To think remote working is shit

[Doodoodoodo]

I understand that lots of people like remote working for many reasons. However, AIBU to think it is shit? It's so hard when you start new places/teams and you never have a clue who anyone is or who to speak to about things.
I really feel that I'm missing out on some much with hybrid working and I worry for the younger graduates coming through right now.

Personally I love it, no commute time / stress / cost and I’m way more productive.

I think remote working (and I started a new job during covid!) is really dependent on the onboarding process and how good your team are at it. Mine were really good, so I didn't have those issues.

I love it. No chitty chatty colleagues.

I absolutely love it.
I work nights from home though. Lots of me time, quiet so can do my housework and paperwork, no commute, no travel costs/traffic jams/going out in bad weather people
No having to small talk with people you're not keen on, no shared kitchens/loos with unhygienic people, i could be here all day

Well... I'm sure it's shit if it's done badly. I've worked remotely for 2 years around 1990 and then 1995 onwards, it's been good from my POV.

So while YANBU to find it shit yourself, YABU to make a blanket statement.

I can't see why it might be shit in your situation but I absolutely love it.

It wouldn't be for me, but I can definitely see the appeal. Could you maybe do more days in the office?

I wonder if it's a work culture thing as well. Some work places are really fun and also some businesses go to town monitoring their remote workers which I couldn't stand. I'd hate having to prove I was working. The places which just let you get on with it sound a lot healthier.

I hate it. No chitty chatty colleagues.

You just have to be so much larger than life I think! I set up 1:1s with as many people as I can, just to say hi and introduce ourselves. Don't let any meeting skip this step also - really important to be properly introduced.

You also need to raise your profile - there must be company Teams or other chat channels that are more social?

I create a OneNote for People and any time I meet someone new - ask to have cameras on when you chat, then take a quick snapshot of their face and keep some notes in your OneNote who are they, role, team, ahow long at the company, pet hates at work, anything youd like to remember about them such as they used to work in another Sept or they're married to the Head of procurement or they are about to go on a 2 week vacation with their 3 kids. It's such a good thing to connect with people on personal topics as well as work.

I work a mix of lates and day shifts from home. Love it for all those reasons and also, because it has given me back so much time not commuting or being stressed on a delayed train. Plus the cats love it!

This has been done over and over and over again.

Ultimately, it depends on your work, your circumstances, and your personality.

But 'not knowing who to go to' means your employers' induction programme is rubbish, not the concept of hybrid working.

I love it. I’m way more focussed and yet way more relaxed.

I feel like i'm living the dream doing it!

Lizneedsamotto 😂

I would hate it because I love the social side of work. I wouldn’t want it for my DC for that reason. DS1 did it for a while during lockdown and didn’t like it much.

It depends!

I get distracted more at home and then feel claustrophobic being in the same building all day and night. I have to force myself to go outside and even that becomes a chore.

But, if I have something juicy to sink my teeth into it's great because I can get all wrapped up, crack on, don't have to dress up or act professional. I can listen to my own music or have the TV on in the back ground etc. No judgement or comments on my snacking or drink choices. It's great!

At the office I like to do my meetings, socialise with my colleagues, do Collab work, crack on with the more mundane tasks yada yada yada.

I often do 2 days at home and 3 in the office, but we do have 1 day a week when we all have to be in together, the other days are mainly to stop me becoming a complete recluse.

I'd hate to be solely office based or solely homebased

I wish DH didn't prefer it. I'm sick of having to live in his workplace (our home).

I agree. It’s fabulous if you’re established, but if you’re new - it’s rubbish.

my team members that joined during and since the pandemic have not had as good a start and they certainly haven’t built relationships within the team like they would’ve.

But for me, it’s great. I go into the office once a week or if I feel like it. I wake up 5 minutes before I log on. I can’t imagine how I used to be up, showered, wearing smart clothes and makeup and on the road by 7.30 every day. I must have been knackered by Friday.

I hated it so I've changed jobs!

Its def not for all my dh couldn't wait to get back in office as he finds it more structure
I started a new job in lockdown so met team virtually and it was ok but when we went back in i forgot how much I missed being in an office
We both live 10 mins from work though and no Space for an office so that doesn't help
I do hybrid 3 days in , 2 wfh and that is perfect for me
Lot of the younger ones at work now are choosing to work in the office

I love it but a lot is to do with onboarding. I am not sure it is true about relationships as since pandemic it has bought our global teams closer

Generally, it's great but it can be lonely.
The past few days I could have done with some company, but you don't get replies, or ones that sound abrupt.

I like a mix. I like the structure of going in a few days a week. My DP also works from home and we need a break from each other!

Most people on MN are anti-social hermits who hate any sort of social interaction, so you’ve posted this on the wrong forum!

I do half and half - I like working from home as I don’t have the same rush on the mornings I’m WFH, I can get some household jobs done sometimes in between work, I don’t have to put on a face of make-up, and there’s no commute.

But I do like the interaction with colleagues as well, the face-to-face meetings, the chance for a coffee, the bonding.

I absolutely agree with you on the two points you raised though, OP.

Ny first office job as a 20-something was amazing - we had a whale of time for several years. This was back in the early 00s with a very different culture of company cards, liquid lunches, fast friends made and lots of nights out. DH and I got together at that work place!

I’m not sure if that sort of thing even goes on any more for people working in the office, but I do feel for young people not to get some of that fun side of working that you get when you’re all in together.