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.

I agree that if your workplace force people into the office full time then they'll end up losing staff. I do a lot of recruitment for my employer and we're finding that all new recruits want some flexibility in terms of WFH. If they can't find it with your employer they, and existing staff will simply start looking elsewhere.

Reasonable adjustment for your disability is absolutely key here you can now evidence that WFH has a notable positive impact.

Ask for an occupational health referral now, don't wait for full time return to office to be announced.

I don't blame you OP. I changed career so that I could WFH as I'm the same (autism and sensory issues).

I do worry that in the long run I'll be marked out as less employable somehow because I don't want to physically be in an office, or because I'm missing the many micro interactions that help you to build relationships and reputation - but then it is what it is. I really struggle in those environments and I like being healthy and happy.

Would you think about moving elsewhere? It might be a good time to start looking. You could always use an offer from somewhere else as leverage too. (That may be a terrible idea, I'm sure others will say so if so.)

I'd look into a change of jobs.

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

@cactusandmarshmallows my employer is now saying they might have to consider offering some WFH days to attract new staff. Which had led to an outcry from existing staff who have said ‘why should a new employee have a perk that I, as an existing employee of several years, do not have?’ Several people have said if they bring in new staff who are allowed to WFH, they will lodge a discrimination claim and say if the new person can WFH then why can’t I? It’s a mess.

I have a few friends who have found new much more flexible jobs after theirs wanted them to go back to full time WFH. I imagine inflexible companies will find themselves both losing staff and finding it difficult to recruit. I think the landscape of working environments has changed permanently and any company who doesn't change with it is going to find themselves disadvantaged.

Yanbu.
My IBS is so much better when I wfh. And I am never cold at home. I'm happy to be in the office one or two days a week, but I don't want to go back to not being able to work because I'm cold or in the loo constantly. I can work late at home too.

Sorry, back to full time working from the office* that should have said!

I get you OP.

WFH meant my 2.5 hr commute disappeared. I got to do the school run for the first time in my life. Dinner was on the table at 6pm rather than rushed at 8pm because I prepped it on my lunch break. I could stick on a load of washing on my break and dash out to the line if it started to rain. I ate healthier because I wasn't dashing to the convenience store, but making myself healthy salads straight out of the fridge. I slept longer and better.

I worked longer hours from time to time, because I didn't need to dash off at a certain time so crazy deadlines and cramming in substandard work became a thing of the past. And despite this I had so much more free time without commuting. It was amazing.

Now I'm back in FT and it's tough - and I don't have any health issues. I and others found the first month or so of commuting exhausting but after a few months I'm used to it now.

But I miss DS coming in after his homework for a cuddle and him bursting to tell me about his day when he got into the car.

YANBU. But YABU to think WFH is a luxury for everyone, I'd absolutely hate it!

OP there is one thing I have learned through this pandemic is that it really made me look at the state of my health and quality of life.

Your health is better now you WFH
Your mental health is better now you can WFH

Your quality of life is better.

I would be doing every thing possible to protect that.

Thank you all who have replied. I actually feel so much better talking to you. I've been reading through the disability text and in relation to my direct condition and flexible/home working is mentioned on the info for employers which is good.

I did say in my OP that not everyone was working in ideal situations at home @waxonwaxoff0 I know not everyone enjoys it.

Ideally I don't want to move jobs as my employer offers good pension, leave, sick pay etc. But it is certainly something to consider.

Certainly go through the reasonable adjust route and request Occ Health through your current employer.

If there is a union please join, they will help you too.