To feel so down about the idea of returning to the office FT

[Officeschnoffice]

Like many of us who were luckily enough to be able to WFH, I have been since March 2020. We returned for on a PT basis last summer which has been ok.

There is talk now of returning full time and I am really struggling. I have a disability and the stress of commuting (1hr each way) and constantly having to be 'on' as well as the very early mornings was affecting me more than I even knew.

Lockdown came around and I had more free time, started to exercise, cook more healthily and spend more time with my family. Everything improved and I was in far less pain from my disability.

I enjoy my job and like my colleagues, we are a good team and there hasn't been any reduction in service for our clients. When we do go in the phones don't ring (not that kind of office) and no one visits. All contact is now by email, Zoom or pre-booked phone calls.

I don't really know what I am posting this for. I know lots of people haven't had the luxury of home working, or have been doing so under less than ideal circumstances.

I'm just scared, that my physical (and mental) health will spiral. I really did think flexible working was here to stay.

Is there any scope for asking for flexible/hybrid working? Your disability is relevant here. You can but ask?

I feel for you OP. I have a chronic illness and had done the commuting etc for so many years, like you, I didn't realise how much it was wearing me down until I stopped. I am also expected to go in full time soon.

Are your employers aware of your disability? I don't know industry you are in but can your employers not make an allowance for hybrid working? That way you can save your reserves for the days you need to be in and work from bed/dressing gown to try recover on your WFH days 💐

Yep I feel for you! We were only allowed to work from home during the official lockdowns, in between when things were more open we had to be back in the office full time - I work from a laptop and have no interaction with any kind of customer whatsoever so this was completely unnecessary.

I found the same as you in terms of my quality of life improving by working from home: I was happier, sleeping better and longer, cooking more, I lost weight.

I'd request flexible working with some days from home and some in the office if I were you but if your work is anything like mine it will just be a flat out no.

Sounds as though it would come under reasonable disability adjustments.

I imagine your company will struggle with staff retention and recruitment if they insist on a full time office presence. And rightly so.

I'm disabled and worked flexibly before the pandemic. During the pandemic I have got worse and wfh fully has been great. I would be looking at early retirement without it. Fortunately my manager is supporting me to stay wfh. I think you need to request reasonable adjustments to wfh more.

Thank you everyone who has replied and sorry to hear of others in similar situations.

Yes, OH are aware of my condition. Unfortunately it's one that is poorly understood generally so often people think it's a mild inconvenience rather than something which would affect your daily. I do have an agreement in place but it is very light touch and it is essentially I can go off for some quiet time if feeling unwell... but being unwell far from home is very upsetting and it means I'll do things to try and avoid the situation, which are unhealthy. It's true that I did attend the office before the pandemic, but the me of 2020 is noting like me of 2022. I'm so much healthier and happier.

We do have a flexible working policy but I only know people to have used it for childcare. I'll definitely look into it, thanks.

When you say there has been talk of a FT return what is that - an announcement? Rumours? Either way you need to put in a formal flexible working request. Try and keep it focused as far as possible on why it works for the employer (less time off ill for you, more productive work from you) but do highlight very clearly that this request relates to a disability for which you have previously had an agreement put in place. Don't just write about how lovely it'll be for you; make it clear that there's 'something in it' for them too, that they get the best of you working this way. They can turn down a flexible working request but only if they have a legitimate business reason to do, and that'll be a hard case to make if the current hybrid situation is working well and not causing any issues.

Make a formal request for a more hybrid working pattern, whatever you think you can reliably do (2 days in?), citing your disability. If you're making a regular effort to go in and you've all successfully worked virtually this long, and you have a legally recognised disability, you would have a very strong case.

I feel the same OP. I think many do. The pandemic has certainly shown me that how I lived my life before 2020 wasn’t sustainable or good for my mh

Don’t go through flexible working polices. Go back to them about your disability. You need to revisit the insufficient adjustments they have previously made for you, particularly given that you know now that you can work as effectively from home and it makes a huge difference to.your health.

