To enjoy going to the office? I'd hate to WFH forever.

[YesEllis]

Just from the social side, I'd be so isolated working from home everyday. My office is my only interaction with other adults sometimes. I would become such an introvert working from home permanently. Yet everyone I speak to seems to want to forever! I get their arguments, and the environmental ones of course but it's not for me. Does anyone agree with me? Or is everyone pro WFH ongoing after covid?

You're obviously not unreasonable to enjoy a normal thing.

I don't mean am I actually unreasonable- just shocked me how everyone I've had this convo with had an entirely different opinion. Seems like everyone is embracing WFH and never wants it to end! I'm getting worried about all jobs in future not having that same team feel/social side in the office because everyone's at home. It makes me a bit sad!

I can’t stand wfh full time, it’s been absolutely terrible for me. I always had the ability to wfh a day a week, maybe 2, so it didn’t have such novelty value for me. I can’t wait to be allowed back, we’re coming back on a hybrid basis so I’ll probably do 50/50. I didn’t have a massive commute or hate everyone in my office, despite being a huge introvert, so there have been zero benefits for me and all the downsides. It’s shit and monotonous and relentless and it needs to end.

Same here zero benefits for me and much more of a negative impact on my home/life! On balance I think we need to be back in office even if it is a hybrid approach. Normal
Life must resume!

I prefer wfm but can see your point. I work in an office alone anyways, but in an office block so there are people around

Tbh I've got the best balance now. I pop in to check the post, get stationery and post letters so I can have a catch up. But I can work from home, have nice lunches, take the dog for nice walks, control the temperature (this is a big one for me, office was boiling in the summer and freezing in the winter) and just be generally more comfortable. It also means I'm on hand for the kids more, especially during the holidays.

I really miss the office. I started a new job March 2020, straight from maternity leave. I have still only met 4 colleagues, I don’t know the rest of my team (around 20). I still feel “new” 15m into a new job and don’t really have a grip of logistics in the organisation because I’ve not seen it in action. Makes small things difficult.

Not only that but I’ve been really isolated. I really miss the office. I’ve always been able to WFH if I’ve wanted to and rarely wanted to - maybe a couple of days a month when I’ve really needed to concentrate. It’s been really miserable. But my company have embraced WFH as a cost saving exercise and have no immediate plans for us to go back - if at all. We will be “welcomed” back on a PT basis, one or two days a week

Not everyone is the same. Some do want to go back even part time. If you look at the survey results constantly being done, it's only about a quarter that want to work from home permanently. The rest either want flexi or full time in the office.

I hate the office, particularly mine. It's not a nice office, no nice views, and I don't gain anything from interaction with my colleagues as they are all over the country anyway. I still have to use my computer to talk to them. Makes no sense for us to be in there, and I won't be going back without a fight about it.

Work for me is very much about the being out of the house and the social aspect. WFH would not suit me at all. (it’s not an option anyway).
I would find WFH isolating. So YANBU.

I’m with you @YesEllis. It’s so lonely wfh, and that’s with my DH here wfh too.

My team have been desperate to get in more and more right since the beginning we've never gone fully WFH because of the nature of what we do, but I work in a justice agency and our work is all about working with people, so it doesn't really attract those who like to work alone. I've been in the office all but one day per week throughout and it very much suits me, the type of work I do I definitely don't want in my home environment

I have a couple of friends that WFH. One loves it. No commute no dog Walker required etc. Really happy it’s going to be forever now for her.
The other hates it and says it’s like living at work.

I didn't like wfh. I changed job in February and have worked in the office since then, so much better

DH is hoping to be able to negotiate a mix. Something like three days in the office and two working from home or three days in the office and two from home. I would be too if I hadn't been made redundant.

DD1 has just gone back into her office on a similar basis. She is much happier being able to meet and interact with her team in person sometimes.

I think compromise on both sides (employers and employees) will be needed. Working from home has lots of advantages. Going into the office brings more social interaction for those that need it. DD is a team leader and finds working with and managing her team easier if she does occasionally meet them in person.

DS finishes Uni in September. He’s job hunting and lots are WFH.
It’s up to him of course but for me I’d like him to start work at least initially with people not at home.

I don't like it - luckily the only time I was 100% wfh was when the schools were closed. It's great having the flexibility to wfh if necessary (train strike, boiler repair, such DC) but I hugely missed the social contact all day.

I even missed the commute, although I can't think why now I'm doing it again.

We're all different. I really hope that what we end up with is a mixed model where WFH is facilitated for those who want is, flexible home/office options the same and ditto 100% office working. Now that would be progress. My job is 100% WFH and I love it, but I absolutely understand that it isn't like that for a lot of people.

I thought I would love working from home, how wrong I was! I worked in the office throughout the whole pandemic and only recently started working from home half the week as I increased my hours.

It is so lonely and boring! I think it does depend on the type of job you have, I work on the phones all day taking calls and when it's not busy I am sat twiddling my thumbs with no one to talk to and no idea how long I'll be waiting before the next call. I've realised I'm a lot more socially than I ever thought!

I really love WFH. I used to work in the office alone though so at least at home I'm in the same position of working alone and communicating by phone call to other colleagues out on the road but I can do a few jobs in quiet 10 mins I might have like get the washing pegged out etc.. so I really hope it stays but everyone is different. I'm not particularly sociable so would prefer to work alone anyway.

I’m a SAHM but DH is keen to get back to the office, he always thought he would like WFH but has had enough of it. He likes the interaction and has found it hard starting a new job without having met his colleagues.

As others have said, everyone is different.

Most people I've spoken to would like a mix but I've loved being at home all the time and am so much happier since starting to WFH full time.

@Twilightstarbright

I’m a SAHM but DH is keen to get back to the office, he always thought he would like WFH but has had enough of it. He likes the interaction and has found it hard starting a new job without having met his colleagues.

That’s what I am worried for for DS. I think it’s important in a new job to actually meet colleagues. And be able to just quickly ask a question in person. Seems a bit miserable to start a job in your house alone.

Before lockdown most people were forced to be in the office, during they were forced to stay home. Some like home, some like office. Where possible (job depending), it should be a personal choice and nobody should feel forced to do something they don’t want to do. So I don’t think anyone is being unreasonable.

If course you aren't unreasonable but I am happy to continue working from home forever. What you like about the office is what I dislike, I don't want to chat with colleagues, I just want to get my work done and finish for the day. I am a huge introvert though so glad my company is staying wfh for those who want it.

On MN most posters seem to enjoy wfh and the covid non commute, childcare costs saving etc has been of benefit to them.

But not all. I don't like wfh at all. We'll see what hybrid working eventually looks like after this has all calmed down a bit.

I hate it! I used to be 1 day wfh and 4 in the office. I miss people and social interactions. Also I used to pick up so much information just overhearing conversations which was useful in my role. Unfortunately my company has made it permanent I'm looking for a new job but after 25 years in the company I don't think it'll be easy to find something else. I really feel for the apprentices who have only known wfh, they're missing out so much. I've still got friends that I met at work at 17.