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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel WFH has had its day a bit?

493 replies

Seaswimminginwinter · 23/09/2022 06:10

Bosses think workers do less from home - bbc article

My job doesn’t lend itself to WFH but I have noticed on nearly every thread on here about WFH, people insist that they are more productive. However, I have to admit that this doesn’t match with my experiences. But I am one person so maybe I’ve been unlucky, except this article is quite interesting about perceptions.

I also think it changes homes and areas. My own DH is WFH today and it is my day off, meaning I will spend it feeling as f I am I the way in my own home. Homes aren’t meant to be offices.

I get there are advantages but overall I don’t think it works well at all.

OP posts:
J0y · 23/09/2022 14:23

I think so yes.

Crikeyalmighty · 23/09/2022 14:31

@trusslepuff I mentioned this on an earlier post- I've had some extremely unprofessional calls like this- I feel sorry for those in a call centre type at home role who do it professionally and still have a childminder/nursery etc and aren't operating as a full time nursery but it seems plenty are fitting a bit of work in around very young kids at home- and it's not ok for customers.

trusslepuff · 23/09/2022 14:33

The company shouldn't allow it. My company would haul me over the coals if I did this and wouldn't last very long either if a customer complained. I paid for childcare when wfh with young dc my dc are at school now though.
I wfh but also just think it's totally inappropriate to be paid to do nothing.

PerfectlyPreservedQuagaarWarrior · 23/09/2022 14:41

Some of that may be attributable to the current labour squeeze. The modest salaries that call centre staff are paid simply don't buy a sufficient number of workers who are willing to come into an office and pay for any childcare they might need any more. Not all employers realise this, but some do.

gatehouseoffleet · 23/09/2022 14:55

On top of that the lady I was speaking to desperately was trying to get me off the phone but I'd held for so long I needed to keep asking about it. Then because I was clearly taking too long with my query they quickly redirected me to an incorrect department abruptly disconnecting me with her

What makes you think that was to do with WFH though? Even if she needed to go to collect her kids from childcare (which is what I inferred from your post) that could equally be the case if she was in a call centre. If she needed to go off shift she should have just transferred you to someone else (in the correct team).

WonkasBooboofixer · 23/09/2022 14:57

I genuinely am more productive at home, if I'm in the office I chat, drink tea, make tea for team, go for a walk at lunch, mooch up to see other departments, fix the printer because mystery printer jammer is a pillock, chat to the receptionist, read the posters in the hallways, go to the loo more because I need a break from all the people. All small things all work related but still they're eating into my time. At home there's just me and the dogs and the bonus is I never get sick because no one is bring coughs colds noro or Covid in

WonkasBooboofixer · 23/09/2022 15:04

Lovesacake · 23/09/2022 06:35

Can only speak for myself but I work much harder from home cos I’m scared the bosses will think I’m not working and take away the option of home working. When I’m in the office I’m less motivated cos I don’t feel I have to prove anything.

This

DameHelena · 23/09/2022 15:14

urgen · 23/09/2022 11:24

Many people do say that they can put a wash on, pick up the children, even give them their tea and then make up the hours. I am convinced they dont do this. When you are client facing for example it is no good being available at 1900 when everyone has gone home.

Obviously it depends on the job, but not all jobs are client-facing by any means, and many posters here are making the point that for some jobs it makes you more productive if you're at home and can read/write a report/research etc in peace.

JustDanceAddict · 23/09/2022 15:17

I’m hybrid and it’s great. I never want to go back to office full time, although I wouldn’t like to wfh full time either as I enjoy the interaction when I’m there.
i started my job after the lockdowns so my contract is hybrid.

AlwaysGinPlease · 23/09/2022 15:20

I wfh and I love it. I work hard so the myth that people that wfh do less is ridiculous. Some will skive of course but then they'll do that wherever they work. I don't pay for fuel. I have a dedicated office. Perfect.

luckylavender · 23/09/2022 15:24

This is so divisive. It's like the working v SAHM.

rainbowsandstarshine · 23/09/2022 15:25

I WFH, in the last 5 months I have had health problems that means I would not have been able to do the and a half hour commute to work and back. I would have been off sick for 5 months. My caseload is up to date, therefore I have been much more productive being able to WFH than having to go into an office.

HangOnToYourself · 23/09/2022 15:29

Just because you personally dont like something doesnt mean its "had its day" 🙄

wisebear · 23/09/2022 16:26

I absolutely love working from home - I do go in one day a week as I have a couple of things I can’t do from home but if I could I would be home 5 days a week, my husband works shifts so I also get to see him before he starts work (with our DS at school it’s the only time we actually have without him around to have a decent adult conversation) which if I was in the office I would go a week without seeing him - I’m also closer to DS school for drop of and pick up and I just have an all round more relaxed week - I get far to distracted in the office (idle chit chat, noise) so I work a lot more productively - so for me it works and I have a really good home/work balance - I know some will dick about but we are monitored with work so if your not up-to scratch your required to go back.

ErrolTheDragon · 23/09/2022 16:48

luckylavender · 23/09/2022 15:24

This is so divisive. It's like the working v SAHM.

