Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you do any household tasks whilst WFH?

112 replies

6thisntlast · 23/07/2021 10:41

I'd raced through loads of work this morning and have spent the last 15 mins unloading the dishwasher, sticking a wash on and putting a deep conditioner in my hair Grin I raced back to check my emails every 5 minutes but nothing has come in.

I expect I'll be pretty busy this afternoon so I'm thinking about continuing this for the next hour or so as I have a few other bits I need to do and would like to get the dogs walked on my lunch.

AIBU? I don't usually do this, hence me feeling guilty and asking. I'm usually so flat out or even if I'm not I'm sat at my desk finding little bits to do, but today I just don't have the enthusiasm to do that.

If I keep checking my emails, WIBU to get a few more chores done before lunch?

Do people do this if they have a lull in work, or do you ask for more work, find more work, stay sat where you are?

OP posts:
dementedma · 23/07/2021 20:33

Wonder how many men wfh are also squeezing in housework?

ragged · 23/07/2021 20:34

I clock off when I go do housework. I work flexitime so only attribute the hours I spent doing work as work time. I allow for loo & quick tea-fetching breaks as work 'break time'.

i might browse Twitter on phone during very dull telecons. Try to find some actual work to do in this time, even if it's just email culls.

pigeonpies · 23/07/2021 20:46

I assume you're paid a fixed salary?

You give them your availability in exchange for money, that's the transaction.

If, at a particular point in the day they don't need your availability then it's fine to use that time to do something else.

You would've been available at any given notice, I would imagine?

BestZebbie · 23/07/2021 22:07

I'm self employed, which is slightly different as part of the definition is that you can't be tied to set hours, but I do small household/admin jobs in the day when I start to zone out - but the other side of the coin is that I do at least some work at my computer most evenings too.

deadflowers · 23/07/2021 22:17

Not really, other than unpacking a dish washer if it needs it.

I do take breaks, go for a short walk, etc. Our team are in constant contact all day, and on calls with a few minutes notice (at home, or in the office)

Stawl · 23/07/2021 22:18

Yes, wfh for a couple of years, often have bits of downtime and boss actively encourages us to use that time at home and do whatever we need to do chore wise or to go do something, rather than just sitting on slack for no reason

RichardMarxisinnocent · 23/07/2021 22:22

Don't get me wrong, I'm not glued to my computer for the entire day. When I worked at home I did sometimes put a wash on when making a cup of tea, and now I am back in the office I do have the odd chat with a colleague (though there aren't many of them in the office so not many chats). What I wouldn't do is spend hours on housework if wfh, or take the afternoon off because I have finished what I planned to do, partly because as I said there is always something else to do, but also because I'd feel as if I was wasting public money by not doing enough work each day.

MonkeyPuddle · 23/07/2021 22:28

DP works from home, I don’t. I peg a wash out the night before, he brings it in on his lunch x 3 a week, he cleans the bathroom x 1 a week, he does 90% of bathtimes.

FrankButchersDickieBow · 23/07/2021 22:36

Surely this is one of the perks from wfh.

I carry my work phone everywhere with me and have my laptop on the loudest setting, so if I hear an email come in, or the phone rings, I'm not missing anything.

But yes, doing a wash, unloading the dishwasher etc., definitely a perk.

Working in the living room, with Place in the Sun on in the background, yep, perk.

Now things are returning to normal, we are in the office a couple of days, home a couple of days.

It's perfect.

MaMelon · 23/07/2021 22:39

Now things are returning to normal, we are in the office a couple of days, home a couple of days

We’re the same, some time at home, some time in the office. I’m really hoping I can make this permanent - I’m more productive at work and at home as a result.

Passthecake30 · 23/07/2021 22:41

I hang out the washing and get it in if it rains. Sometimes I might give the kids rooms a quick once over, easier when they are not there. If I’m on a boring Teams meeting, camera off, I might do my tesco shop. I have a huge lunch break, where I exercise, shower and relax (1.5-2hrs) and work later instead.

KitKatKong · 23/07/2021 22:42

I do more work at home as no distractions. However as it's so intense, I do chores for a break! I have some colleagues who watch a show on Netflix!

Ameanstreakamilewide · 23/07/2021 22:43

I'm a big fan of TOMM, which works perfectly with wfh.

A little job here and a little job there...hoover up, put some washing on, clean the bathroom, make the beds, etc.

