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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel sad that the world of work as we knew it has gone forever?

809 replies

Youngatheart00 · 15/03/2021 21:07

My work confirmed today we are moving to 100% remote working and will only get together a few times a year for team meetings. I find this so sad. I loved my working life - I know realise so much of that was down to the people. Now all I do all day is stare at screens and give myself a migraine.

They are justifying it by saying ‘most people’ want this despite me never seeing any such survey. It’s a blatant cost cutting exercise.

Anyone else fed up and lonely?

OP posts:
AgentJohnson · 15/03/2021 21:14

I can understand your personal disappointment but the hyperbole was really not necessary.

JemimaMuddledUp · 15/03/2021 21:15

I really miss my office. I miss being able to bounce ideas around with my colleagues. I miss chats in the kitchen waiting for the kettle to boil. I miss going out for lunch on a Friday with colleagues.

Meetings over Zoom are just not the same.

Usagi12 · 15/03/2021 21:16

Speak for yourself, most people I know are back in the office from 12 April. Just find a new job and cut the drama!

Pootle40 · 15/03/2021 21:17

@Youngatheart00

My work confirmed today we are moving to 100% remote working and will only get together a few times a year for team meetings. I find this so sad. I loved my working life - I know realise so much of that was down to the people. Now all I do all day is stare at screens and give myself a migraine.

They are justifying it by saying ‘most people’ want this despite me never seeing any such survey. It’s a blatant cost cutting exercise.

Anyone else fed up and lonely?

I agree with you. I need a mix of office and home.
ChameleonClara · 15/03/2021 21:17

I understand op, my work has changed and looks unlikely to return, and it's a lot to take in.

Flowers
Ginuwine · 15/03/2021 21:17

@AgentJohnson

I can understand your personal disappointment but the hyperbole was really not necessary.
"not necessary"...?

ha - I don't think it was that bad! People really love to have a dig for any spurious reason on here.

OP, I think YANBU, it's hard mentally for people to adjust especially if they had a good work camaraderie and friendships there.

However literally all friends I know who do office-based work, say how happy they are not to be in the car or on the train, and how they don't have to sit in offices eating packed lunches and enduring small talk.

The COVID-19 pandemic has essentially given office based businesses a free 'trial run' at moving to home based working. Many businesses will have downscaled in office space to maintain their existence. They won't want to go back to the likes of Regus cap in hand and ask for more office space, just because a few folk like a chat across desks.

NailsNeedDoing · 15/03/2021 21:18

Honestly, I’d be gutted to be in your position right now and I’m thankful to be in a job where this can’t happen, even if the pay is rubbish. I completely understand why you’re upset.

AgnesNaismith · 15/03/2021 21:18

I empathise but being in the office gave me terrible anxiety so it works best for me. Having said that, once a week would be perfectly fine and the odd trip to London for conferences I’ll definitely miss.

ludothedog · 15/03/2021 21:19

That's tough and yes to it being a cost cutting excersise. I'm already back in the office although management don't want us to be. I do think its swings and roundabouts though. Give it a couple of years and they'll want us all back in the office again. I'm old, I've seen a few cycles of these changes. It too will change back

Palegreenstars · 15/03/2021 21:19

I’d be so happy if my work did that. No commute. More time with friends and family. Snacks, temperature, music, smells of my choice. I hope to go in once every few weeks eventually. I think I would have found it harder when I was younger and had more of a work social life.

Roonerspismed · 15/03/2021 21:19

YANBU. I’m okay with it but I completely understand why others are not. Especially young people, in their first job. The after work drinks, the banter, the chat. It was fun!

MaverickDanger · 15/03/2021 21:20

Plenty of other companies won’t be going to full-time wfh so if it’s such a deal breaker, have a look at other jobs.

Most big firms I know are offering flexible options with 1-2 days in the office or at home.

Personally wfh permanently works really well for me so it’s a big draw for me to stay with my current firm.

Original poster
Youngatheart00 · 15/03/2021 21:21

It’s not hyperbole or drama....it’s genuinely my life. I can’t have children. My career was my identity.

OP posts:
Kljnmw3459 · 15/03/2021 21:21

I wish my company decided that too.

BluePheasant · 15/03/2021 21:22

YANBU but that's how you feel.

But for so many, the chance to work more from home is life changing. Less exhausted from commuting. More time with their children and/or partners during the week.

Also environmentally, the less cars on the roads the better. And for those who have to drive to work, their commute might be shorter, safer and less stressful due to reduced congestion.

Remember, things are rubbish right now, we are still in lockdown. But this will be over soon and you can socialise outside of work and things won't feel so bad.

HarryLimeFoxtrot · 15/03/2021 21:23

I want the separation between work and home back. I did get a survey about the “future of work” - I indicated that I wanted to go back to the office 5 days per week. Fingers crossed this is allowed (I’m already looking at the job market in case it isn’t) - I’m not going to continue working from home living at work a moment longer than I have to. It’s having a massive impact on my mental health, and I cannot do this long term.

WonkyCactus · 15/03/2021 21:23

I was just thinking earlier that this has been the best and easiest year of my working life. I used to get so stressed about interactions with colleagues and the social side of work. Now I don't have to worry about any of that, I can just get on with the job. Dreading having to go back into the office, even part time.

Original poster
Youngatheart00 · 15/03/2021 21:24

I would have been quite happy with a balance between wfh and the office. I understand flexibility helps many people.

I’m curious how many ‘I love my job’ people say that because of the actual work they do or because of the people and teams they worked with

OP posts:
Acesulfame · 15/03/2021 21:25

I’d always worked full-time in the office, no home-working. I really miss the office and if my workplace went fully remote, I’d be looking for another job.

ChameleonClara · 15/03/2021 21:25

@Youngatheart00

It’s not hyperbole or drama....it’s genuinely my life. I can’t have children. My career was my identity.
It's not drama, it's a big change.

In time maybe you'll find a new workplace?

TheYearOfSmallThings · 15/03/2021 21:25

I agree, OP (although of course most jobs will resume as before). I know a lot of people who will be wfh permanently now, and most are delighted. But for me it would be a disaster. I have never dreamed of sitting in a room on my own all day! Human interaction is so very important

I'm like Ariel...I want to be where the people are.

MarshaBradyo · 15/03/2021 21:25

That’s really tough if it’s not what you prefer op

Stuck all the time on zoom wouldn’t be for me either

Can you say which sector it is? Curious who is doing this generally

Original poster
Youngatheart00 · 15/03/2021 21:26

Yes I think in time I’d take a pay cut for another job that did have human interaction.

And those that think that can come solely via a video call....are wrong IMHO.

OP posts:
TrickorTreacle · 15/03/2021 21:26

On the environmental and congestion front, home-working means having less cars on the road. However, I agree with you OP, in that I prefer to meet colleagues in person too and the kitchen banter that goes with it like you said. My organisation is proposing a split regime, meaning some home-working and some office based. That will be the best of both worlds, but it depends on how full or empty our offices will be if only some of us are in at any one time.

JaceLancs · 15/03/2021 21:27

We went back to office last August and now have a mixture of WFH and office based
1/3 of my staff want to work all of their hours in office
1/3 want to WFH permanently
1/3 want a flexible mixture of the 2
I will ask those who want to WFH permanently to join the flexible mixture of the 2 when restrictions end as it shares the workload more evenly
In your position I would start looking forward new jobs that work better for you

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