SERIOUSLY??? People may quit if forced to work from home, Rishi Sunak warns ?

[R2221]

No Mr Sunak. Working from home saves me 2 FUCKING HOURS of daily commute + rush hour stress + travel costs.

I work from home now. I am more productive, less stressed and happier.

I'm with Rishi on this one. I know a lot of people who have said if they can't go back into the office they will leave.

I think its particularly hard for single younger people who often live in crowded, shared housing and their "desk" is their bed.

@whetherpigshavewings

A few years ago there was a brilliant idea of a 4-day week (same number of hours, but in 4 rather than 5 days).

I did it for a few years, it was brilliant.

Most adults are used to work long days anyway, doesn't make that much difference and it makes a huge difference to your life and quality of life.

I think the French school system giving the kids a day off in the week is much better too. Much less tiring and better for the children.

It was suggested on "The Museum of Curiosity". I can't recall the guest, but I remember their intro meant it was someone you'd listen to (unlike anyone in government). They'd really worked through it, and said it was a really cheap way to boost the economy massively.

Seems to be a thing

www.4dayweek.co.uk/

Many many years ago, an old revolutionary told me that no government that ever wanted to be re-elected would actually improve the lives of voters citizens. If they actually did that, then there would be nothing to promise for next election. Terrible old cynic or perceptive old partisan ?

@MarshaBradyo

A few years ago there was a brilliant idea of a 4-day week (same number of hours, but in 4 rather than 5 days).

You’d need your clients to be the same. Eg they might be in the US and go elsewhere if they couldn’t reach anyone at their suppliers on day 5.

Of course you could not all take Friday off but you’d lose efficiency as each day a proportion would be off.

not really. The entire office doesn't have to take the same day off! Some people like their Mondays or Fridays, others mid-week.

I have a lot of clients in the middle East, they don't care much for our weekends, we make it work.

If your office or business is inefficient when someone is missing, there's something wrong.

Employees should be able to choose if it’s possible

Many many years ago, an old revolutionary told me that no government that ever wanted to be re-elected would actually improve the lives of voters citizens. If they actually did that, then there would be nothing to promise for next election. Terrible old cynic or perceptive old partisan ?

Oh I am sure we could still come up with a long list, even with a 4 days week!

Maybe we need a referendum. See what 52% of people want ?

Some people love working from home, others don't. I preferred to be in the office but then I had a very short commute.

But even though in an ideal world I wouldn't want to work from home, I don't think I would quit over it in the current job climate, unless I didn't have to work for financial reasons, which most people do.
Top priority surely is to remain employed during difficult times ? (Unless mental well-being was so impacted that working from home would be harmful, in which case that becomes the priority)

@DGRossetti

Maybe we need a referendum. See what 52% of people want ?

How could you organise a referendum when the majority of the voters CAN'T wfh, even if they really wanted to.

Most jobs are not possible at home.

@NotTerfNorCis

I work in IT. It's been gradually moving towards remote working for years. People have overwhelming found over the last year that they prefer it, and I think that if we were forced back into the office full time, some people would look for other jobs where they could work from home.

Yeah this. I work in IT too, there's really no reason I can't do my job from home, nor the rest of my team. I love my job and team, but if necessary I may consider finding a different company to work for to get wfh privileges.

@obelisk89

I'm with Rishi on this one. I know a lot of people who have said if they can't go back into the office they will leave.

I think its particularly hard for single younger people who often live in crowded, shared housing and their "desk" is their bed.

It's up to the employer though ultimately. And if people choose to quit, or look for another job that's their choice. If I had to go back to the office full time, i'd certainly be looking for a job that accommodates at least some home working.

As if Sunak or the government give a fuck about twenty somethings in rented accommodation, struggling with home working. There's valid economic concerns about widespread home working - and commercial property interests - that's what Sunak will be concerned about.

How could you organise a referendum when the majority of the voters CAN'T wfh, even if they really wanted to.

Not really sure why that's an issue to be honest. Let's get the result first and then work out how to deliver it. After all, it's worked in the past.

It's up to the employer though ultimately. And if people choose to quit, or look for another job that's their choice.

This is the crux of it. Most employers will probably opt for a balance, my friend was offered to change her contract to fully remote working, but without London weighting.

