To tidy up instead of working as I should be?

[Nothavingfunrightnow]

My home is very untidy. Every room needs a tidy up and vacuum at least. I'm WFH but having difficulty concentrating.

WIBU to stop working so I can get a few things sorted, or would that be a cop out for me, seeing I'm having trouble focusing on work anyway?
YABU - Keep working. Housework must wait.
YANBU - A tidy home will help you concentrate.

How would your manager feel? Can you make up the hours? Of course you can't just skive work but sometimes a break and coming back refreshed can make a lot of difference.

Depends how busy you are. If work won't be affected then crack on with the housework. I WFH and I can't concentrate at all unless the house is reasonably tidy/organised.

I often think how we wouldn't sit at our computers for 7/8 hours in the office, we never did! There would be a walk to other colleagues desks/different floors, off to the kitchen area to get a cuppa, a chat to people on the way back, walk to the printer etc. Not in a skiving way, just a general day to day thing. So we shouldn't be expected to be glued to laptops at home.

I take a 15 min break in mid-morning and mid-afternoon to take a break from the screen (on optician's say so) - and try and cram stuff in then. Just small tasks - cleaning the bathroom, or changing the bed, or washing up or a quick wipe round the kitchen, or hoovering upstairs. Only small things, but they can make a massive difference. I don't start cleaning out the kitchen cupboards or defrosting the fridge freezer or anything...

I'm struggling with this too. I would compromise by working for 45 then tidying for 15. I'm betting it'll make both more effective. Also good for your musculoskeletal health

YANBU. I can't concentrate with mess around me. You'll work more efficiently if you have a quick tidy first. It's win-win!

I've got a list of the things that need sorting to fit into spare 15 mins here and there.

If it's your work area it should be clear and not cluttered for your health and safety so you can do that on work time. That's what I'd do in the office.

@WhatDidISayAlan

I take a 15 min break in mid-morning and mid-afternoon to take a break from the screen (on optician's say so) - and try and cram stuff in then. Just small tasks - cleaning the bathroom, or changing the bed, or washing up or a quick wipe round the kitchen, or hoovering upstairs. Only small things, but they can make a massive difference. I don't start cleaning out the kitchen cupboards or defrosting the fridge freezer or anything...

I think a break from the screen every hour for 5mins is the recommendation, take more time!

Re tidying - yeah, do it. I often find if I take a proper break when my concentration is poor it helps me to then refocus better in work

If you worked in an office, there would be a cleaner! You’ve got that job to do while WFH. I think if you’ve got the consciousness to worry you are taking advantage then you’ll likely do some work in an evening or something to make it up

Well… your employer isn’t paying you to tidy your house!

Having said that… I do often rest the phone on my shoulder when I’m on long phone calls and multi task by tidying or cleaning at the same time

Would you give your desk a tidy in the office, if it was unclean/untidy? Of course you would! That's how I justify having a tidy round the house when I'm WFH.

TBF, I do little bits during the day. If I'm waiting for something to download on the computer I'll go and put a wash load on. My watch tells me to move for a minute once an hour so I'll tidy for a minute instead.

I have spent time at the office tidying my work area or chucking out stuff I no longer need - so, yes, I see that now! There is always a bit of a clear out at the end of the year (I am in FE).

I can definitely catch up later and my line manager is very reasonable. I work very independently so I am not adding to anyone's workload by tidying my home now, nor am I intending not to do what I need to!

After having just done a quick 30 minute tidy I feel more focused already .

I would. Your employer is happy enough to have turned your home into an office!

Well you’re not working while you’re chatting on Mumsnet are you, so you may as well get some housework done.

Good point, @PinkSyCo!

So I have chatted on MN, tidied up a bit, and got today's work done. Success, I reckon!