You need a new occupational health assessment and a new plan.

You have options. You can ask to have an agreement in place where you do a mix of office and home working. Alternatively you can think about looking for a new job that's remote.

Same situation as you. I'm hoping I never have to go back in. We don't have customers, we are all around the country in our team so if we need to have a meeting, it's online anyway. I can do my job from home and I have a much better work/life balance. I don't want to go back just because others think we should.

YANBU, I’m desperate to WFH but I’d need a career change and I’m not sure what to.

Wait until they formally announce it. I feel like it's just rumblings at this stage.

If they announce return to office, request flexible working on the basis of your disability suggesting you go in one day per week and citing that you have successfully worked from home for 2 years. You could request an occupational health assessment as part of this.

If this request is denied then leave. Start looking at possible alternatives right now. The job market is great for employees you could even find something better! Loads of jobs are now permanently wfh.

Don't allow them to take away your newly acquired quality of life just because some douchbag middle manager want to justify their existence.

I would definitely look in to reasonable adjustments because of your disability. Hybrid working a couple of days in the office and the rest from home is surely reasonable, especially as you've been doing it for almost two years now. Good luck.

YANBU. I don't have a disability as far as I know, and live only a 20 minute walk from the office so no commute.

But I feel so much healthier and better in myself working from home. I think I'm far more productive too. It doesn't help that my office is such a grim building that stinks and has no window. I am really dreading going back to spending so much time in that place.

My employer won’t allow hybrid working and they’ve lost tons of staff who’ve gone to more flexible employers. Also they’re struggling to recruit replacements because as soon as people find out there’s no WFH they decline the job. I still work there because WFH doesn’t work for me due to children being in the house, I need to go out. But I’m a minority nowadays, most people want at least 2 days per week WFH. OP I would ask for more flexibility and if they won’t offer it just change jobs.

Thank you to all who have replied

It hasn't yet been formally announced (the uncertaintly doesn't help matters!) I'm going to do some more research.

I'm a good worker and I've given them many years service. I really enjoy my job and my colleagues are great.

They can only say no, which would be embarrassing, but it's not the worst thing.

Another one saying don’t go down the usual “flexible working request’ route; as that only entitles you to ask, not to get.

If you are disabled your employer is legally bound to provide reasonable adjustments to enable you to work.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/discrimination-at-work/taking-action/asking-your-employer-for-changes-to-help-if-youre-disabled/

You need to be clear that your current offered adjustments are no longer suitable and need to be revisited. The fact that you have been working well under the current flexible working schedule should be some good ammo to prove that your requested adjustments fall under the “reasonable” category.

It doesn't help that my office is such a grim building that stinks and has no window.

Lack of light and space was a major factor in me requesting hybrid working before Covid. The office environment was depressing and not conducive to work. Maybe employers could entice people back by planning better office environments. Not just cram as many desks as a possible in a line together with a sofa and a couple of meeting rooms as a nod to the need for comfort and privacy.

Thank you for the advice, I will look more into the disability information.

Sorry some of you have horrible offices. Mine is extremely cold (thankfully this doesn't affect my condition, but it does make it hard to concentrate!)

Hope your flexible working request goes well.

If not then look for another job? Loads of employers now are offering at least part time Wfh

@Alayalaya

My employer won’t allow hybrid working and they’ve lost tons of staff who’ve gone to more flexible employers. Also they’re struggling to recruit replacements because as soon as people find out there’s no WFH they decline the job. I still work there because WFH doesn’t work for me due to children being in the house, I need to go out. But I’m a minority nowadays, most people want at least 2 days per week WFH. OP I would ask for more flexibility and if they won’t offer it just change jobs.

This is so interesting! I wonder if they’ll ever recant?

hey OP look for another role if you can, lots of employers are offering a mix now...I'd hate to go back 5 days a week...offices can be grim...