Who is looking at increased wfh long term?

[jorgeous]

Hello all,

The plan at both mine & DHs company was to go in on a rota basis from September. This is still going to happen but far less frequently than we anticipated eg 4 days a month in the office. Plus it's completely voluntary. Companies are making noises about this becoming the norm, reducing HQ space & competitors are acting similar & some have made the switch.
There are lots of benefits to wfh although I do like the social aspect of the office. However because we are not allowed meetings of more than 2 people, gyms, canteens, coffee stations etc are all closed very few are coming back so there is little social aspect.
If this is the norm we really need to rethink our home environment & have a proper office for both of us.
I feel a little sad tbh, anyone else in the same boat?

And me - am enjoying wfm. Have saved a fortune and got more work done.

Despite the clear government plants on Mumsnet, I’ll still be working from home thanks.

Anyone with a different viewpoint is a plant? Interesting. Even more so that many were also saying they hated wfh during the more restrictive lockdown and before the push for them to return.

Obviously wfh benefits many, as it does not many others, eg young people just starting out.

What I absolutely cannot stomach is the “I’ll be wfh, thanks” people. It’s that thanks at the end that sounds smug, sneery and, above all, unkind. By all means treasure your chance to wfh, save money, save time on commute etc etc, but spare a thought for those not so lucky. Do you have the same attitude towards anyone who has been dealt a poor hand? “Sorry to hear your dh has died. Bad luck. I love cosy evenings in with mine...” or “No children? Bad luck. I only had to look at dh and we conceived!” You see them all the time on MN. Gruesome.

Yes, there are quite a few of the Smuggy McSmugfaces On Mumsnet

Yes and so many don't seem to realise that yes they are going to be "from home " but without the "w" .

What's the difference between being smug about working from home and smug about the possibility of them losing their jobs? I would say the latter is more spiteful and pretty nasty, the former just irritating.

Yes and so many don't seem to realise that yes they are going to be "from home " but without the "w"

you do know that plenty of people already wfh full time? Or that many companies offer it pre Covid? My friend is a police detective, sometimes works from home. It's not a new thing.

@looperb

Yes and so many don't seem to realise that yes they are going to be "from home " but without the "w"

you do know that plenty of people already wfh full time? Or that many companies offer it pre Covid? My friend is a police detective, sometimes works from home. It's not a new thing.

Yes I do . I previously posted on this as my H is involved in exactly this - terminating leases on buildings etc . People are blind to what a lot of this means going forward .

It’s fine to wfh; many wfh already.

But it’s the new Smuggers who are slapping themselves on the back and doing (virtual) two fingers at others. As I said, a bit of a clue is those who use short sentences with a thanks at the end... could easily replace “thanks” with “Jack”, as in all right.

We have surveyed everyone in the company to check their preferences for wfh, office based or a combination. The majority want the option of wfh (this has always been an option) but with some time in the office. Everyone has had weekly one to one calls to check on their well-being. If anything the quantity and quality of work has increased. No one has been furloughed and no ones job is at risk.

I really hope people do stay wfh , I think it makes sense .
For me it's not practical but I'm only a 15 minute commute ( if traffic quiet) so it's selfish reasons I hope it stays .
I know this week traffic will be busier with everyone back to school but I really hope it's not what it was .

@VivaMiltonKeynes what's coming forward?

Reducing prime office space has been going on for ages, Covid has accelerated it.

www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-07-06/banks-are-ditching-london-offices-and-not-just-because-of-covid

[quote looperb]@VivaMiltonKeynes what's coming forward? [/quote]
Increased corporation tax for one thing . The whole wfh has a massive knock on effect on the economy . Obviously there are going to be some sectors will will remain buoyant but for many we haven't even seen the start of redundancies .

but that was coming anyway what with the covid prop up black holes. I don't think that's necessarily related to wfh. I agree that more redundancies are likely but you specifically said that lots of people will move to wfh will loose their jobs.

@looperb

but that was coming anyway what with the covid prop up black holes. I don't think that's necessarily related to wfh. I agree that more redundancies are likely but you specifically said that lots of people will move to wfh will loose their jobs.

I didn't say that wfh has led to increased corporation tax . What I'm saying is that companies are strictly reviewing wfh practices v office so don't be surprised if there are massive redundancies. We are all going to be hit by this one way or another , some more than others .

by "this" I mean the set back of the economy due to Covid .

People are more likely to lose their jobs working from home because there’s no need to be tied to a location. In which case, why would a company employ an accountant, say, in the U.K. when they can employ one in Poland? It’s these types of middle-class office-based jobs that are under threat.

I've not denied that @VivaMiltonKeynes you specifically put Yes and so many don't seem to realise that yes they are going to be "from home " but without the "w"

Im asking you why only those that move to wfh are going to lose their jobs?

@daisypond I'm not sure, the last 2 companies I worked with outsourced their payroll, loads of companies do this already. Some accountants in London still get paid very well. Plus I don't think many of the Big 4, law firms, investment banks will move to a 100% wfh model.

It's not fair but I don't think the Magic Circle solicitor on 700k reducing his days in the office & his commute from Sevenoaks is going to take that much of hit except maybe tax wise.

@looperb

I've not denied that *@VivaMiltonKeynes you specifically put Yes and so many don't seem to realise that yes they are going to be "from home " but without the "w"*

Im asking you why only those that move to wfh are going to lose their jobs?

Oh it won't only be them of course not but what I am saying is that people who want to wtf are possibly more liable to be targeted due to the ongoing health and safety and other legislation costs of keeping them at home. All this depends on your level of expertise , your geographical area and your work area. I'm glad you are optimistic .

Some accountants in London still get paid very well.
Yes, at the moment. But at some point there won’t be a need for a “London” accountant. Or a “Glasgow” accountant. It’ll be done abroad.

That makes more sense because you implied that only people who wfh would be affected & would in fact be affected, which is what I queried. I wouldn't call it optimism just realism, the haves in our society tend to always win.

people who want to wtf are possibly more liable to be targeted due to the ongoing health and safety and other legislation costs of keeping them at home.

That’s the wrong way round. People are being forced to wfh permanently, whether they like it or not. I’m in this position. People who want to work in the office will be forced out.