Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Devaki · 25/05/2020 08:29

The people I know who are furloughed can’t wait to get back to work. People are struggling on their reduced wage! Many people rely on their bonuses.

fessmess · 25/05/2020 08:33

I am furloughed and don't want to go back. In fact as I work in hospitality I expected a long wait but heard it could be in two weeks(to get ready for July.) It was only supposed to be a temporary job while retraining and I have my qualification and looking for work. I hate the job and know I will be at risk from Covid as people are idiots, especially when drinking.

audweb · 25/05/2020 08:33

I’m desperate to get back to the office. It’s hard to keep a work life balance when your office is in your living room. I miss other adults and grown up work related conversation - we do video call but it’s not the same. It’s also hard working with a child to entertain as well. I really miss normal life and working in a place designed for work. We’ve been told we won’t be back until the end of the year. I love my job but this feels horrible and hard work and I’m finding it hard to keep motivated and mentally well.

mrsswayze · 25/05/2020 08:34

I'm a nurse and dh a key worker so never had any choice but to get in with things. I have to watch my 3 kids with no sleep as I do nights

cuparfull · 25/05/2020 08:36

I worry about the debt the country is building up and the future implications for all our children and grandchildren having to pay it all off.

By all means try for a better work life balance /change jobs, but let's get back asap whilst mitigating risk as much as possible.

ploopmoop · 25/05/2020 08:48

I think 20% of the workforce has been furloughed so the vast majority of people have not stopped working.

Lots of people out in their gardens or in the park "having fun" are still employed.

PafLeChien · 25/05/2020 08:59

Too many people confuse the work place with social life. Everybody in my company is WFH (unless they specifically asked to reduce their hours and pay) and could keep WFH.

Sadly, there are a few moaning and trying to put pressure to reopen the office asap because they miss "social contact". They are a fucking pain in the ass, because at some point it won't be possible to brush them off.

90% at least wants to keep WFH - we have the systems in place now, bought everybody all they needed, so why not. The schools will reopen eventually, it will just be easier. We'll keep the office for meetings and various things, but there shouldn't be any need to go in there more than 1 day a week at the most.

I wish the trouble maker could get a hobby for their social life and leave the rest of the company in peace.

Epigram · 25/05/2020 09:01

DH and I are both wfh (normal hours and normal pay) and will be happy to return to work as soon as they reopen and the schools reopen.

kitschplease · 25/05/2020 09:07

Work is busier than ever and would be much easier in an office than at the kitchen table with the DC at home too. I would like a 2-3 day wfh/office split, with the kids back at school to make getting work done less stressful.

Ylvamoon · 25/05/2020 09:08

I am on 80% furlough. My bills want 100% payment. I hate being stuck at home indefinitely, I can't really go anywhere. I struggle with home schooling reluctant DC.
I miss my work colleagues and the buzz I get from my work.

Enough said.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 25/05/2020 09:08

@PafLeChien some people work better when they have other people around to motivate them. I'm a natural extrovert, I need people around me to be productive. If I had to work from home it wouldn't be to the best of my ability. Just because people work differently doesn't mean they are "trouble makers" Hmm

Footywife · 25/05/2020 09:09

Some of us didn't have a choice. I worked from home when almost everyone else was furloughed (on full pay). I've had to go back to the workplace recently as the job just can't be done from home long term.

Those sitting there all cushty at home not wanting to go back need to get their heads out of the clouds.

purpleme12 · 25/05/2020 09:11

@PafLeChien what an ignorant post

cuparfull · 25/05/2020 09:13

When I said "Get back" I meant to come off furlough and the crippling debt the country is incurring, rather than go back to our previous working practices.
Am I wrong in thinking a lot will change?

UnderTheBus · 25/05/2020 09:14

My husband was furloughed for 3 weeks. He was desperate to get back to work because he was concerned about whether his company would go under and he would be left without a job. Also more than a few weeks on 80% pay would leave us very short as I'm on maternity leave so relying on his wages.

JourneyToThePlacentaOfTheEarth · 25/05/2020 09:16

paflechien agreed.

Op I've been wfh since March with 3 kids who are emotional and sad about the different things they've missed out on. I've worked harder over the last 2 months than ever before, including weekends and homeschooling. I don't want to go back to the office because I can do my job just fine from home, but I'm very happy to keep working hard. What is needed is flexibility to choose, planning and protection for those who have to/ want to go in to the workplace and fresh ideas about presenteeism.

silentpool · 25/05/2020 09:16

I love WFH and am in no rush to go back to packed commuter trains and the office. Those who miss the office can volunteer to go back. Fine by me.

I think I've already had a mild dose of COVID which took weeks to recover from. That was brought on by sitting on packed trains and/or open plan offices. So, I will be the last to put myself at risk again, especially when I can easily work at home. In fact, my contract ends later in the year and I am considering moving back to Australia, where they are taking this more seriously. I do not want to go through a winter flu season here with COVID still floating around.

Pleasenodont · 25/05/2020 09:20

I’m seven months pregnant and a teacher so I won’t be returning before my mat leave kicks in early July. I’m hoping DH can WFH for the foreseeable, him returning worries me at this stage in pregnancy and also with a newborn.

BlueJava · 25/05/2020 09:20

I've remained working (thankfully!) and have had to work very hard indeed, but from home. I don't want to go back to the office for more than a day a week though - it's now proven we can successfully delivery what we need to, and more, from home. That means at least £35 a day saving at least for me (£9.50 a day car park, £23 train fare, tube costs, lunch and coffees if I buy out). Not to mention I no longer need smart work suits/shoes/dresses/jackets etc.

Kidneybingo · 25/05/2020 09:20

The majority of people are not furloughed. Most are still working. I hope more people who want to are allowed to work from home in future to keep roads and transport clearer. I am looking forward to going in because I can't do my job as well at home. However in future I will not be working the hours I have been. I'll do 45 to 50 and no more. My children are teens so it hasn't been as hard for me, and I've learned a bit about work life balance.

Mynameisrow · 25/05/2020 09:23

I love working at home I have found I have a better work life balance, but I am lucky that I have a proper office space and no children, however I am desperate for lockdown to be lifted.

I am more than happy to be going back to work when it comes, I just know that when it happens I’m going to request more flexibility with where I work as this has proved we don’t need to sit in an office Monday to Friday 9-5. And if this can’t be accommodated I want a good reason.

Chillipeanuts · 25/05/2020 09:23

Working at home longer hours than ever.

Don’t know anyone on furlough enjoying their “holiday”. Worried sick about what they’re going to do in August, when employers have to find 25% of the cost and 3 million plus are suddenly made redundant, yes.

maddiemookins16mum · 25/05/2020 09:27

You can guarantee a fair few not wanting to go back to work will be happily strolling along Southend seafront this afternoon and queuing for chips.

SeaShells31 · 25/05/2020 09:30

DH is furloughed and desperate to get back to work. He gets so bored being off. I’m working from home and I’m enjoying it atm but don’t think I could do it permanently. My parents or in-laws usually help with childcare during summer holidays but they are all shielding so I’d imagine I’ll be WFH till at least September otherwise we’d be stuck for childcare.

Carrie7469 · 25/05/2020 09:33

I'm WFH and I don't want to go back to the office