Tidy mind, too! 👍

user1471538283 · 24/07/2021 08:58

I use my lunch break time spread over the day to fill the dishwasher after breakfast and hang the laundry out. So it is just bits really.

Itsbehindme · 24/07/2021 09:42

Yes, I'll do a few bits of household work when I'd be making some team, during lunch, etc. DH also did the same when was WFH. Helps keep on top of things.

It made me realize how little of teenage kids do around the house!!

PearlclutchersInc · 24/07/2021 09:48

I work longer WFH than when I had to go into the office. I do need to be better organised though and ignore people putting in lunch time meetings. Bah!

Ijustknowitstimetogo · 24/07/2021 09:51

Yes I put washing on etc. You’re supposed to take a short break (5/ 10 mins) from the screen every hour.

It’s no different from the constant distractions and irrelevant conversations in the office.

Lockeddownagain · 24/07/2021 09:51

I've never been so organised as the first lockdown when I was working at home. Got my work and loads of jobs done

gogohm · 24/07/2021 09:54

Depends, if I start earlier, take less lunch etc I feel it's ok to take equivalent breaks plus I can do things whilst boiling a kettle etc when let's face it you would probably be chatting in the office. I have a set work load which I manage day to day, no one else to cover so if I slack I need to work extra to make up for it. I'm back in the office now though

PollyDarton1 · 24/07/2021 10:09

I've been WFH for over a year and will continue to do so irrespective of pandemic status as my company is a good 100 miles away from my home.

I do lots of household tasks during the day - dishwasher, cat trays, hanging washing up, sweeping, stripping beds etc. I get an hours lunch though so majority of it is done in that time. I make sure I take a 5 min break every hour and have found that my productivity is far better than it would be in the office with distractions.

LindaEllen · 24/07/2021 10:10

I work from home, freelance, and have done since I graduated in 2012. Therefore my situation is a little different as I don't work for a company to a specific schedule - rather I let my clients know when I can get their work done by, and I can do it whenever I like so long as I meet the deadline.

Therefore I do end up doing housework during the day, but this means I regularly have to carry on working after dinner. I'll wash the dishes, wipe the kitchen down, wash/hang washing, go and do the shopping .. on a Saturday (I have that joy to come today once I've got my arse in gear!) the house gets a proper clean from top to bottom, hoovering, bleaching and whatever else I don't have time to do in the week.

This is a constant point of contention in our home at the moment, as 17yo sits in his room doing absolutely nothing all day, and comes down ONCE a day for his tea, letting me do everything that needs to be done.

EatingAllThePies · 24/07/2021 10:12

The nature of my job means i don't get chance during the day but I do a school run now at least twice a week which I wouldn't have done before so that is similar. I suspect if you're anything like me I am now doing an extra 3 hours a day minimum on top of what I would in the office so I think squeezing a few chores in is perfectly reasonable.

Devondonkey · 24/07/2021 10:17

MN is full of people who spend their time putting on laundry, conditioning their hair and putting stuff in the slow cooker, while also massively boosting their productivity and being furious about being hauled back to the office. Hmm.

cricketmum84 · 24/07/2021 10:22

No way. I don't have time! My lunch break is exactly that... my break. I work from 8.30am until gone 8pm most days just to stay on top of stuff.

HalzTangz · 24/07/2021 10:28

@6thisntlast

I'd raced through loads of work this morning and have spent the last 15 mins unloading the dishwasher, sticking a wash on and putting a deep conditioner in my hair Grin I raced back to check my emails every 5 minutes but nothing has come in.

I expect I'll be pretty busy this afternoon so I'm thinking about continuing this for the next hour or so as I have a few other bits I need to do and would like to get the dogs walked on my lunch.

AIBU? I don't usually do this, hence me feeling guilty and asking. I'm usually so flat out or even if I'm not I'm sat at my desk finding little bits to do, but today I just don't have the enthusiasm to do that.

If I keep checking my emails, WIBU to get a few more chores done before lunch?

Do people do this if they have a lull in work, or do you ask for more work, find more work, stay sat where you are?

Each time I make a drink I do a chore (load/unload dishwasher, do washing or hang washing out for example) whilst waiting for kettle to boil. At lunch I make lunch and prepare the evening meal ready to pop in the oven after work. I don't however stop work for chunks of time to do housework when an employer is paying me to spend my time working for them