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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:
MumofPsuedoAdult · 15/03/2021 22:26

I completely agree OP. I enjoy my work a lot less without the interaction and 'water cooler' moments.

HalzTangz · 15/03/2021 22:26

@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 personally prefer working from home, I am able to concentrate without distractions and producing far greater quality work. I would love to continue this, however think my company will do 3 in the office, 2 at home
JeanClaudeVanDammit · 15/03/2021 22:27

I miss my office a lot more than I thought I would. Haven’t been allowed back in since 20 March last year. Hoping to go back 50/50 sometime in the summer. If I found out we were going 100% WFH I’d be looking for another job.

jelly79 · 15/03/2021 22:27

Ah OP this is so sad and you are entitled to feel like this. Everyone is different but sounds like you may be best looking for something that will fulfil your needs

RampantIvy · 15/03/2021 22:27

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

In my case it is both. I understand where you are coming from and disagree about the “hyperbole”. That remark was entirely unnecessary. The only thing I don't miss about going to work in an office is the commute.

Everyone I work with feels the same, and when it is safe to go back to the office we will still be mainly working from home, but going to the office now and again.

I miss dressing up for work and mingling with other people. DH has worked from home for years, so, for me, it will be a change not to see him all the time.

Can you imagine being a school leaver / young adult and your first experience of working is in your childhood bedroom on a laptop, trying not to disturb people in your family who are also listening and offering advice about 'how to work', having little social contact with anyone you work with except zooming meetings, not meeting the OH you may go on to marry and never really learning professional etiquette (bar dressing top half appropriately for zooming) that underpins the rest of your career.....and we're supposed to be more worried about mental health nowadays.

That is such a chilling thought.

Introverts, people who don’t have nice workmates, people with awful commutes and people whose offices are too hot/cold/uncomfortable will prefer working from home. Sociable people who like their workmates, people with poor internet and less than ideal working conditions at home can’t wait to go back to the office.

TableNiner · 15/03/2021 22:28

I’ve missed the variety of life this past year, a big part of that is office life. I am less stressed overall wfh as you can plan your day and not have as many interruptions but I’ve also lost something and would hate to not go to an office at all.

It seems quite a quick reaction for companies bearing in mind retention could become an issue and because I feel companies will lose out if staff can’t organically interact. There’s a lot around motivating staff and the biases we have managing remote staff.

It will suit some people, though, so I agree with a pp that there’ll be quite a lot of movement as employees look for the set up that works best for them.

Quaversplease · 15/03/2021 22:30

I've worked from home for the last 7 years and love it. But we are a small team, only 5 and are very close. We call each other frequently to ask questions, bounce ideas and for a vent. We also have a WhatsApp group which includes our Manager for bigger issues.

It can really be a good thing but you need good communications.

OldScrappyAndHungry · 15/03/2021 22:30

Agreed. I think of some of the utter shitholes dh and I lived in during our 20s, going to work was an escape! Sitting on a sofa in a damp flat would have been utter shit for my mental health. At my wedding, aged 30, half of my hen party of 14 women were those I’d met through work!

redcarbluecar · 15/03/2021 22:32

I get what you mean OP. Hyperbolise away. I think we’ll see quite a few changes to working life. I’m in education and went back last week, and am delighted to have colleagues around me again.

Racoonworld · 15/03/2021 22:32

Not all companies are doing this. Mine will be half working in office half at home every week.

How does your office propose to provide space for those who can’t work at home for various reasons (crowded house share for example)?

Number3BigCupOfTea · 15/03/2021 22:34

I'd hate this too OP. I have to go in to the office, essential worker (although not frontline) so I think I'm lucky. I'd have gone mad stuck at home in this tiny house with two messy fighting teenagers. I'm a single parent as well so work fulfils enough of my social needs that I am always glad to get home. I wouldn't swap with you. I hope they start bringing people back in the office this summer.

Original poster
Youngatheart00 · 15/03/2021 22:36

@Racoonworld that’s a very good point and I’ve no idea. I know several of the younger staff have moved back home with parents to avoid crowded house share situations and living out of a single room. But that’s not sustainable for them forever.

It’s all very well and good for the older generation who are also in senior positions with massive home offices and no need to network as they know everyone already. It’s very unprogressive for anyone who doesn’t have that ideal set up. Plus I’m sure there’s going to be a hell of a lot of people off sick with back problems due to unsuitable set up and no breaks from laptop work

OP posts:
Gilly12345 · 15/03/2021 22:37

Lots of people have lost jobs in the last 12 months and will continue to do so, this is unfortunate for you but if you are not happy then look for another job.

