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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I’ll never be going back to the office again?

152 replies

BirdieFriendReturns · 28/05/2020 10:58

I’m in the civil service and we’ve been told we aren’t going back this year? You CAN go into the office if you can’t work from home but we are meant to be WFH.

I keep reading on here that people are being told they are never going to back to the office.

Is this the end of offices then?

OP posts:
amusedbush · 28/05/2020 12:05

I work for a university, we've been told office-based staff are likely to be phased back from September

Me too. We've been told that essential staff (maintenance, security, IT) will be going back from the 1st July. Non-essential can look to return from 1st August but my boss said our team can wait until 1st September as we (Admissions) can do everything from home.

We've also been told it will be on a rota basis, so half the team in on certain days and wfh the others.

Themostwonderfultimeoftheyear · 28/05/2020 12:07

DH is going to approach his work about permanent home working so that we can move to a part of the country we are desperate to move to.

LordEmsworth · 28/05/2020 12:12

We've been told that offices will re-open as & when it's considered safe in line with government guidelines, that some offices will have limited capacity due to social distancing requirements (in some of our offices less than 10% of capacity), and it will be employee-led - so we will be able to choose if we're able to return.

I am expecting I won't be allowed before September, and that I am likely to go into the office rarely if at all before Christmas.

I am bloody fed up with being at home all the time, but there's no point going in if I am having to sit on my own! So I am really hoping it's not the end forever, but accept it's unlikely I'll be regularly in the office this year.

BatleyTownswomensGuild · 28/05/2020 12:15

I don't think it's the total end of office life, but companies are likely to incorporate a lot more homeworking in order to save money on office space etc.

DH has been told that pretty much everyone who can will be expected to wfh 2-3 days a week in the future. My organisation tends to need more of a physical presence, so will probably carry on as before. But we've been told we're unlikely to be back before Sept...

EnlightenedOwl · 28/05/2020 12:20

Offices not reopening for while yet and we wont be returning to 100 percent office working

MidsomerMum · 28/05/2020 12:21

We’re not going back until september. However, I strongly suspect that as our income has dropped dramatically that the office will be sold and a smaller one purchased that can be used as and when staff need to be in/for the staff that hate wfh.

My company had always been against wfh but everyone has been so much more productive and CEO now also keen to bring in flexible working for all as has realised as long as the job is getting done it doesn’t matter when or where.

Original poster
BirdieFriendReturns · 28/05/2020 12:25

We’ve been told to prepare for a civil service recruitment freeze in the upcoming austerity measures. So at least I don’t have to worry about recruitment and onboarding new people whilst WFH!

OP posts:
HotFrogJumpingDog · 28/05/2020 12:26

Civil Service here too and although they haven't said as much, certainly the indications are that we won't be in the office on a full-time basis anytime soon. DP is also Civil Service and he's in the same boat.

We both are quite happy to WFH long term. We're saving money, no long commute, we're eating better, more home cooked meals, exercising more, etc.

I doubt this will be the end of offices, but I do think that employees will generally work more remotely if they can.

MsTSwift · 28/05/2020 12:28

Dh thinks he will never go back to his office he is thrilled. In some ways damn he is lovely but quite like having the house to myself have a few lazy ways (I wfh all the time) 😁 if it’s sunny I give myself the afternoon off!

Ginkypig · 28/05/2020 12:44

@BirdieFriendReturns

It also seems a bit mad that if shops, hairdressers and schools are open, office working will still be banned. 🤷🏻‍♀️
Sitting in an office next to someone or near others for 8 hours or being in a meeting with several others for a sustained time is quite different from passing someone in a shop etc though isn't it?

I think eventually offices will open but I am hoping that lots of businesses will be open to long term wfh or flexible working like 3 days at home and two in the office etc for people who want it as it's been proven it is workable now.
Lots of working parents will find that a much more workable alternative to balancing work and childcare.

Woodmarsh · 28/05/2020 13:10

I'm hoping to stay wfh, so much calmer and less stressful and I get just as much done.

