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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:
OrinocoGlow · 25/05/2020 13:49

That's a bit harsh Paf. Some people bring their positivity to the office and thrive working in a team, sharing ideas and knowing what's going on around them. How else would new joiners ever pick up the role or the company's culture if everyone worked at home?

purpleme12 · 25/05/2020 13:54

I think it's clear this person is just trying to stir things now

PafLeChien · 25/05/2020 14:11

purpleme12
you know people can have an opinion that you don't agree with, without just wanting to "stir things now"? Grin

Just because as your boss I am not allowed to tell it to your face in these exact terms doesn't mean I don't think it...

purpleme12 · 25/05/2020 14:12

Yes I do know Smile

PafLeChien · 25/05/2020 14:14

OrinocoGlow
we haven't stop recruiting and a few new members of staff have been trained, it's going ok!

I am not advocating closing down the office for good, I am just irritated by a few idiots who are feeling "lonely" because they don't go in the office every day. The exact same ones who usually moan "is it Friday yet?" .

I am not sure the high majority wanting to WFH will be able to keep it up because of the very low minority. It's a shame.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 25/05/2020 14:15

Paf I bet your colleagues are glad you're not in the office with that attitude.

My job can't be done from home so no "trouble making" here. We all have to go in to work. Grin

MondeoFan · 25/05/2020 14:16

I'm on furlough and it's not fun. I am homeschooling a 14 year old and a 4 year old.
I'm on 80% of my wages so have a shortage of money too. Things were already tight before.
I'd like to go back to work but have some childcare issues. Youngest is meant to be back at school next week but they aren't opening Mondays or Fridays and reduced hours. So real problems here.
I'm def not a scrounger or lazy

PafLeChien · 25/05/2020 14:16

My job can't be done from home so no "trouble making" here. We all have to go in to work. Confused

so that's completely irrelevant? We are talking about people who CAN WFH and have been doing so for the last few weeks...

Waxonwaxoff0 · 25/05/2020 14:18

I know, I was merely pointing out that some people do better work when they are around people. We all work differently. Not everyone is anti social.

MinesAPintOfTea · 25/05/2020 14:20

And Paf, do you know enough about your colleague's circumstances to know that their spouse isn't throwing things around the house? Most of my colleagues would be shocked if they knew that was why I want to go back in (can't - country-wide ban on going into the office)

PafLeChien · 25/05/2020 14:22

Not everyone is anti social.

Having a very busy private and social life, and saving a lot of time WFH efficiently, is hardly being anti social Wink

PafLeChien · 25/05/2020 14:22

MinesAPintOfTea
I would suggest seeking safer and long-term solutions than escaping for a few hours in the office, which is hardly a solution.

Eckhart · 25/05/2020 14:23

@happyandsingle Same for me with the migraines, it's amazing. Like a migraine-holiday. I think a lot of HR/OH depts are going to be quite busy when people start going back...

LittleMissnotLittleMrs · 25/05/2020 14:38

I’m a teacher. I’ve NEVER been so busy / stressed / anxious than now. I am working all hours trying to deliver a full timetable via Teams. I have no office so I’m in the kitchen. I have injured myself trying to contort into various positions to enable teaching - a makeshift whiteboard visible from my (that I had to buy) laptop whilst also being able to see my students.

Chasing up work, marking work and feeding back as I can’t just look at the work when I walk by. Dealing with questions that I have to video an answer to as I’m not allowed 1 on 1 video calls due to safeguarding. Not seeing colleagues either for help with a problem / issue. Not seeing colleagues at break or lunch. Not having random conversations with students about their drama or art or pets. Being o utterly drained from giving but not receiving energy in lessons as students don’t share their video so I’m talking to a blank screen with letters on them.

Having no reserves at tea time to cook - my neighbour drops food round to make sure I eat. My parents live on an island I can’t visit. I live alone. I’ve had no face to face conversations with family or friends for 8 weeks and I’ve had no human touch in that time.

I’ve had to listen to a fair few negative comments about teachers sitting at home doing bugger all. Trust me, life will be so much easier, more relaxed and fun when I get back to a classroom. I’m really worried about my MH and that of my students.

