To think that office life/daily commuting may change forever

[scotlandg]

Basically just wondered if ppl think they will become more home based or will be expected to go in daily. My husband is London based but has been able to do his from home since lockdown. He previously did one day a week at home. I am just wondering if ppl think home working will stay or all drop away in time? Thank you

I hope it changes in Cornwall too. Most employers refuse part time, flexible, work from home (I said most - not all)..... making it very difficult for mothers to return to work.

Hopefully now most offices have realised that work can get done at home - they’ll be more flexible in the future.

Although just saw a few local roles on Indeed where it said “Remote working? No” so maybe not.

For a single person who used to spend 4 hours per day commuting to the office. WFH should make them less stressed & more efficient

However, one or two people in a team could work less effectively & be carried by the rest of the team. Depending on what sort of work is done.

I have noticed that sickness has decreased dramatically during the lockdown WFH period. I wonder if it will increase once we are requested to work in the office again ?

WFH potentially has opportunities for abuse by some employees, if the work is not monitored or policed properly by the employer

This obviously depends on the type of work that is being done

Secondly, systems & processes need to be put in place when technology fails or single points of failure fail. It does happen

We've worked in the offices throughout bar those who have been furloughed through needing to shield or a couple who are shielding but preferred to carry on WFH rather than being furloughed.

Being with a bubble of colleagues has been fantastic. I used to WFH one day a week to catch up but didn't bother during past 3.5 month as not travelling.

WFH full time would drive me potty - I love interaction with my colleagues and it's just not feasible to be 100% home based in our industry.

Going forward we'll do far less site visits and more Teams meetings rather than F2F which will save us money in expenses.

@3YearT1dyUp3

WFH potentially has opportunities for abuse by some employees, if the work is not monitored or policed properly by the employer

This obviously depends on the type of work that is being done

Secondly, systems & processes need to be put in place when technology fails or single points of failure fail. It does happen

Working in an office does too, I've met plenty of people who don't do much at work - we don't need monitoring, we just need normal management.

Labyrinthloafer

Agreed, I've seen poor work occur in the office too

I was hoping to dismiss a myth that WFH is not all positive. It has its flaws

They are currently getting everyone a desk, chair and pc set up delivered to their homes so we don't have to work off laptops forever.

Some people in DH's firm have been able to borrow equipment but it depends which city you're in. It isn't possible from the hot desk London office apparently because all of the furniture and equipment is leased rather than owned by the company.

My feeling is that many organisations will incorporate a much larger proportion of home working.

I've been working at home since 23 March and I can see no end to it at present. I hate it so much that I'm leaving and have got a new job where I'll be able to commute once again . YAAAY

@Longingtolearn

Not for my specific company no

Homeworking as meant a massive drop in trust, despite productivity being the same and higher at some points theyve really cracked down on breaks.

They want to know where you are, what you're doing at all times and have actually made it policy we have to ASK before we go to the toilet.

Its just not on tbh

What you have to ask to go to the toilet in your own home? WTF?

I've always wanted a hybrid model of working. Am really happy just going in one day a week. But this blended model? How does this work for employers exactly? Will landlords take a discounted rent for premises being used just three days a week? How is that cost effective?

The civil service was moving to smarter working pre-covid to reduce office space, so more hot desking, flexible working etc. It isn't new. All co-vid has done is accelerate wfh more. For our company I dont mind working from home most of the week and that we have offices without kf meetings spaces so we can come in for meetings to break up the week. We were always fudning it hard to find meeting rooms and this makes more sense really to concert desk space to meeting spaces.

I wouldn't want to do all week at home, nee dsomething to break it up.

It'll be interesting to see what brpadband providers do since home Internet is not for business use according to terms and conditions, same for home insurance........Will we end up having to pay more or will they change terms and conditions....

I read that the owner of Pret wants people to go back to offices to keep stores open. I’m not going back to the office to keep Pret and Starbucks in business! That’s capitalism for you, can’t have it both ways.

@Redyoyo

I'm civil service and we have been told that this will be the way forward from now on, we will be in the office once a week max once this is over and we will have to book a desk in advance. They are currently getting everyone a desk, chair and pc set up delivered to their homes so we don't have to work off laptops forever. I love my office and colleagues I'm finding it very difficult to think this is my future, its so depressing.

@Redyoyo what are they doing for employees who don't have room for a desk setup?

@NothingIsWrong we have no idea to be honest these might be the first people allowed back into the office full time. TBF i don't have room myself but I'm now going to be spending at least 16 hours a day in my bedroom for the next 25 years as thats the only place i can put it!

@Ilikewinter

People working from home, whilst may be great, will help to further decimate the city centres. There are sooo many independent sandwich and coffee shops / food trucks i see that were once bustling are now dead. The city centre used to be packed at lunch time and now those shops are empty. The only people i see frequenting the town are teenagers and people in their 20s. I presume this gang of the population would normally either be studying or actually working part time in bars/restaurants and shops, but they now have nothing to do.

Good, since we need to recentralise neighbourhoods for social and environmental reasons.

The independent shops can relocate to local high streets (which used to be thriving), and the multinationals filling up shopping centres etc can go bust.

I have two friends with young children that have been working from home for some time. They had enormous flexibility and worked during school hours and when their children are in bed. They were responsible for compiling work rostas and timetabling for a large organisation. They have both lost their jobs as work is being out sourced, presumably overseas.

@mindutopia with a 6 hour daily commute I should think you would be praying for a more flexible wfh future. I'm in Manchester and can be in Central London in 3 hours, there is no way on earth I could do that sort of commute!

My job has been mostly wfh since March, with gradual back to work days on a rota. Full time in September, I cannot wfh once our 'clients' return. I hope my commuting time stays the same as it has for the last few weeks - 20 minutes or less drive instead of 40+ in rush hour.

That said, a friend runs an independent deli/coffee shop in the city and is looking at closing as there simply hasn't been the footfall or business lunches to cater for.