HalzTangz · 15/03/2021 22:37

@Viviennemary

It will cause a lot of mental health problems because of isolation and lack of real interaction with colleagues. Bad idea.
Why would it? Lots of people.have WFH full time for years with no issues to their health.
Original poster
Youngatheart00 · 15/03/2021 22:38

Also to say that I was very supportive of temporary WFH during covid. Impressed even, at how everyone adapted. However, to make it perm even after the summer when everyone(ish) has been vaccinated is a sucker punch.

OP posts:
Ellpellwood · 15/03/2021 22:42

Why would it? Lots of people.have WFH full time for years with no issues to their health.

Yes, because they applied for WFH positions. DH has done it for years.

It's a bit shit if you work partly to get out of the house (me).

thecatandthevicar · 15/03/2021 22:43

We are still in lockdown!

Once things actually reopen and we can all have a life again, you won't feel so stuck between 2 rooms. It seems many people have forgotten, but we are only supposed to be out for exercise and essential travel. That's not real life.

There will be jobs with managers or restrictions meaning people will have to be in an office. Nothing stops you for moving.

For decades people have tried to find more opportunity to work from home, workers had ruined their health and mental health with commute, unsuitable working condition, office politics. They finally have a chance to get a break.

There's nothing wrong with gaining a social life out of the office.

Again, it will not be the way it is today, lockdown is not forever.

HalzTangz · 15/03/2021 22:43

@RachelsHoliday21

Sounds crap tbh. In time you may get a routine with meeting colleagues/friends etc for lunch etc.

Will they fund you a desk in a co-working space? Do they contribute anything for people's electricity bills etc?

You can claim cost of desk, electric, heating back and get tax code changes to pay less tax whilst working from home
thecatandthevicar · 15/03/2021 22:44

@Ellpellwood

Why would it? Lots of people.have WFH full time for years with no issues to their health.

Yes, because they applied for WFH positions. DH has done it for years.

It's a bit shit if you work partly to get out of the house (me).

but there were many more who would have loved nothing more than WFH but couldn't find any opportunity.

There will be enough companies requesting attendance to find a job in an office if you want one. It just gives more opportunities for people who were desperate to WFH but these jobs didn't exist.

Holidaylongoverdue · 15/03/2021 22:45

It's a long time since I worked in an office but I have missed the friendships you make in one: being with people in good times and bad. I definitely spent more time with people in the office than with my husband who worked very long hours at the time. I can completely understand you feeling lonely and fed up. If working from home isn't for you perhaps a change in career might be something to consider?

Sloelydoesit · 15/03/2021 22:46

I hate WFH too. I'm bored of it. Hate the fact that my home is a workplace and Iiss the separation. My company has expanded during lockdown and there isn't even the space for everyone to go in. I miss the commute, the energy. The soft interactions with people in the kitchen. The drinks after work.
I am still working hard but I worked better and I progressed faster when in the office.
I had today as annual leave. I didn't even know how to enjoy my home on a day off.

TonTonMacoute · 15/03/2021 22:47

I think that this situation has shown that people can work productively from home and if that results in more flexible working that will be a good thing. However, I think that many areas of work just would not be able to function properly without people spending time together in an office.

I worked in a creative industry, it was enjoyable and I met some of my best friends at work.

DS is in his final year at university, like the rest of his cohort, he has had a pretty shit two years, and the thought of him starting work in a job based at home, only meeting his colleagues virtually, is profoundly depressing.

RampantIvy · 15/03/2021 22:47

Why would it? Lots of people.have WFH full time for years with no issues to their health.

I fell that this is a bit of a disingenuous comment. Those who have worked from home for years will have chosen to do so. They probably have enough room for an office set up, good internet connection, have progressed sufficiently up the career ladder or are working for themselves.

The OP is talking about those of us where WFH happened unexpectedly, and who maybe don't have ideal working conditions at home. We aren't all introverts who dislike our workmates.

For a lot of people their only social interaction is at work.

Ellpellwood · 15/03/2021 22:47

There will be enough companies requesting attendance to find a job in an office if you want one. It just gives more opportunities for people who were desperate to WFH but these jobs didn't exist.

I'm fine, as we are now back in the office, but had I wanted out I don't think I'd have found another one 10 minutes away offering me 2.5 days a week, health cover and bonuses. It must be hard if you loved your job to decide between keeping it and risking a move when you'd have otherwise stayed.

InCinemasWednesday · 15/03/2021 22:48

Completely agree with you, I am terrified at the thought of having to WFH forever and I'll be looking for another job if that happens.
Apparently introverts are supposed to be loving it but this introvert is finding that sitting for 8 hours a day on my own in front of a screen at home is just no way to live life. It's utterly miserable and soul destroying.