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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

203 replies

shamelesschocaholic · 24/05/2020 23:04

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!

OP posts:
BoujiSnail · 24/05/2020 23:39

I think a lot of people are in denial that there may be a small selfish reason for their reluctance to return to work. My friend is a healthy woman in her late twenties, moaning that she has to return to her coffee shop job at the start of June. The likelihood is that if she gets Covid she'll be fine. I think she just wants to stay at home on 80% pay.

OculusThrift · 24/05/2020 23:42

DH is furloughed and cant wait to go back to work.
I am shielding and hate the fact I can't work. I really miss my job.

tillyandmilly · 24/05/2020 23:43

I am on furlough - happy to be at home as have a bully of a boss so don't want to go back !

Silenceisnotgolden · 24/05/2020 23:44

I love being at home. Working from home (and yes, I AM working bloody hard) whilst home schooling young children is still preferable to the drudgery of long days, an ungrateful line manager, stressful commutes and juggling childcare. I wish I never had to go back.

Babyroobs · 24/05/2020 23:44

It's nice to be able to roll out of bed at 8.15 with no commute, walk the dog in my lunchbreak etc but I don't feel as productive working from home and would like to get back to the office. I'm resigned to the idea that this is no going to happen soon though as there are about ten of us in a small office so only two at a time will be able to go back and as my dh is shielding I will likely be one of the last.

panicstationsready · 24/05/2020 23:47

I am loving WAH - I was able to do so before the virus, and I really hope that I can continue almost full time when it is back to normal. Mainly because I get 2 hours of my life back without a commute. I am currently exercising every day which I can't make time for in normal life I don't have the energy - and I know it is a self perpetuating situation. I also get waaay more work done at home as I have no distractions, no one to chat to in the office mainly.

copperoliver · 24/05/2020 23:50

I don't want to go back. X

knickerthief1 · 24/05/2020 23:51

I'm loving WFH and really don't want to me or my husband to go back to 'normal' life. I'm hoping work life going forward will involve more wfh even though I'd say I'm actually working longer hours than I did at work! There are definitely a lot of people on furlough that I know who are loving life - and 54% at time of writing agree with you OP - obviously they're keeping quiet on this thread.

Redwinestillfine · 24/05/2020 23:51

I worked from home before lockdown. My world just got a lot busier. I thought I would really miss my 'me time' but I actually enjoy having them all home.

AuntyRigsby · 24/05/2020 23:53

I suspect attitudes will change once the tsunami of redundancies arrives.

saleorbouy · 24/05/2020 23:54

My DC's will not want me to go back to work. This is the longest continuous period i have ever been with them. Normally I'm away 6mths of the year on a 3wk on off basis. So far this year due to the way my shift rota worked out I have only worked 31days. At this rate I'll have to retrain for my position of responsibility Grin. Am I looking forward to going back.... not really, will I? Of course yes.
Suppose now I'm finally getting something in return for all those years of tax payments as furlough salary. Let's hope commerce can restart soon.

PerspicaciaTick · 24/05/2020 23:55

I haven't stopped working,in fact my job has been harder and required longer hours, but I have been working from home. I can't see that there is any particular reason for me to start working in the office again, may be a day or two a week but that would be because it is socially useful not because office-based working is more effective or productive.

Original poster
shamelesschocaholic · 24/05/2020 23:55

Iving-hot lines wth! That’s going to make for great work environment.

Ok guys I’ll admit when I’m wrong!!

OP posts:
coronabeer23 · 24/05/2020 23:55

You’re joking right?

I am not furloughed. I start work at 8 and from 9.30 until I am usually in back to back soon meetings. When I have 2 minutes between meetings I set my 10 year old up woth his next homeschool lesson. I then have lunch quickly and carry on until 5.30 and check emails in the evening. I can’t wait till I get back to the office. Don’t miss the commute but wfh with kids is a killer

NellMangel · 24/05/2020 23:58

I really dont want to return to the office. I am loving working from home. I have 5yo at home too, we are both loving it!

Ariela · 25/05/2020 00:02

I'm part back, part wfh, to be honest not a lot has changed, as I go to the office when I do the horses as work is nearby and that's only a 10-12 minute drive (actually less traffic so probably quicker than that) - but we're still busy, busier than ever really. I have taken to bringing stuff home and doing more at home so as to leave more room at the office for everyone else to distance - we all have dropped a few days in the office so when you go in there's only 1 or 2 others about.
I actually prefer the office as it's quieter than home - we're right by a busy walking route so it's noisy and full of people dogs and cyclists, and some horses. Getting a bit annoyed with the ones that let their dog poo on the lawn, shouted at one out of the window the other day as they walked off pretending they didn't see it and made them pick it up.

SpiritEssence · 25/05/2020 00:05

I'd rather be at home then getting daily abuse from customers and putting my health at risk all for the sake of working kn a supermarket. I know one thing I'm going to leave retail and get a better job soon. Already been shortlisted for a job and a telephone interview next week. Smile

Gwenhwyfar · 25/05/2020 00:05

"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 "

I HATE working from home as do all my colleagues, including the ones with kids. We're all keen to get back to work as far as I know.

Miljea · 25/05/2020 00:06

More or less all of my friends are WFH or furloughed (most from well paid jobs).

None have primary DC under 16, which is probably a biggie, but all of them are preferring it to office life!

I'm coalface NHS so no chance of furlough or WFH for me! I am a bit jealous of some of my friends, tho- but few, if any, are in danger of redundancy, which makes a difference.

Judiwench · 25/05/2020 00:09

I'm working from home and missing the office massively. No kids, feel very isolated.

dicksplash · 25/05/2020 00:11

We are both working from home with two pre teens and actually loving it. Lock down can carry on for me.

However I feel for everyone not working and not getting paid so recognise this has to end.

nanbread · 25/05/2020 00:14

I don't want to go back to work in the office until I know the DC are settled at school - I'll need the flexibility until then.

DC2 starts primary in September and won't even get to meet his teacher or see his classroom before he starts. We use breakfast and after school clubs and I was ok with that knowing his sibling would be there, but now I worry they will be segregated by age.

SushiGo · 25/05/2020 00:23

I'm glad you've seen the light.

I'm bloody shattered! Can't wait to go back to true, proper normal, whenever that is.

Sparklesocks · 25/05/2020 00:23

Well most people don’t want to work at the best of times. Yes there are a percentage of people who love their jobs, but most people work to live rather than the other way round. We work to pay for life.

Of course it’ll be hard to go back to work after an absence, ask anyone who comes back from maternity leave, or even a long holiday!
But people will work when they have to. As they always have, because not starving to death always trumps the annoyance of going back to your job.

DianaT1969 · 25/05/2020 00:31

I'm a freelancer with no work as the sector was closed down. I fell through the benefit gap, so I'd love to go back to work.
I know around 5 people on furlough. They are from 2 companies and all likely to be made redundant at the end of May.
All my other friends and family have worked throughout this. Mixture of office and home, but more challenging.