Page 4 | Working from home forever

Ehupflower · 2021-02-15T22:41:44+00:00

AIBU to be honest about how hard it is to be motivated working from home! I've had to work from home since the middle of March last year, (like lots of other people) and we got told today that this is probably going to be permanent! I love my job but I'm so fed up of working from home full time I'm finding it harder and harder to keep motivated and not be distracted......

Daydreamsinglorioustechnicolor · 16/02/2021 09:57

@Moomin12345

This 100%:

Office working has been the accepted status quo up til now with zero fucks given to those of us who found it demotivating and bad for our mental health.

Yes, absolutely this! A million times over. It's OUR turn to be happy and comfortable now so too bad.

I genuinely don't understand people who want to spend their days in office buildings and who get excited about seeing their colleagues. It seems quite sad to me!

My colleagues are also my friends. Its not sad to me.

Does it have to be either or? Either you're happy or we're happy? Can't there be an element of choice?

Also, I'm assuming no one ever forced anyone to take an office job. There are plenty of other types of jobs you could have had.

middleager · 16/02/2021 09:57

I don't mind Wfh, but I have year 10s and they get on with it. DH Wfh too.

Prior to lockdown I Wfh for 2 days a week. I miss being alone, no dirty plates or everybody making Scrooby Doo style sandwiches at lunch. My children have hollow legs.

However, I'm 47. If I think back to being in my 20s, living alone, the picture is different. At work, my colleagues were good friends. We socialised straight after work, we learnt together, took lunches together and I have fantastic memories of those friends and jobs. I feel sorry for the younger generations who would miss out on that.

Chollok · 16/02/2021 09:58

I cannot tell you how much I hated work social events, they are hell to me. The one good thing about this whole shitshow is that I no longer have to make excuses to avoid them. I am good at my job but I have ADHD and office life is not set up for neurodiverse people.

Chollok · 16/02/2021 09:59

Also, I'm assuming no one ever forced anyone to take an office job. There are plenty of other types of jobs you could have had.

Again, what about those of us who like and enjoy work typically done in offices, but would rather do that work from home?

Figarill · 16/02/2021 10:00

I did a hybrid before & will continue to do a hybrid. But I don't have a long commute & have fun with my colleagues, some are good friends. I also like the mix of environments.

Daydreamsinglorioustechnicolor · 16/02/2021 10:01

@Chollok

Also, I'm assuming no one ever forced anyone to take an office job. There are plenty of other types of jobs you could have had.

Again, what about those of us who like and enjoy work typically done in offices, but would rather do that work from home?

Well I think you should be allowed to, as I said in the rest of my post. And those that prefer to be in the office should also be allowed to do that.

OpenShop · 16/02/2021 10:01

I think a mix during the week would suit me. Having said that I haven’t missed colleagues to be honest. I know that sounds awful but I’m an introvert & I get drained easily by other people. There’s a lot of energy that seems to go into office politics as well, it can be exhausting having to relate to people all day every day.

Figarill · 16/02/2021 10:03

One benefit I guess is some companies will have access to the whole of the UK for a role as opposed to those who could commute.

OublietteBravo · 16/02/2021 10:03

I’ve been WFH for 11 months now. I hate it. I’ll be back in the office 5 days per week as soon as I’m allowed to. I don’t want to WFH ever again, not even for part of the week. It is not for me.

Chollok · 16/02/2021 10:03

Well I think you should be allowed to, as I said in the rest of my post.
And those that prefer to be in the office should also be allowed to do that

But I'm afraid it has never worked that way, has it? Before I went freelance, when I asked to work from home I was told no, this wasn't practical because everyone else was in the office. That's what I'm saying - office work has been the default status quo forever.

Globe22 · 16/02/2021 10:03

Homeworking is great if you have dedicated work space, but in our overcrowded house there is no space for a home office and all of have to try and find space to work and learn and relax often all at the same time. It's noisy and often chaotic and its difficult to clean, put washing on etc because someone needs quiet for zoom calls or live lessons.

SuperbGorgonzola · 16/02/2021 10:04

moomin there's nothing sad about it, i can assure you. My collegues are nice people who are talented and care about what we do. I learn a lot from them and we share a lot of ideas and resources between us. We get together for a ten minute coffee break and a half hour lunch, sometimes we talk about work sometimes we just chat. There are also people from other deparments there to mix with and get to know.

