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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To have the fear about working in the office again?

25 replies

Flingingmelon · 10/02/2022 18:42

I know I am. Two years ago I'd have leapt at the idea of two days working from home.

Now the idea of doing a 9-5:30, three days a week makes me wonder if I should leave.

For context it's bringing back nine hours of commuting and all the associated costs.

I like my job and my colleagues, but it's filling me with dread. DH is moving toward retirement and he's happy to take on more than his fair share of the childcare, so I don't need to worry too much about that.

It's not knowing the routine that's freaking me out I think. Hopefully by summer I'll be over it.

AIBU to feel like this? Or is everyone feeling like this?

OP posts:

NeesAndToes · 10/02/2022 18:45

It does get easier. Could you put in a flexible working request to work a couple of days from home or shorter hours?

Original poster

Flingingmelon · 10/02/2022 18:47

Sorry, wasn't clear - I'm going from five full days in the office, to home 100% during lock down, to in the office a couple of times a month, back to three days a week next month.

OP posts:

NeesAndToes · 10/02/2022 18:49

@Flingingmelon

Sorry, wasn't clear - I'm going from five full days in the office, to home 100% during lock down, to in the office a couple of times a month, back to three days a week next month.

Ah I see a sort of hybrid approach. They are building you up which is good.

TheKeatingFive · 10/02/2022 18:50

Is it fear you're feeling, or you just don't want to?

Daffyaboutdaffs · 10/02/2022 18:54

Sounds acceptable and they are breaking you in gently. You did it before with the commuting FT?
You could maybe asked for it to be a little more staggered like 1 day in then 2 days in office. Might be easier? Not good to Keane a job you like because of this IMO

Daffyaboutdaffs · 10/02/2022 18:55

I’ve just started going back in 2 days a week. Dreaded it and couldn’t be bothered but actually really enjoyed it.

Daffyaboutdaffs · 10/02/2022 18:57

*leave not Keane although Keane are brilliant

myyellowcar · 10/02/2022 18:57

To be honest if my workplace said this to me I’d look to move on. I’m not criticising hybrid approaches in general but the time I get back from not commuting is too precious to give up.

ToykotoLosAngeles · 10/02/2022 18:58

YAB a bit U, yes. I've been back in since March 3 days a week and after about a week it felt completely normal.

If it is that you'd rather be remote there is a lot more opportunity out there now in some sectors.

Loopytiles · 10/02/2022 19:02

Agree it’s daunting after a long stretch fully WFH. Will feel hard at first, then become the routine again.

The costs of the commute etc need to be weighed against the costs of changing jobs or not having a iob.

It remains to be seen how many office employers continue minimal office working once covid is over. My guess is that the vast majority will require at least ‘hybrid’, with 2/3 days minimum in office.

Sallycinnamum · 10/02/2022 19:02

I've been back 2 days a week and it's lovely seeing all my colleagues again and I can feel the enthusiasm I had for my job slowly coming back.

I think I underestimated just how positive the interaction between colleagues is quite frankly.

I am also loving being able to pop out to buy a lunch I haven't made!

I work in London and there's a real buzz in the air again too. I really noticed it this week.

You'll be fine OP. It's just a matter of getting back into a different routine.

ThinWomansBrain · 10/02/2022 19:03

try it and see how it goes?
If you don't like it start looking for something fully WFH or with a shorter commute.

Invasionofthegutsnatchers · 10/02/2022 19:03

What are you worried about specifically OP?

NeesAndToes · 10/02/2022 19:06

Ooh also, it is quiter than I'd imagined because everyone is doing different wfh days

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 10/02/2022 19:08

I've been going in 2 days a week for the last few months and I'm hoping it'll be increased. I haven't been in this week as DH had an accident and I've been having to help him and I've really missed being in the office.

Eucalyptusbee · 10/02/2022 19:10

@Sallycinnamum

I've been back 2 days a week and it's lovely seeing all my colleagues again and I can feel the enthusiasm I had for my job slowly coming back.

I think I underestimated just how positive the interaction between colleagues is quite frankly.

I am also loving being able to pop out to buy a lunch I haven't made!

I work in London and there's a real buzz in the air again too. I really noticed it this week.

You'll be fine OP. It's just a matter of getting back into a different routine.

Same here.

Actually putting some effort into my work again too!

iwantareindeer · 10/02/2022 19:10

I feel similar and am doing exactly the same thing. We can go in if we want at the moment and I've been in once a week. On some days when I'm doing both ends of the school run it takes a lot of thinking to remember how I did it all before. But it does still work, it has been tiring on those days but I think part of that is just a new routine is tiring. It will get easier.
I also work in london and whilst I don't relish the commute it is time to myself which is nice, I've hours of podcasts to catch up on.

Things that worry me are how I keep things going at home. Quite like throwing washing in between meetings rather than a mountain at the weekend. Also time to cook and exercise are going to be tricky again.

Train company could do with increased schedule that's been a bit of a pain.

Eucalyptusbee · 10/02/2022 19:11

Also wanting to go in more days

HangOnToYourself · 10/02/2022 19:16

I'm lucky enough that my hybrid approach is we can work as much or as little in the office as we like, it's one reason why I have stayed with my business despite some other reasons why I have considered leaving. I would feel the same about the wasted hours on the commute its seems crazy to think so much time used to be spent sitting in traffic. I also cant imagine having to do my hair and makeup every day again either 😂

labyrinthlaziness · 10/02/2022 19:18

@Flingingmelon

Sorry, wasn't clear - I'm going from five full days in the office, to home 100% during lock down, to in the office a couple of times a month, back to three days a week next month.

Some of this is possibly also change fatigue?

I am knackered with all the changes, and going back just feels like yet another change.

I have been speaking to so many people who feel the same.

You'll probably be OK in a few months, but I totally understand why you feel stressed by it. What an absolute shit couple of years we have all had. Those on the frontline have had a completely different - and bigger - set of pressures, stresses, worries - but their work stayed somehow more of a constant? My DH never stopped going out to work, his outloook was so different.

Sallycinnamum · 10/02/2022 19:27

Another added bonus is being able to pop over to a colleague's desk to answer a simple question rather than having to phone them or set up another bloody meeting!

Don't get me wrong, I'm just as productive at home but I got so many niggly tasks done this week simply because I was in the office.

bindud · 10/02/2022 19:31

I work in London and there's a real buzz in the air again too. I really noticed it this week.

DH thought it was really quiet, weekday tube numbers are still quite down aren't there.

bindud · 10/02/2022 19:31

they!

EarringsandLipstick · 10/02/2022 19:32

Another added bonus is being able to pop over to a colleague's desk to answer a simple question rather than having to phone them or set up another bloody meeting!

Agree. I manage a team of 8 & since we've gone back to a blended model (about 50% at home / on-site for most of the team, a bit more on-site for me), it's been brilliant being able to have a quick word with someone, check in with them while on the way somewhere else, properly look them in the eyes when tackling a difficult subject.

I then love the days at home when I can focus and not have to engage directly as much.

wheresmymojo · 10/02/2022 19:36

I think you might find you actually enjoy it.

Being in a few days a week feels very different to five full days, week in, week out which becomes a grind.

Is there any way you can do 2 days in?

That's what we do and it feels like a good balance.

Obvs we can and will go in a 3rd day sometimes if needed for training or a F2F workshop or something like that.

Flip