To not want to go to the office if it's not compulsory?

[nahhowaboutit]

My employer has not made going to the office mandated/compulsory, we're allowed to choose what's best for us. My office is a 2 hour commute away and I struggle to concentrate when I'm there as it's open plan.

Despite this my manager is always asking me when I'm going into the office and I feel pressured to go in once a week.

AIBU to not want to go in at all if it's not compulsory and if there's no face-to-face meetings I'm needed in for?

Coming in is optional for us, but they like you in once per week. We have lots who are full time wfh and basically refusing unless forced (and even then I bet they'd refuse).

I think the only downside for these people is no one really knows who they are, and they really are a 'resource'. They aren't getting more than standard pay bumps etc, however for a lot of them I'm sure they're not bothered due to the money saved.

I love working from home! The only negative now idle that in my new role I just. Annoy take any holiday. And if I do then it's seen as "ah Dove is at home so I'm sure she will pick up messages and emails" so it's like you never get a proper break. Somehow I now need to cram 31 days holiday into 6 months!

Our CEO has expressed his preference is to have everyone in 2 days per week and most people are happy with that.

I get a special exemption as I'm disabled and a wheelchair user and the offices are so remote and inaccessible the only place I would be able to work would be in the kitchen. Which really isn't ideal when my team work on the first floor with no lift. They knew all this when they hired me last year!

@TheDoveFromAboveCooCoo
Please may I ask how job hunting went fir you in a chair.

I am looking for work and in both interviews the panel seemed a bit taken aback about my wheelchair.

Plus any handy hints or tips would be great? Does your firm need any more homeworkers?

[quote Worrysaboutalot]@TheDoveFromAboveCooCoo
Please may I ask how job hunting went fir you in a chair.

I am looking for work and in both interviews the panel seemed a bit taken aback about my wheelchair.

Plus any handy hints or tips would be great? Does your firm need any more homeworkers?[/quote]
It was actually the best time for it to happen (if there is any such thing) as the majority of support staff in my company were home based during covid. We provide NHS services such as GP surgeries and urgent care centres so it was just the support:admin staff who worked from home.

It helps that I'm very experienced in my field with a really good background in complex projects and this particular company had found it very hard to find someone to do this role so they were happy to make adjustments for me.

I fell very lucky I think. I was on a temp contract at my last place as was starting to get a bit panicky that I wouldn't find anything! So many places turned me down once the perm working from how and need for wheelchair was mentioned.

Unfortunately unless you’ve got a home working contract I think you’ll find youve been a little naive

I'm in a similar situation. Going in once a week every 2 weeks. Meant to be twice a week...but I live 2 hours away. My colleague who lives near me hasn't been in at all since the office reopened.

I think it's worth making the effort once a week for various reasons. You often learn things in the office you wouldn't online. And just showing your face can be really helpful I find.

But I love wfh and wouldn't give it up!