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)

Is this more class based than many would admit?
No.

Ok shop assistants and carers can't work from home but neither can judges and surgeons.
It's possibly harder for the CEO to consistently work from home then the staff in the call centre.

I do think if it continues then long term it might affect what jobs becomes high demand , esp if you're not required to work core hours

I think it highlighted a disparity between low paid keyworkers (going out to work) at the start of the pandemic and the higher earners who were furloughed/WFI. Not sure if it still does or if there is massive resentment though.

@Sallygoround631

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.

What's sad is that people get branded as minimum wage workers and it's taken for granted that's all they'll ever be. Could it give the people who are in minimum wage jobs the incentive to reskill to enable them to do different work, that could offer wfh.

What would be ideal is to open it up to more people to the ability to work some days in the office and other days from home. Employers are being dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century where it has been proved now that people can wfh and don't need to be bum on seat in an office just to please some control freak manager who can't deal with not having everyone within sight

So what you are saying op is that all those people who have a three hour commute to work should continue doing it so that those who have a ten minute comments can feel better about their life choices

@Andthewinnerislucky

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

Exactly.

I never see the point of resentment. We all make choices in life.

Ok shop assistants and carers can't work from home but neither can judges and surgeons.

You do know that judges have worked remotely through Covid

The more people WFH the less people on the roads for the dreaded rush hour commute which benefits everyone as well as the environment. Perhaps there would be some level of resentment but ultimately we all make our own choices and sometimes there are benefits that come along with it. Those for example going into work to do a shift would finish their shift and immediately switch off from their work and go home, those wfh might (and often do) end up working many extra hours unpaid because there is no natural stopping point.

@gogorogo

Ok shop assistants and carers can't work from home but neither can judges and surgeons.

You do know that judges have worked remotely through Covid

So have surgeons. They only come in for surgeries and all but the most critical were cancelled.

Some surgeons can do paperwork from home Im sure & I thought robot surgery was the future.

@SleepingStandingUp

Is this more class based than many would admit? No. Ok shop assistants and carers can't work from home but neither can judges and surgeons. It's possibly harder for the CEO to consistently work from home then the staff in the call centre.

I do think if it continues then long term it might affect what jobs becomes high demand , esp if you're not required to work core hours

Judges have worked from home, conducting hearings by phone and video link. I think this will continue for minor and shorter hearings going forward.

Surgeons will conduct surgery on site, but can conduct some initial consultations and follow ups by video link - which is the mixed model of wfh/wf-office most would like to have.

So what you are saying op is that all those people who have a three hour commute to work should continue doing it so that those who have a ten minute comments can feel better about their life choices

where did the OP say this?

I was listening to a caller on local radio who was talking about wfh and the risk of more outsourcing to places like India.
The company she works for outsources all its accountancy work which I would have thought would need more specialist uk knowledge. Out of interest I googled outsourcing to India and was quite amazed not only at the scope of jobs outsourced but the financial savings available.
With so many companies who are going to struggle to survive post Covid I wouldn’t be surprised if this is not going to be a growth area.

It falls into you ether can work from home or you can't depends on the profession rather than the class

@whereorwhere

So what you are saying op is that all those people who have a three hour commute to work should continue doing it so that those who have a ten minute comments can feel better about their life choices

yah, sure thing, that's exactly what im saying,

if you like.
if it makes you feel better.

More likely lower paid jobs wfh
It’s neither lower or higher but what you do as a role. A brain surgeon can’t work from home but neither can a refuse collector or retail worker. If you’ve got a laptop or capability to access certain systems you can WFH. Everyone from the junior admin staff to senior project managers can work from home in my organisation as can the CEO as we have system accessibility using laptops. Some companies won’t have the ability perhaps due to system access.

@BrightYellowDaffodil Also agree.

@jessstan2 Indeed.

@CantSleepClownsWillEatMe

Resentment or jealousy are not the same as a “class divide” and I don’t think it should be framed that way. I’ve seen quite a few posts on MN that pretty much boil down to Waah, it’s not fair! If I can’t do it nobody should be able to. It’s just pettiness and begrudgery for the most part

If a person believes they could wfh but their employer won’t allow it then they need to work to convince them to evolve or apply for jobs with a more flexible employer, not spend their time and energy attempting to limit others!

It’s a fact that some jobs can’t be done from home - that’s really not a shock to serving staff, train drivers, heart surgeons, road sweepers, farmers, physiotherapists and so on. As it becomes more normal I expect it’s something people will consider when applying for jobs just like they currently consider length of commute, earning potential, pension contributions and so on.

Couldn't agree more.

this brain surgeon thing tho!

let it die!

Outsourcing might increase but I don't think there will be massive changes. Every company I've worked for outsourced their payroll but to other parts of the UK, never abroad. Covid may actually put some companies of outsourcing to places like India.

If I’m honest, WFH will mean organisations can take on people from anywhere around the country and not be limited to local areas and people can work in places not limited to the local area. We are a big employer near the New Forest and have recently taken on a few new starters based in Oxford and Manchester to name a few places. These roles created with a new full time WFH option.

Loads of crappy jobs can be done from home.

@Sallygoround631 I completely understand what you are trying to say. People who spent thousands working in London’s commuting, can sell their tiny 2 bed flat and get a mortgage free house in the countryside and still do the same job WFH, and gained hours back in their lives commuting so yes they will have gained and a divide. I thought that with those working from home at the beginning and those who had to take delivery jobs to stay alive, so those delivery people were out being exposed to keep those WFH in the sunshine safe.

These are the top 10 best paid UK job sectors (based on PAYE). The vast majority of these jobs will allow for remote working in a pandemic.

1	Chief Executives and Senior Officials – £97,708
2	Air Traffic Controllers – £94,431
3	Marketing and Sales Directors – £80,411
4	Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers – £78,570
5	Legal Professionals (n.e.c.*) – £74,701
6	Medical Practitioners – £72,019
7	Information Technology and Telecommunications Directors – £69,409
8	Financial Managers and Directors – £66,353
9	Functional Managers and Directors – £62,595
10	Senior Police Officers – £58,854

OP I do see where you're coming from and I think you're not wrong.

I work in a professional environment in med level role and can work from home. Colleagues in the same office who do other jobs such as sorting post or secretarial ability to work from home more limited. Also have colleagues who cannot work from home as they have no computer and no internet. I know people who work in retail such as shop floor or bus drivers and they obviously cannot work from home.

It is a generalisation but my friends who are in professional or corporate jobs like I am in can work from home and I know many in different roles who cannot.

The Telegraph had an article on just this a few weeks ago. 'The home working revolution will de-rail the middle class gravy train'
Talked as above pp said about losing jobs to other countries, with 'millions of jobs becoming exportable'.
The urban landscapes of cities would also change without the daily footfall
There seems to be a difference between the skill sets for working remotely and those of being present in the office. I've read that those who are more reflective and introverted could me across better in WFH situations. It will definitely show those who are all talk and little action.
I don't myself think it's good for mental health to lose the daily human trivial interactions with colleagues.

@PablosHoney

Loads of crappy jobs can be done from home.

I bet a lot of people would love to know what they are!