To think WFH permanently is a game changer?

[MiaMarshmallows]

For working parents as it saves on childcare costs as well as commuting etc?
DP been told he can wfh indefinitely and it's going to improve his lifestyle so much more. For everyone saying he will be outsourced, not a chance. He is very specialised in what he does and earns a very good wage for it.
One good thing to come out of all this at least.

Been doing it for years. You still need child care with young kids, but not say after school care for a 10yo.

@SomeRandomerOnBumsnet

I bloody love WFH, I get to spend time with my Ddogs and DH who also works from home. We have separate working spaces and come together to exercise and have lunch.

My productivity is up if anything as I can be 'on' all the time. Previously, I'd generally 'shut up shop' at 7pm ish after my commute, now I feel that the compromise of WFH means that I should be available as much as possible and that's ok with me. It's in my interest to show my boss / firm that I can work effectively from the comfort of my home..

As for the social aspect, I have friends outside of the office as a lot of people do...and inter office relationships are frowned upon in most professional environments, offices aren't meant to be some sort of dating platform, so that argument doesn't stick with me.

You sound really sorted and settled, self-motivated, great physical set up and obviously happy with your relationship....and that is great for you and clearly WFH is just a delight all round. Maybe I'm inadequete in some way but I find it dull and de-motivating, I am sick of my house which I previously loved, I don't use work as a dating platform but it does get me out in the world where there's a greater possibility of maybe meeting someone. Trust me, I'm a lively and engaged person and a great colleague and not a moaning Minnie - and am still mostly that way - but your position sounds very privileged to be honest and is not really reflective of the messiness of lots of peoples lives, their need for company and buzz or even distraction. And to get away sometimes from the people they love.

RedcurrantPuff it saves on wraparound childcare costs for children of a certain age (say 9 to 12) who are a bit too young to be left at home alone, but old enough to be sensible and not interrupt an adult who is working.

@lioncitygirl

No sorry I disagree - personally I have seen people regress when working from home as it’s so isolating.m - my husband being one of them. And you can’t really work when you have a 6 year old home early afternoon surely - my kids finish school at 315 and home by 430pm, the work day doesn’t finish at 430 so what am I to do with them from 430-530? They are 6 and 4, and my 6 year old cannot occupy himself for 2 hours, nevermind my 4 year old. Who’s going to pick up the slack when the parent has to deal with the child? Other team mates? No thanks.

But surely you'd just keep whatever childcare arrangements you had previously? Most contracts have that you can't be watching your children while working (in normal times) and while with older self sufficient children them being in house would be fine ...younger children you don't work the same time as looking after ... childcare savings will come where there is less time in after-school club due to no commute ....or partners staggering their days for example I work 8-4 and my husband does drop offs and starts work later ...(Children currently in nursery) ....the option to WFH and flex when you work (obviously still doing your full hours) opens up a better work life balance ...our firm has reduced office space and are planning for a lot more flex on where people work ...there will be times when business needs mean we will be required to be in the office but we are being treated like adults who can plan there own working ...this allows for people to choose to be in all week if they wish or to do a mix of WFH/ office

We had a surprising amount of new starters since the pandemic.

Sending the kit originally had a cost, but they are working just as well as anyone else.

You don't need to be in an office to do a job properly. You are probably more efficient at home if you confuse your place of work with your social club. The amount of hours wasting in an office with ridiculous tea rounds, inane chats, "meetings" etc... Work more and free your time to enjoy yourself.

But surely you'd just keep whatever childcare arrangements you had previously?

exactly

after-school clubs are opened - or reopening
child minders are opened

People should have learnt to stop confusing working and childcare by now!

I wonder if companies will dictate some rules about wfh with childcare, as this has now become “acceptable”. For a while toddlers busting in was charming, but long term not so much. Especially in customer contact roles.

I agree that wfh may be the new “parent at home track”. Having it all (ie paying no childcare) is impossible: you can’t sit there with kids roaming around and you doing the washing and getting meals and work effectively.

My DH is really struggling with WFH. The first couple of months were ok but now I can really see how it’s affecting him. He doesn’t have any local friends or family (other than our actual household) and has only seen his friends once in 11 months. He’s put on some weight due to a less active day and despite being about £850 or even more per month better off due to no commuting, not buying lunches or after work drinks he’d prefer to be back in the office.

For everyone saying he will be outsourced, not a chance

I don't think outsourcing to other countries will be a big thing but definitely around the UK.

All those people worried about little coffee shops in town centres etc closing down - they will be full of people 'WFH' like they were before lockdown! The only difference is that people will be going to their local cafes instead of commuting and going to cafes somewhere further away.

@TheKeatingFive

Top grads aren’t going to work for firms who only only WFH. The firm will end up only with staff with caring responsibilities.

Exactly. What company wants that?