I've met some really good friends through work, and plenty of acquaintances too. I don't understand this assumption that just because work is the initial reason you know these people, that you wouldn't like any of them on a personal level as well.

Daydreamsinglorioustechnicolor · 16/02/2021 10:06

@OpenShop

I think a mix during the week would suit me. Having said that I haven’t missed colleagues to be honest. I know that sounds awful but I’m an introvert & I get drained easily by other people. There’s a lot of energy that seems to go into office politics as well, it can be exhausting having to relate to people all day every day.

Its not awful, its the way you are and thats fine.

There should be much more flexibility and people allowed to choose the pattern that suits them and their work best.

I understand people don't want to socialise at work and never pressure people into socialising at work. I hate it when people feel like they can't just say no to attending things and have to make excuses.

I only get annoyed when posters say its OUR turn to be miserable at work and people who enjoy seeing colleagues are sad.
Why the venom?

That wasn't you Openshop. My reply has rambled on into a more general post.

Daydreamsinglorioustechnicolor · 16/02/2021 10:08

@Chollok

Well I think you should be allowed to, as I said in the rest of my post. And those that prefer to be in the office should also be allowed to do that

But I'm afraid it has never worked that way, has it? Before I went freelance, when I asked to work from home I was told no, this wasn't practical because everyone else was in the office. That's what I'm saying - office work has been the default status quo forever.

I don't disagree. Hopefully now is the time to put that right.

Figarill · 16/02/2021 10:09

I genuinely don't understand people who want to spend their days in office buildings and who get excited about seeing their colleagues. It seems quite sad to me!

I think it's sad to work somewhere you don't enjoy.

Daydreamsinglorioustechnicolor · 16/02/2021 10:10

I've never had Sunday night dread, and look forward to catching up with my work friends on a Monday. How sad for me.

Chollok · 16/02/2021 10:11

I think it's sad to work somewhere you don't enjoy.

I enjoy my job and I like my colleagues, I just don't like an office environment and never have.

Figarill · 16/02/2021 10:11

So you weren't happy before then?

roastpotatoesss · 16/02/2021 10:12

I personally hate WFH- I'm less productive at home, far more distractions, and I've developed a neck injury from not working from a proper desk (I live in a flatshare and there is no space for a normal setup). I feel like I no longer have a work life balance as I'm effectively sleeping at the office, I'm more stressed, I miss people at work, I cry most days.

However, I understand that other people will feel differently to me and will find WFH better for their lives and situations.

I do find the HA NOW YOU'RE FORCED TO WORK DIFFERENTLY, SEE HOW YOU LIKE IT!!! brigade a bit odd though, it's not the fault of people who miss the office that you were unable to WFH previously.

Chollok · 16/02/2021 10:13

So you weren't happy before then?

I've worked from home for 5 years, and I've been very happy all that time. Before that, yes, I was unhappy in all my jobs due to having to physically work in an office. The same reason I was unhappy at school. Wasn't bullied, had friends, did well academically, but hated having to physically show up somewhere from X time to X time and be around people all day in a rigid structure.

Chollok · 16/02/2021 10:14

it's not the fault of people who miss the office that you were unable to WFH previously.

I mean it kind of is though as these were the people who assumed you couldn't possibly be productive unless you were physically face to face with colleagues.

Daydreamsinglorioustechnicolor · 16/02/2021 10:15

Nope. I've never assumed that.

roastpotatoesss · 16/02/2021 10:15

@Chollok

it's not the fault of people who miss the office that you were unable to WFH previously.

I mean it kind of is though as these were the people who assumed you couldn't possibly be productive unless you were physically face to face with colleagues.

I've never once assumed this, nor am I important enough in my company to have any influence over whether the company allows WFH or not. It's possible to enjoy working the office whilst still supporting other people's choice to not.

Daydreamsinglorioustechnicolor · 16/02/2021 10:15

I can't be. But I'm not you.

Chollok · 16/02/2021 10:16

Daydreamsinglorioustechnicolor you personally might not have done, but that was the default culture and assumption.