Its not so fun wfh when you live in a 3 bed terrace and your desk is on main bedroom as the only space and neighbours dog barks though your zoom calls and your kids can't be kids at home between 9-5
For some its great , for others its a nightmare

(goes into daydream mode)

I wonder if there's a gap in the market for something which is like a cyber cafe for professionals ? So some of that (now) empty office space can be redirected to allow people access to a cubicle with desk, power, WiFi, and (presumably) refreshments ?

OK, not quite WFH, but remote working all the same.

Heck, even as someone who WFH for years, there can be some times you'd want to get out but still work.

(end daydream mode).

That's todays blue sky thinking.

Also its not surprising that the chancellor wants to see the economy back like coffee shops, offices etc all that pay tax
If it doesn't come from these places where do you think the shortfall will be
Like the person who says they go for linch out because they wfh etc , lots all wfh just get 30 mins they have to be online at a set time and still take set breaks and finish times , so not even all wfh jobs will be same

For some its great , for others its a nightmare

Same as the open plan office and 3 hour round commute for others that they had to get on with year in year out.

People have very different preferences.

It would not suit everyone. It can not be compulsory there needs to be a choice.
You are enjoying the benefits which is great but how long have you worked there? I presume you know everyone well and how the business works etc? Can you imagine if you were a new person who can only speak to people over zoom? Not knowing anyone, not knowing their real personalities, not being able to make friends, missing out on the social side of working.
I've been a sahm for ten years and I'm desperate to return to work, not for the money, or a particular role, but because of the social side of it. It is completely soul destroying being at home 24/7. You become lonely, isolated, unfit, unmotivated

@DGRossetti

(goes into daydream mode)

I wonder if there's a gap in the market for something which is like a cyber cafe for professionals ? So some of that (now) empty office space can be redirected to allow people access to a cubicle with desk, power, WiFi, and (presumably) refreshments ?

OK, not quite WFH, but remote working all the same.

Heck, even as someone who WFH for years, there can be some times you'd want to get out but still work.

(end daydream mode).

That's todays blue sky thinking.

Yep they’re happening already

Also confidentiality and gdpr is impossible in some homes to achieve and thats seems forgotten , I can hear some of my neighbours work conversations

Although pp about data and conversations can be an issue in the new spaces you rent individually

Also you’ll have to pay to get out of the house when it used to be free at work

However it could save money in other ways

Working from home costs me more than going to the office. The office is less than a mile from home, all I need is my lunch. I'd either make that as usual or buy a buttie from Aldi.

Working from home costs more in gas, electricity. I'm stuck in the same four walls constantly. I actually miss seeing the people I have worked with for over a decade.

Hopefully I will be able to go back to the office soon. If not, I probably will consider looking for something else. I'm not the most sociable of people and I am struggling with it. I don't like thay my home has become my workplace and I can't switch off properly.

@donewithitalltodayandxmas

Also confidentiality and gdpr is impossible in some homes to achieve and thats seems forgotten , I can hear some of my neighbours work conversations

I wonder how much real grown up due diligence has been carried out for all this WFH craze ? Given how many people are (a) relying on their own equipment and (b) seem to think that is in any way acceptable, I'm going to suggest: "very little". Probably those that have done it to the nth degree will be compensating for those who say "GDPR - yes worst car Audi ever made".

It is completely soul destroying being at home 24/7. You become lonely, isolated, unfit, unmotivated

It is, but this is a lockdown problem over the last year rather than WFH.

I've had days in the office over the last year (mostly WFH) and the office is very quiet, you have to abide by social distancing, so there's no social side to it, even if it does get you out the house.

WFH during lockdown is a different beast to WFH in normal times, when you can have an active social life outside of your job.

@MarshaBradyo

Although pp about data and conversations can be an issue in the new spaces you rent individually

Also you’ll have to pay to get out of the house when it used to be free at work

However it could save money in other ways

I was imagining a per-hour basis. Pretty certain there is already room booking software that can handle that.

I prefer working from home too even though I live five mins walk from my office and can see it on top of the hill from my house!

Sadly they will be making us go back when we can and many of my colleagues are happy about it. Although I get lonely sometimes the benefits outweigh the cons for me.