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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Anyone else struggling to feel engaged with work since WFH?

117 replies

Blankspace4 · 13/09/2021 15:11

At the start of the pandemic everyone just got on with it and we were so busy. But now I feel in a real slump and I struggle with enthusiasm and engagement and I can tell I’m not the only one. My work show no signs of getting us back to the office. I’m feeling really low. Anyone else?

OP posts:
User135644 · 13/09/2021 17:23

@squiddylama

I'm the opposite. I have hated every minute of being back in the office and find myself click watching and in a slump. I'm much less productive as well...
I always clock watch in the office. The day never drags at home for me, although motivation can be hard to stay focused.
MoiraNotRuby · 13/09/2021 17:24

I feel very similar OP, I don't want my life's work to be going through the motions, I want it to be meaningful. I have enough seniority to coast but that's not what makes me happy. And creativity and Teams really really do not fit together.

Window1 · 13/09/2021 17:26

@Beebyonthewold

Yes, same. I have zero motivation or enthusiasm and every tiny task feels overwhelming. I never used to be like this and hate how unproductive I seem to have become!
I needed this thread. Was thinking about posting something similar myself but wasn't sure how to word it.

It feels very strange and different to when we first started working at home, like there's been a very slow and unnoticeable transition where productivity has declined. At the same time though, no one else is mentioning it, like they don't want to be the first to say.

IceLace100 · 13/09/2021 17:27

I'm so unproductive and bored. We go back to the office this week and I am looking forward to it.

Hope to feel like I'm actually at work rather than just a woman with a laptop.

PicsInRed · 13/09/2021 17:29

@burritofan

For me it’s more that WFH has stripped away all the ‘jazz hands’, ‘look over here!’ distraction around the actual work, and what’s revealed is that I hate my actual work. It was hard to see when there was a bastard commute to enrage me, or something new in the canteen, an exciting unexpected fire alarm, team birthday cakes, potential post-meeting scrummage over the leftover bhajis, etc.

Being at home is a revelation of: oh, FUCK this is boring and my real life is vastly better, how in the world can I find a way to do less of this boring laptop bollocks and more of the big long walks and jam-making (without being a 1950s housewife).

This. So much this.

Wfh is like a long haul flight without the dinner and movie. Ok, the dinner and movie are shite too, but they sure do break up the tedious monotony.

EleanorShell · 13/09/2021 17:33

This is exactly how I am feeling. At the start WFH was new and exciting and our team was ridiculously busy. Now we have filled all vacancies, there is less pressure but some days I am really struggling for motivation.

Our office reopened last week with an expectation that people are in 2 days a week. So far 90% of people I have spoken to are saying that they will only come in very occasionally as everything is on teams anyway.

2000lightyearsaway123 · 13/09/2021 17:34

My old job was hybrid, 3 days at home 2 in office. I thought I would love to wfh full time although partly for financial and practical reasons as I had a long, expensive commute.

I just changed jobs about 5 months ago to a role that was, is and always will be WFH. I'm looking for a new role. I just feel like I'm floating out at sea on my own. I don't know how to build rapport with new people like this because I have no reason to message or call someone if it isn't work related and they don't call me for any other reason. Those little natural breaks that get built into your day from having a quick chat with a colleague between tasks or interspersed with a work conversation I've realised are so important not only to build rapport but also to break the day up a little.

Sallycinnamum · 13/09/2021 17:39

We have started slowly filtering back to the office 2 days a week and it's just the right balance. On the days I'm in, I feel so much more engaged and enthusiastic about work.

But overall morale is at rock bottom and we're losing staff right, left and centre.

MMMarmite · 13/09/2021 17:49

I feel exactly the same

ATieLikeRichardGere · 13/09/2021 17:58

Yes. Oh god. Yes. This cannot go on. I’ve been thinking of quitting it’s that bad. But I actually think I might just get my key, go into the office, and not tell anyone. It won’t be sociable but it will be better than the spare room and there’s a Starbucks.

RobinPenguins · 13/09/2021 18:00

It can be harder to keep yourself motivated. I was really struggling, to be honest. I went into the office 2 days last week and even though there were only a few of my colleagues in it was just brilliant, and made me more effective on the days I was at home too.

Original poster
Blankspace4 · 13/09/2021 18:02

@Window1 yes you’re right - I daren’t speak up for fear of being badged as ‘negative’

I have been in to the office twice but they made it very difficult with lots of forms to fill in and both times I was the only one there and the day was still full of bloody Teams meetings.

