AIBU to think WFH will create new 'class' divide?

[Sallygoround631]

I've been thinking about this. Have done it myself for 15 years so the concept isn't new to me, but I am self employed, (paid per project not per hour) which is the only experience I have of it. I'm not wealthy.

Been reading a few articles/forums discussing this and I wondered if a future of WFH would create some level of resentment or division between those who do it and those who can't.

Those who 'can't' being many minimum wage jobs, etc.

I've seen people happily reporting have many more free hours per day to spend with family, breakfast in sunshine, etc. Whilst I think this is a positive thing in itself, I imagine those who will never have a hope in hell to WFH might feel depressed when comparing their situation? Is this more class based than many would admit?

(I'd prefer this did not morph into a willy waving post about how lucky and well off of you/me/we are)

YABU there are many professionals who also can’t work from home.

WFH isn't class-based. It's more skill/type of work-based than about class or money.

@ZigZagPlant

YABU there are many professionals who also can’t work from home.

where did I say there wasn't?

DH misses the office as WFH is very lonely despite phone and video calls so it’s not that clear cut at all.

I'll try to rephrase - I have come across some level of resentment or sadness from people who won't be able to do it.

the concept of work becoming fairer, commutes vanishing, etc, leaves those who can't choose somewhat despondent.

it is this element which im focused on, wondering whether anyone else had thought it might become more pronounced in the future?

I use the term 'class' loosely, as in a class of home workers rather than traditional perception of class.

But yes there are definitely people who'll resent others for doing what they can't, as many do in every area of life.

More "resentment" than caused by working in a job on your feet all day compared to an office? (for example). We can't all work in the same way and never have. Isn't it quite common for people to say an office job would be their idea of hell? It's not like everyone wants that kind of work!

Lots of people actively choose non-office type jobs because that environment wouldn't suit them, so I'm not sure those people would have suited WFH any better in order to feel hard done by?

I might expect more resentment from office workers who want to WFH but have old-fashioned/crap employers who won't let them even after this.

It's not really class based at all. Many admin jobs that aren't that well paid can WFH.

Many others like tradespeople earn quite a bit more than NMW but can't WFH.

Then you've medical staff who are average to well paid cannot WFH.

Sounds like you're looking for problems that don't really exist.

I might expect more resentment from office workers who want to WFH but have old-fashioned/crap employers who won't let them even after this.

definitely this.

Those who can’t also include doctors and other medics, bank staff, a fair amount of senior management, teachers, vets etc. I don’t see it as a class issue really.

Isn't it a bit patronising to suggest everyone working in non-office jobs aspires to be an office worker but had to settle for whatever they actually do instead?

Sounds like you're looking for problems that don't really exist.

really?
dare I say I had hoped for a reasoned discussion amongst adults?
grow up.

People earning the living wage can work from home in my organisation

Brain surgeons will never WFH

Plus not everyone wants to WFH or has the space to do so. Some will have been forced into it against their will.

Cross posted with you, OP. YANBU to think that. Yes it will, as per usual human trait.

Isn't it a bit patronising to suggest everyone working in non-office jobs aspires to be an office worker but had to settle for whatever they actually do instead?

Agreed.

Not everyone wants to work in an office. I envy those that work outdoors. Even in the midst of winter. Or who work with animals. It’s not so clear cut as OP is suggesting.

Brain surgeon can’t work from home. Or a nurse. Or a retail customer service. Or refuse collection staff. Accountant may be able to. And an interpreter. And a cold caller and an artist. I don’t think class comes into it.

A divide potentially but its not on the basis of class, income or professional/other jobs - its whether you've got space to do it comfortably.

I have a spare room with space for a proper desk, chair, etc. I'm fine WFH, I don't particularly like it but it works. I've got colleagues working at dining tables, on the sofa, one works sitting up on the bed. We're all professionals with decent incomes who'd mostly be described as middle class.

Mostly the issue is their homes weren't purchased with the intention that one, two (or in one case three) adults would need to work from home

I work from home on MW... Any customer service type person can now do it (or most ) with NMW . So.i don't think so.

@ZigZagPlant my partner would rather crawl over broken glass for a living than work indoors in an office

I certainly think our lords and masters will use it to divide and fragment the workforce.

I think there is already a division between those who have so called 'cushy' office jobs, not to mention us civil servants with our gold plated pensions (ha ha) versus private sector.

In my opinion it will be used to drive down wages (no commuting costs) and possibly encourage outsourcing.

Those of us living in inner city flats like me have little benefit from staying at home. Frankly when my kids were young, work was the only place I could have a lunch break, eat in peace and read the paper.

Yanbu about the resentment imo, is happening at my work where some WFH for ages and some have been called in. But some people who will WFH not happy either!

I do think I would actively seek WFH in future, some colleagues are hating it.

some interesting and thoughtful replies, thanks.

Another side to this which relates to "class"perhaps is havi g the facilities to work from home. Those like me living in flats,doing Zoom calls in cramped kitchens or on your bed, with kids and other people also using the wifi, moving about etc are desperate to get back to the office, a proper chair and double screens. Mental health is becoming a real issue for me and some of the staff. The Boss seems bewildered by this and is still refusing to let us back. He lives in a 5 bed farmhouse with acres of grounds and his own office. Not everyone has that facility.

I suspect there will be a divide; regardless of the level of a job that can or cannot be done from home, there will be those who can’t afford the extra heating or broadband bills or don’t live in big enough houses to enable ‘a work space’ or the quiet to hold video calls or who live in house-shares where living and working in one bedroom just isn’t feasible or pleasant.

For some of us (me included, for full disclosure) WFH is easy but it isn’t like that for everyone. If WFHing becomes more standard, as I’m sure it will, there will be some for whom there is a barrier.