I called my bank call centre number at the weekend and got a lovely lady who was wfh I could hear her so much better than when I usually call

emmathedilemma · 28/05/2020 13:15

This is my fear! I know some companies are planning 12-24 months ahead. We haven't had any word yet other than it definitely won't be before July. If schools don't go back until after the summer holidays then I'd surprised if we open before then as those who need it won't have any childcare. we all seem to be managing to work from home ok thus far and work is still coming in from Clients with very few staff furloughed as far as I know (mostly admin / receptionists etc). I like WFH occasionally but it's a lonely world doing it all the time.

User202004 · 28/05/2020 13:16

Civil service, there is literally no need for me to be in the office nor most of my organisation so I think we will work from home for as long as possible and rethink our future working, we've already discussed changing the way we work permanently. No date has been set as to returning but I will be surprised if it's this year.

Original poster
BirdieFriendReturns · 28/05/2020 13:17

IF schools don’t go back in September or only go back part time, WFH will have to continue. IF there’s another lockdown, especially over winter, we are all back to WFH.

OP posts:
PontiacBandit · 28/05/2020 13:23

I've been told September as a date to return to the office. I like wfh at the moment and it works ok for my job. I'm considering wfh in the future with maybe 1 day in the office.

Mumofcats5 · 28/05/2020 13:23

Civil service here too - I'm hoping to work from home for the foreseeable as am enjoying my desk set up, am as productive and when DS goes back to nursery will be able to spend more time with him or at least do pick up on time.
I do have to go on site visits though so hoping will be able to drive to them rather than attempt public transport (when safe to do so etc, not right now)

ProsperTheBear · 28/05/2020 13:26

It also seems a bit mad that if shops, hairdressers and schools are open, office working will still be banned.

it's not the same at all, when you can WFH there's no reason whatsoever not to carry on.
Hairdressers can't work remotely.

gingerninja99 · 28/05/2020 13:27

Also Civil Service here except I am working in the office with not looking like the option to work from home coming anytime soon although I have I'd prefer to, 50% of our office is working from home though. I am still currently in 5 days a week so both kids at school as per usual as husband cannot work from home.

Parky04 · 28/05/2020 13:32

Hopefully back to the office shortly. Nice 25 minute commute by bike. See my work colleagues (a great bunch). Gym at lunchtime as its only across the road. Really can't wait until I'm back in the office!

OP posts:
Original poster
BirdieFriendReturns · 28/05/2020 13:36

Apparently, some military bases are going to be closed down permanently and sold off for housing. All part of the move towards a virtual armed forces. WFH has gone so well! Obviously some people can’t WFH but people with desk jobs can.

Very interesting.

OP posts:
SummerBaby2020 · 28/05/2020 13:45

I am Civil Service and our office is still open and has been all the way through since the start ( key workers ) while they are trying to get as many of us as possible to work from home ( I am as I am 36+5 pregnant) they 1. Didn’t have the capacity to get so many lap tops, computers for home use etc at such short notice and 2. There are just some things that can’t be done at home. They have advised they there is still going to be an office environment. Think it’s totally depends on what part of the civil service you work for tbh.

CoronaMoaner · 28/05/2020 13:47

My DH has been told he’ll be working from home until Q4 earliest.
I’m desperate for him to go back (SAHM) but nope, realistically doesn’t look like it’ll happen this year.

Caryler · 28/05/2020 13:54

Civil service here - i know of three depts (my own and two others with immediate family working in them) that have made noises about not opening up to all staff this year. They are available for essential office based tasks, those classed as vulnerable or needing specialist equipment (issues with needing specialist desks etc, safety at home issues etc). They are considering opening that up to wider vulnerable category like living alone, those with no office space in shared accomodation etc but noone else yet.

I agree in principal, but i know it will be hard for many.

manitobajane · 28/05/2020 13:55

If people are WFH long term does that affect house insurance? Mine says I can't run a business from home.

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