I really really miss the old days, grabbing a glass of wine with colleagues after work, genuinely getting to know people. It’s lonely now.

OP posts:
IceLace100 · 13/09/2021 18:05

@Sallycinnamum

We have started slowly filtering back to the office 2 days a week and it's just the right balance. On the days I'm in, I feel so much more engaged and enthusiastic about work.

But overall morale is at rock bottom and we're losing staff right, left and centre.

Half our team has left. I'm sure it's pandemic related.
NothingIsWrong · 13/09/2021 18:05

I was told last October that we would never go back to the office. Started a new job 1st March which is 3/2 split and it is SO MUCH BETTER.

Stovetopespresso · 13/09/2021 18:16

yes wfh can be so dull...I've chosen to do a 4 hour round commute once a week just to shake things up! I'm new to role, I've found it "interesting" being on boarded remotely, nice to see some people in the flesh. I'm sure the novelty may wear off though...

hollyhocksarenotmessy · 13/09/2021 18:16

I love wfh, I never want to commute regularly again, but I have to admit I miss some of the interaction.

I have a colleague who lives about 10 miles away, and we've agreed to both wfh at one house twice a month. Just nice to see someone other than DP during the week, have lunch together etc. Can you do something like that?

Also I've noticed wfh 'hubs' opening up, where you can go and work alongside people - any near you?

I've thought about asking on local Facebook group about setting up a lunch once a week or so for local wfh people, either at a house or cafe, you could try that?

I think it's important to get out of the house. If I'm not careful I am home all the time mon-fri, and that makes me lethargic. I'm going to start early morning swimming a couple of days a week now our local pool has ended the booking system.

thepeopleversuswork · 13/09/2021 18:30

I am actually far more productive at home than I am in an office. I hadn't realised until I worked from home how much time gets wasted in offices on chit chat and general timewasting. Not to mention the commute. So I definitely get more done at home.

But I do think you can feel more invisible and its much harder to motivate and mentor junior staff if you don't see them.

Belledan1 · 13/09/2021 18:32

Yep me too. I am going back tomorrow. Doing 1 or 2 days a week at office. I thought today cant wait. Wont be constantly noticing jobs that need doing like washing up etc. Be able to have a cup of tea in the kitchen at work. No kids hassling me. See some colleagues. Even looking forward to sitting on the bus! Excited to make my lunch too.

Belledan1 · 13/09/2021 18:33

Not sure I be happy if had to go back full time to the office though

RubyFowler · 13/09/2021 18:35

I'm now doing 3 days in work, 2 wfh and it is so much better. I know for a fact if it was 5 days wfh I'd have to leave. I just can't do it, I'd be depressed and that's no exaggeration.

canary1 · 13/09/2021 18:38

Can you say that you can no longer facilitate WFH? I had to do this, I couldn’t bear it.

Original poster
Blankspace4 · 13/09/2021 18:54

I wish I could but I don’t have that power. They can I think, by exception, make office space available if you cannot WFH but then you’re just sat in an empty cavernous room with not many of the benefits office working brought.

We are supposed to be going hybrid at some point but the company have pushed back announcing / implementing that several times now

OP posts:
claireb7rg · 13/09/2021 19:17

@Blankspace4

Another thing - the lack of boundaries between work and home. Home no longer feels like my sanctuary because work is always there. I’m lucky enough to have a spare room to work out of but I’m still using the same loo, kitchen etc. Also gained weight due to being so sedentary. Yes I know I can go for a walk but that low wfh energy has seemed to permeate to life in general
Are you me....
TiddleTaddleTat · 13/09/2021 19:21

Being at home is a revelation of: oh, FUCK this is boring and my real life is vastly better, how in the world can I find a way to do less of this boring laptop bollocks and more of the big long walks and jam-making (without being a 1950s housewife).

Grinmy thoughts exactly

Sallycinnamum · 13/09/2021 19:26

Back in the days when I smoked I used to find out lots of info (and gossip!) about work just from chatting to fellow smokers.

I don't smoke anymore but I'd underestimated how much work related titbits I'm missing just from not seeing my colleagues in person. It might be a passing conversation when we're in the kitchen or picking up the post but its really vital.

That said I never want to do 5 days in the office though!