I was a top grad (Oxbridge) a few years ago and I'd have jumped at the chance, as would lots of my friends. Young millenials / gen z value work life balance more than any previous generation (or perhaps are just less tough / more precious about maintaining it).

A lot of "hubs" are opening or will open for those people who are desperate to leave the house too

If you need a more formal working environment for a few hours a week, you can find it easily.

The pandemic has shown the old fashion working way is no longer valid.

I spent 3 years working from home. Loved it for the first year or so. After that I just felt like I lived at work. I became demotivated and depressed. Left for a job where I could go to the office.
I’ve worked mainly from home again throughout Covid and hated every minute. I don’t want to be forced to WFH again long term.

@theleafandnotthetree

You are completely right to point this out and I should have said that I know I am in a privileged position. I'm sorry if I came across as boasty. I guess I just love WFH

@theleafandnotthetree also I guess I should have pointed out that I'm a bit of an introvert, which plays a big part in how I feel.

And when I was a grad (corporate banking) it wouldn’t have been anywhere near the same experience had I been working from home. I loved every minute of the 2 years I spent on the grad scheme in central London. I’m glad I didn’t have to do it from home.

@therealteamdebbie

We had a surprising amount of new starters since the pandemic.

Sending the kit originally had a cost, but they are working just as well as anyone else.

You don't need to be in an office to do a job properly. You are probably more efficient at home if you confuse your place of work with your social club. The amount of hours wasting in an office with ridiculous tea rounds, inane chats, "meetings" etc... Work more and free your time to enjoy yourself.

But what if work is one of the places you enjoy yourself? Is that not allowed now? God forbid we have cups of tea or inane chat or do anything that isn't 100% work or interactions with people who are our families or pre-existing friends. Or exercise of course. Again, the drift is towards us all being in our little silos or bubbles, only interacting with those just like us. We need more of the Agora these days, not less

I hate it, and it looks like we’re expected to do it forever. We might be ‘allowed’ 1-2 days per week in the office. So I’m looking for a new job. I’ll also look to see whether I can afford to drop to 2 days per week. What I will not be doing is working at home. Not ever. I will be working in the office or not at all. WFH is destroying my mental health and making me deeply unhappy. This is not my new normal. The only thing keeping me going was the thought that it was temporary.

For a while toddlers busting in was charming, but long term not so much.

it never was, but in the middle of a lockdown, it was tolerated.

Now the early-years providers have reopened, it is no longer acceptable to see a toddler. When the primary school reopen in a week, it won't be acceptable to hear children either.

Most people have managed very well to stay professional.

Maybe the poster works in a school?
Or another sector that is allowed to open?
My DH has worked (in a physical workspace) throughout lockdown. He is not a critical or key worker but some sectors have been allowed to open.

Very true, I work in retail and I’m expected to go into work. Not a keyworker, so not entitled to a school place. Not everyone can work from home

I like the idea of it, I also like the idea of me being able to get a job that was normally based in London or Manchester that I never would go for due to location. If it then meant a couple of trips to London a month, it would be worth it for the higher salary.

the thing is a massive switch to remote working will impact on a lot of jobs, just think of the infrastructure that goes into the commute & daily 9-5. Yes some jobs will switch & local high streets will evolve but that won't be overnight.
And what about people who can't wfh eg supermarket staff, paramedics, teachers etc should they pay double to commute?

[quote SomeRandomerOnBumsnet]@theleafandnotthetree

You are completely right to point this out and I should have said that I know I am in a privileged position. I'm sorry if I came across as boasty. I guess I just love WFH [/quote]
Damn you, you had to go and be nice and humble too!

Sorry, I was probably a bit hard on you, you sound like you have a great set up and that's brilliant

@BlueSoop

I would love to wfh but the fact is most employers want people in. Imo we will end up with a social divide where poorly paid workers are wfh and higher paid workers are required in the office.

In US it’s the opposite. Well except for those really higher paid ones who only go to office 4 days a week to remind people that they’re important and then demand Zoom calls on the one day they’re at home so we see these HUGE home offices😳.

I've just applied for a permanent WFH role. If I get it, I will need to be in the office about 4 x a month but these offices are spread geographically so people can apply from all over.

My current role has WFH since covid and management has been pleasantly surprised how well it's worked. Before there was a definite distrust of their employees. I hope to at going forward flexible working will be the buzzword although I imagine some office presence will be required.

However, I have my family and friends already and whilst I have made friends with colleagues I'm not overly bothered about making new friends in a new role. I expect it's very different for younger colleagues.

I do save money on childcare as I can drop DC at school and then start later, making up the time throughout the day. I intend to pay for after school childcare though. Can't work properly when they're home demanding snacks at 3.30.

It's definitely got benefits but I am not blind to the drawbacks.