Sorry, rather long and rant. Wasn’t expecting that!

So in answer to your question, I CAN’T WAIT TO GET BACK!

PafLeChien · 25/05/2020 14:41

To be fair, I would never have put teachers in the category of people able to WFH

BarbiesWorld · 25/05/2020 15:55

We've been very lucky in that DH is "working from home" on full pay which essentially means he checks his emails on his phone and once a week pops into the office for 2 hours. I'm on maternity leave but have very very little desire to return to work in September as planned as DD starts full time school, DS will have to start nursery and I'm a minimum wage nursery practitioner.

We were talking yesterday and we actually think I'm going to stay at home for at least another year 🤷🏻‍♀️

vanillandhoney · 25/05/2020 16:06

I'm self-employed and nobody is interested in my services - I'm open and willing to work but until people start going back to work, I'll continue making nothing :/

I'm very, very fortunate that DH has worked throughout and earns well so we're not struggling financially but I miss my job!

Parky04 · 25/05/2020 16:22

Can't wait to go back to the office full time. Enjoy leaving the house for my 25 minutes cycle commute. Really like my colleagues. I go to the gym every lunchtime as its just across the road. I am not as motivated at home as I am in the office.

LynseyLou1982 · 25/05/2020 17:32

To be honest I'd be happy to go back to work. I miss the interaction with my colleagues. I don't miss the commute. What is annoying me is the constant bashing of the furloughed. My husband is furloughed. It wasn't his choice he didn't want to be furloughed and as the nature of his business is working with the hospitality industry he may not have a job to go back to. He absolutely is not 'On holiday' he's been looking after our 2 year old all day so I can work from home and get full days in and when the toddler is napping he's working round the house.

IrmaFayLear · 25/05/2020 17:45

People who have a partner and family are possibly keen to wfh. Abandoning office life is kicking the ladder away a bit for young people. We all enjoyed (or didn't enjoy!) office parties, water cooler gossip, in jokes about Brian's slacks or Mary's hairdo... I would feel sorry if ds was condemned to a lifetime of sitting at his desk in his bedroom working online.

It's like those people who say it's "sad" making friends at work, or "sad" acquiring mum friends from the school gate etc etc... Increasing the emphasis on being at home in the future will limit social opportunities greatly.

EmpressLangClegInChair · 25/05/2020 20:48

And it’s not just about social life within the office - although hearing the people next to you discussing something & realising you can help, or bumping into someone in the lift & having a chat that leads to ways you can work together, are massively valuable IMO and don’t happen on Zoom.

I work in Central London & that’s where my yoga classes & my meet-ups with friends are, not in my Zone 4 suburb. I live alone because I couldn’t bear to share my home with people but that doesn’t mean I want to be alone all day too.

Ragwort · 25/05/2020 21:02

Irma I have a DH & DS but can’t wait to get back to work, being cooped up together 24/7 is not good for any of us Grin.
My job is in the community, I love meeting other people and being out and about - really looking forward to getting back to work.

countrygirl99 · 25/05/2020 21:06

I'm WFH but I'm busier than ever as I've been working on Covid response and it's manic. I will be very happy to get back to my day job but would love to save my 75min each way commute 2 or 3 days a week. Usually I go to the office and spend my day on calls with people all over the country so it makes no difference where I am.

Gwenhwyfar · 26/05/2020 08:05

" I am just irritated by a few idiots who are feeling "lonely" because they don't go in the office every day."

What? I'm unreasonable because I don't get to talk to anybody ever except zoom calls?!
I bet you live with someone else!

Gwenhwyfar · 26/05/2020 08:09

"Abandoning office life is kicking the ladder away a bit for young people. We all enjoyed (or didn't enjoy!) office parties, water cooler gossip, in jokes about Brian's slacks or Mary's hairdo... I would feel sorry if ds was condemned to a lifetime of sitting at his desk in his bedroom working online."

Office chat is not just for young people!
I'm middle aged and don't have the energy to go out every night (when not in lockdown) so during the week, the office is where I socialise. Take that away from me and life would be much harder.