Do you like your job more or less, since WFH (if you are!)

[OneLeafHill]

Like a lot of people, my company has been WFH for the last 4/5 months (crazy when you think how long it’s been!)

At first, it was a novelty obviously and everyone enjoyed wearing comfy clothes and didn’t miss the commute. There are certainly lots of benefits to WFH.

But does anyone else feel all the enjoyment has gone from their job? (If you did used to like it!) everything just feels such hard work, nothing motivating, boring but stressful, I am sick of being on Zoom calls all day barely getting a break.

It has made me think that, actually, maybe I’ve never really ‘enjoyed’ my work (corporate role) but rather I enjoyed seeing people, office interactions, getting dressed up and feeling confident, ‘me time’ on my commute etc. etc. If the only thing is the actual ‘work’, it’s awful!

It is making me think that if this is the ‘future’ maybe it’s time for a change! Even if I went back to the office I expect with all the restrictions companies would need to put in place it would be strange and somewhat cold/depressing.

Anyone else? I probably haven’t explained this very well....

I'm happier generally, which helps, and i do enjoy my job more. I dread the return to usual practice.

I WFH for 5 years (self-employed), then after maternity leave got myself an office job for the sociability – that’s what I said at interview but it was actually for the money. Then of course all this. I’ve never been in to the office, started remotely during lockdown, and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. Mostly because of the benefits of not commuting – no rush to do nursery pick up, lots of time with DD before and after work, and keeping on top of laundry etc during the week means weekends are just for fun, not for chores. The job itself is tedious whether it’s in an office or at home – but I never enjoyed office life really, can’t bear the endless commentary on one’s lunch choices or what you did at the weekend. Hoping to WFH forever now, much easier to manage life with a small child.

But like a PP we moved to a stupidly expensive place in order to cut our commutes. Now can’t afford to move even if we both go remote permanently, which is a shame because I’ve got a Rightmove full of isolated mansions.

I changed jobs and sectors about a year ago.
I found myself working in a role that does not fit the job description I had been given. I enter data all. day. long. That's it. Nothing else. My commute, due to external circumstances (new industrial park opening, road layout changes) has increased to one hour plus each way. Plus I work with a weird bunch: it is a very strange place. Nobody speaks all day; there is no chatter. Rumours and nasty comments abound.
WFH makes it bearable. I can do my banal work away from all the back biting and gain hours every day. To be honest I don't know how i will cope if i have to return. Being out of it makes me wonder how i actually managed 9 months of this crap.

I enjoying work more now that I'm wfh. I've realized that my job itself is not that bad. It is my team and other colleagues that suck out the enjoyment. Now that I event had to see them in months and team meetings are easier to tune out, it makes the job almost enjoyable.

@CleanandJerk

I changed jobs and sectors about a year ago. I found myself working in a role that does not fit the job description I had been given. I enter data all. day. long. That's it. Nothing else. My commute, due to external circumstances (new industrial park opening, road layout changes) has increased to one hour plus each way. Plus I work with a weird bunch: it is a very strange place. Nobody speaks all day; there is no chatter. Rumours and nasty comments abound. WFH makes it bearable. I can do my banal work away from all the back biting and gain hours every day. To be honest I don't know how i will cope if i have to return. Being out of it makes me wonder how i actually managed 9 months of this crap.

Exactly! Same here. I was thinking of switching jobs but can manage at home

I started wfh a couple of years before COVID. But when I look back on my old office, no I don’t miss it at all. The people were nice but everyone had a long commute (because our “old” office had closed and they relocated us miles away) so everyone was exhausted and miserable. The work was full on and very stressful. So there was no time or motivation for “banter” or chats in the kitchen. The office itself was like a warehouse, rows of desks that we weren’t allowed to even have personal stuff on (I’m the sort of person who likes say a plant and something bright on my desk to make it cheery!). The odd snatched 5 minute conversation with a colleague did not make up for all the downsides. If I have my way I’ll never go back to an office again.

I quite like being at work and DS likes going to nursery. It was boring for him being stuck at home with us for weeks, although I think he quite enjoyed it in the beginning. I was WFH for the entire time, so DH had to look after him while i was trying to teach other people's children via Zoom. It was ok the first few weeks but it did get tedious towards the end and my class were equally keen to get back into school.
We're starting back as normal. I've enjoyed going into school and getting my classroom ready, meeting people, finding my way around. I'm starting at a new school, so I'm glad we aren't starting back remotely. I've got a first year class as well, so they won't know how to do anything, yet.

No enjoyment has gone from my job. I am a lot more happy working from home. Still have fabulous zoom catch ups with my favourite colleagues.