudest not to lift lockdown are just enjoying being at home?

I don’t want to offend anyone, I’m sure this doesn’t apply to everyone but I bet it does to a lot. So come on peeps be honest!

I don't want to go back to a building with shared lifts for nearly 2000 people right now. Nor do I miss my commute nor want to be in a packed train carriage. But I miss my colleagues. I miss leaving the house. I miss working without having to keep half an eye on homeschooling.

I'm working from home and shielding.

When I can I will be skipping into that office.

My job is secure. They can't do without our department.

I'm so keen to go back. I am sick of my house.

Oh, and our office will be broadly shut for the rest of the year.

I'd love to go back to work. My commute was only 20mins, comfortable workplace and my colleagues are my friends. I've been working the whole time, in a different role, around 2 demanding young dc one of whom has ASD and can't entertain herself. Not been getting much homeschool done- work is a priority.

However I am grateful dh and I are both able to wfh. No furlough or risk of losing jobs. No loss of income. Life is simpler but harder with us all at home, but we are lucky we are safe and healthy.

Yup another key worker who hasn’t stopped working and who’s dc have attended a hub school who don’t teach only offer childcare so absolutely no schooling for my dc.
Idea also like 6 weeks off at 80% please.

I think you’re right OP. I also think unfortunately a lot of people will find they won’t have a job to go back to.

Everyone I know who is furloughed is incredibly anxious about the future of their jobs and the economy. They aren’t complaining about being bored or seeing this as a holiday. They are quite scared

One of my friends who was furloughed has been found different work in the company so has come off furlough and she is delighted

I am really looking forward to returning to my (part time) job, I love what I do, I already had a good work/life balance and I don’t want to be at home all the time .... and a lot of my colleagues feel the same. Being furloughed is not as great as it sounds for everyone. I genuinely feel that I am being paid to do ‘nothing’ ... I have no health concerns, no children to home educate, I do volunteer as much as I can .... and I want to get back to doing something constructive.

If more people can work from home at least some of the time, hours become more flexible etc, that's got to be a good thing, surely? For the environment, employee stress levels, work-life balance and (hopefully) productivity, if it's done right. Big if, though.

My team hasn't been wfh but have been doing reduced days to keep space between us. It is going to be a bit of a wrench now we're easing back to full time but, to be fair, it's what we're paid for, and we are properly grateful for that.

I am wanting to go back to work. I want DD back in nursery however she won’t be going back in June and I’m not convinced by the numbers as of yet.
I’m not saving childcare fees as I’m choosing to still pay for nursery as I’m still being paid.

I’m on furlough. My physical health has declined massively by not getting out the house and the restrictions placed on me to shield. I can assure you this is no holiday for me

@Crikey0000 spot on!
I'm also sick of seeing Facebook posts about 'Life is good'. Actually right now it's not really. I'm working harder than ever and I haven't got time to spare.

The furloughed are not literally on holiday, it's closer to gardening leave. Whilst some have been furloughed who perhaps didn't need to be, being furloughed means your job is at risk.

Many are having to work from home without a proper setup and childcare, it's not an enjoyable experience for a lot of workers.

That said, I do think there's a minority who are shouting loudly about risks when perhaps there is an element of not wanting to return to work.

When the financial support ends, a lot of that noise will too.

I miss working in my classroom with the kids. It's half term this week, but I've volunteered to do an extra day to cover the extra numbers they need one day.

Ermmm have to assume you're a little hard of thinking OP.

No one who is working from home with children present is ending the day saying 'gosh what a relaxing and easy day I've had today'.

My employers are being great, we're WFH and have the flexibility to shift hours around to accommodate childcare....but....

All the work still needs to be done. It's just now instead of 9-5 it's more like

• 5.30-8am, pause for breakfast,
• 8.30 - 10am, pause for worksheets and stopping a tantrum,
• 11-12.30pm, pause for lunch,
• 1pm- 3pm, pause for pretending to be a baby dog who's missing it's mummy and needs a trip to the vets but is sad about it while also excited about riding in the car,
• 4pm-5.30pm, pause for dinner, bath, bed,
• 7.30pm - 10.30pm.

Stop to sleep then wake up and start it all over again, occasionally looking at the sea of toys covering the floor and wondering when you'll ever get the time to shop for food.

I’m furloughed at the moment and lockdown has taught me that I bloody love my job and I can’t wait to go back. I like being ‘busy’ and have found it very challenging being stuck at home and having to motivate my 8 and 5 year olds to do their home learning (5 yr old especially is a reluctant learner).

I hate working from home!

Everyone I know who is furloughed (arts & hospitality) is desperate to go back & terrified of not being about to :(

I go in to the office. It's about 15% full.

Gah ... not being able to.

Dh is still working but from home & there’s no chance he’ll be back in the office in 2020 - he really misses the office & his colleagues.

I'm furloughed I think the lockdown needs to end now and desperate to go back to work and for dc to go back to school.

I haven't seen anybody 'shouting' or even asking for lockdown to stay. I've seen many people calling for the same simple measures other countries have taken. So that we can more safely ease lockdown with less risk to the economy and lives.

And so that we really can end lockdown. Rather than prolong the agony with ongoing semi lockdown and/or economically and psychologically damaging stop, start, stop, start.

We could've been ready by now.

I’m doing my normal 9-5 at the kitchen table. I like having a longer lie in the morning, but miss my usual 30 minute walk to and from work. I miss my colleagues, and having access to everything I need, but I like being able to have the radio on. I have a permanent sore back because the set up isn’t really ideal, and the cat keeps sitting on my laptop if I get up for five minutes.

We were never allowed to work from home - I’m a lecturer - and I hope going forward we will be trusted a bit more.

My job was 80% working from home. I've been furloughed on the equivalent of 50% of my previous salary. My role is at risk of redundancy.

Instead of WFH in a peaceful house I'm not working whilst the house is full of DH, DC and noise.

It's shit.

So yes, I want to be back working. Yes, I am being paid for effectively doing nothing but it's a significant salary cut and there is a point when cleaning, cooking, gardening and reading my book loses its appeal.

To the outside world I'm sure it looks like an easy life but I desperately want to be working and suspect that there are a lot of people in my position.

I am longing to go back to work. My days have no structure, I'm becoming unfit and lazy and depressed, and I'm self employed i.e bloody skint. This should be the start of my busiest time and the weather is beautiful, so I'd be making lots of money.