It shouldn't have to be 'divisive' at all. There's a diversity of people, and of jobs - surely it's great that there should now be more options so everyone ought to be able to find something that suits them.

Of course there are issues if a organization is expecting people to work either from home or from an office and not getting things set up properly - by now, what definitely should have had its day is the emergency unplanned lockdown wfh with people working ad hoc from kitchen tables etc without proper equipment or systems to support them. If companies are shutting offices to save money then they need to buy proper furniture for staff, and also pay them enough that they've space to work effectively at home etc.

FiveLittleDucklings · 23/09/2022 16:54

oh ffs, go to the office then!
Some of us enjoy WFH.

PerfectlyPreservedQuagaarWarrior · 23/09/2022 16:55

Yes, it shouldn't have to be divisive.

It does amaze me that there are some people still talking in all seriousness about how people need to get back to the office. Even in this thread. That door has been opened and won't be closed again. Entire workforces were moved overnight by government decree. It isn't possible to simply opt out of the societal ramifications of that, even if you do think you'd get better service if it was.

Eschra · 23/09/2022 17:17

Totally off base. I work for a major Jsoanese I.T. company. They don't do something g for no reason. All the studies have shown productivity went up 20% and general sick leave/mental health sick leave improved since lockdown in companies that continued to work. our company worked so well many of our government and public sector customers wanted to know how we implemented our successes. our company are expanding their wellbeing practices and keeping wfh permanently for those that want it. there a 4days work week UK trial running for a year or two with 100's of UK firms involved (100% pay, 20% less hours). less than 6 months in nearly 70% report it been successful dedpite early teething issues or doubts and most have already said they are already intending to keep it permanently after the trial.

UnCivil · 23/09/2022 17:37

StarcourtMall · 23/09/2022 07:04

I think a hybrid model can work okay. Personally I don’t like working from home - I prefer my home to be my relaxing space and really enjoy having a short commute to separate the two worlds. I also agree about younger/newer employees missing out on the learning and networking opportunities of being face to face with colleagues.

A short commute would be my preference too with occasional WFH if needed ….but as my commute isn’t short and it’s expensive I’m doing what I can to continue WFH. I’m very flexible and do go into the office regularly and if specifically asked to but my overall work life balance is better with home working.

I work right through most days. Rarely ever stop at lunch and even less often do I stick on a sneaky wash or empty the dishwasher. But the time I save is huge and overall my work life balance has improved massively even on the days that I don’t log off until late evening

WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps · 23/09/2022 17:39

I find the ones who don't like it - and think people should 'get back in the office!' are those who don't have the chance to do it.

#jealousmuch

UnCivil · 23/09/2022 17:40

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 23/09/2022 07:26

As a manager, I have clear, observable evidence that some people in my team are significantly less productive when wfh. However, that doesn't mean that everyone is less productive at home, and evidence actually shows that that isn't the case.

We are therefore managing our hybrid model on an individual basis. If staff are delivering what we need them to do while wfh, then they can carry on doing so. If they are delivering less than we expect, then we ask them to come back into the office so that we can monitor and support them more closely for a period. If performance improves, then they can trial wfh again to see if it can be sustained.

It's fair and it's transparent and it's flexible. Everyone is in the office at least 2 days each week, as there is some work that needs to be done f2f. Some people choose to be in the office every day because it helps their mental health or because they don't have a suitable space to wfh etc. I imagine a few might choose to do that in the winter if it's expensive to heat their homes.

I do wfh some days but actually prefer going into the office now...wfh is convenient but it's so isolating. Teams meetings just aren't the same as actually seeing people!

Sounds perfect. It’s not a one size fits all.

NecklessMumster · 23/09/2022 17:45

I love it. And I am more productive as less distractions. And less stressed with no commute. I've got access to garden if I have a lunch break, a clean bathroom, can make a sandwich for lunch. I think the only non productive bit might be I find it harder to concentrate in online meetings if they're boring, I always leave my camera on so I don't drift off.

Batceanera · 23/09/2022 17:47

Nonsense.

You are productive and self motivated or you are not.

In my work, individuals can chose. People that want to can go to the office 100% if they wish. I was self employed for a few years and have WFH for at least 16 years. It works for my company, me and our family.

For all the naysayers, COVID has proven WFH works.

Banana2079 · 23/09/2022 17:58

I HATE wfh I get less done because am distracted and bored indoors and my back hurts as I’m sat on my bed or sofa and that’s not good all day

Banana2079 · 23/09/2022 18:02

Batceanera · 23/09/2022 17:47

Nonsense.

You are productive and self motivated or you are not.

In my work, individuals can chose. People that want to can go to the office 100% if they wish. I was self employed for a few years and have WFH for at least 16 years. It works for my company, me and our family.

For all the naysayers, COVID has proven WFH works.

Depends what you do though .. you are self employed
doinh work on behalf of a company especially admin can be lonely working from home, I get bored ( I don’t get bored in the office ) and why am I using up my electric and heating when it’s paid for at work ??
my travelling costs are only £5 per day as it’s a return trip on the tube and I’d rather pay that then have an uncomfortable 8 hours leant over a laptop on a sofa or bed.. no room at mine for a desk
might make more sense for those working further out to wfh re travel costs