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.

I WFH FT and I absolutely love it. My work requires focus, so I get much more done without the constant distractions of an open-plan office. I’m saving hundreds of pounds a month in commuting costs and I also save 8 hours a week of travelling time so my work/life balance has never been better.

I never, ever want to work in an office again.

I think you're describing a shit induction?

I think that's it. I've been really fortunate to be in sociable, fun workplaces and as a late 20something, remote working just doesn't do it for me. I absolutely adore my job though so it's not that.
I agree though that is mostly people who are established saying it makes no difference. Lots of my younger colleagues also choosing to be in f2f more!

I never worked from home a day in my life for 40 years until last year. Even when Boris told us not to leave our houses in March 20, I had to go to the office. However, since last winter I could choose and did a few days in the office and some at home. Since then I’ve got to the point of doing 1 day in the office every 3 weeks or so! I love it. No more 5.45am alarms (I now get up at 7.am. I can put the washing out during the day and generally my work life balance has hugely improved. I get more done too!!
However, I do get lonely and miss my colleagues so sometimes decide on the spur of the moment to go in for the morning.

I don't want to go into the ins and outs but I've started around 5 new workplaces since covid (placements) and the ones with more f2f have been much much better in terms of me knowing the team.

I do love remote working but also enjoy going into the office one day a week if needed

Love it. Once a week is ideal.

I LOVE WFH.

Makes MY life easier, and the kids'.

Of course they have, that makes total sense!

Anyone denying that getting to know people face to face is better, is being bizarrely obtuse.

Mumsnet is the wrong demographic to ask, OP! Most of us are older, maybe established in our careers, with other responsibility, and such like going on.

You’re absolutely right than in-office is better for new starters and young people.

I think it depends on several factors. Home working isn't for me - I would actually never see an adult face to fact apart from people I live with. But it does work for others.

I know at my work it's not idea working at home and it's not a general setup for people to work at home regularly for several reasons.

Yeah, maybe this is the wrong demographic. I value Mumsnet for lots of interesting opinions though so I was genuinely curious if anyone else felt this way! I figured I can't be the only one 😅

I really like it. I started a new job in a totally new company 6 months ago and I still love it! I work hard but still get to do the school run. My alternative would be a 1.5hr commute each way and always feeling on the back foot. Being able to be organised at home and not being at the mercy of trains/motorways means I can be much more focused in work.

I love it now, aged 54, in a senior position and just wanting to crack on with stuff. It probably would have been awful as a new starter in a first job, or in my 20s when I made so many friends at work.

Ps. I too am sociable but have ple ty of contact with colleagues throughout the day.

I have said this before and I am being 100% genuine, working remotely is one of the best things that ever happened in my life. When we go the e-mail basically saying we could work remotely/hybrid as we see fit just after the last lockdown I felt as ecstatic as when my niece was born. I don't think I've ever been happier at work. However I understand it's not for everyone.

I think when remote working is going well, people love it and feel quite protective and defensive over any suggestion it might not work well in every situation.

It is the bane of my life.

I think it works for some people and not for others .

I love it - but I'm late 50s, have been doing my job a while, already have relationships with my colleagues who I chat to every day anyway. I love the extra time available from no longer having a commute - being able to walk in the light or sit in the garden when I finish in the afternoon.

Having said all that - I do think it's making me lazy and complacent. I have the opportunity to go into the office if I wish and I really ought to make more effort.

I would have hated it when I was in my 20s though and I don't think it's appropriate for younger members of staff or whose who are just starting out their careers.

YANBU. If you manage a team it's very hard to spot issues if people are working remotely. My Dept runs end of year grading calibrations and last year we all graded our juniors as meets expectations or below expectations- no one was exceeding, which is rare. We looked into this and concluded that the issue was largely down to limited opportunity to observe senior staff interacting with stakeholders & limited opportunities to network cross functionally due to WFH.

I've found that WFH is much better for my family and home life, obviously. I get an extra 2 hours a day to spend with my family when I'd be commuting otherwise, and can do things like put dinner on at lunchtime or get washing done or take in deliveries. I went back to work after DC1 when he was 6 months old. It was summer 2020 and all our work was remote, and DH was furloughed so looking after the baby. I used to breastfeed him at my desk - that was great.

However, it was only when I started going back into the office that I found myself actually enjoying my work for what it was. I am a pretty extroverted person and I found only seeing colleagues virtually for months on end really tough, and made motivation difficult. Working in the office is definitely better for my job.

Currently on mat leave with DC2 but hoping to go back to work with 2 days a week in the office and 2 WFH. That would be a good balance, I think.

I can see some of the benefits but yeah its rubbish for trainees.

It works brilliantly for introverts or people who have other household/family commitments that they can sneak in under the wire whilst supposedly working. And also for people who would have horrible, tortuous commutes.

For everyone else, I generally think human contact is better. Even if Dave from accounts gets on your tits with his nasty lunch habits. Better for mental health and a sense of purpose, as well as efficient working and good business practice.

It’s only shit if your workplace doesn’t do onboarding well.

also I still benefit from work chit chat when WFH, I just make time for it and call people!

I think the point that people are making e.g in their late 40s-50s and established is crucial to my point though. I made a huge effort even when fully remote and things but it’s impossible to have the kind of natural learning that occurs spontaneously such as nipping over to ask someone a quick stupid question that definitely wouldn’t be emailed! Or seeing someone else problem solving.
Im junior in a very professional career (think: solicitor) and I think it’s having a tangible effect on my development. And I hate never being able to fully switch off (fully echo the poster who feels like they live at their partners workplace)

Who wants to call colleagues though like family members and what if it's busy and you don't have time.

I’m new to a role and I love it. I think it helps I have a proper office in my house that I close the door on of an evening. My team have been great at arranging calls with me and we have 4 big social gatherings a year paid for by work. I do go to the office every now and again but feel like I get nothing done as I’m chatting to everyone.