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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to only want to work remotely?

53 replies

ChildcareIsBroken · 25/11/2022 07:03

Currently working remotely full time, but looking for a new job. Do you know what companies offer fully remote jobs? I can see some hybrid, but realistically I can't do more than one day in the office per week if working full time.
I'm in a role that's part of most industries so the type of company doesn't matter.

OP posts:
balalake · 25/11/2022 07:05

Reasonable request but you should accept it limits your options. Check very carefully before you accept a new job that it is not one where remote now will not be something else in future.

Weatherwax · 25/11/2022 07:07

Ive found lots of local government support teams seem to be related these days. But you do have the downside of local government salaries!

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 25/11/2022 07:09

What are the barriers to you being in the office more than 1 day a week?

I understand people having a preference, but I don't understand what you mean when you say can't?

MilkyYay · 25/11/2022 07:10

Loads of options in accounting & related roles, but be mindful as to why you want it and be prepared to sometimes have to travel to an office or event.

If your reason for wanting to wfh full time is that you plan to avoid childcare for a child under about 8 or 9, don't do it - employers & colleagues detest this, its usually prohibited in contracts and isnt sustainable.

XmasElf10 · 25/11/2022 07:15

Personally I’m fully home based (have been for 13 years and live very rurally and would not commute) and would apply for whatever job in my industry that I fancied but if I got an interview I’d let them know that I’m remote only. There’s only one or two big employers I’d avoid because they are definitely office based. However I’m pretty senior now but I was way less sure of getting a remote job 10 years ago!

Try applying for hybrid jobs but stating that you’d prefer fully remote or remote 4/5. They can only say no!!

AriettyHomily · 25/11/2022 07:15

The trend is very much towards hybrid. Why can you only commute one day a week? Might make a difference can make adjustments for you.

CourtneeLuv · 25/11/2022 07:16

Lots of charities have fully remote roles.

You can search for remote only on LinkedIn.

If you are in finance I know of a fully remote finance officer position being recruited for right now.

SlipperyLizard · 25/11/2022 07:18

Many law firms are offering fully remote roles (and many aren’t!) if that’s a sector that could use your role.

PinkPrettyAndPointed · 25/11/2022 07:19

Yanbu at all. I work remotely, only visiting the office for big events. Wouldn't look at a job that wasn't remote.

Dh commutes 3 days a week, and there's no way I'd want to juggle both of us doing that a few times a week.

Agree with pp apply for hybrid roles and say you're looking for remote.

Artygirlghost · 25/11/2022 07:31

My current job is like that. I only spend maybe 2 days a month at the most in the office.

I have colleagues who only come in the office for big staff meetings everything 3 months.

I work for a charity. It is quite common in that sector to offer remote working.

Before that I worked for another charity where there was no central office at all and everyone worked remotely all the time.

I would not consider an employer these days who expected me to be in the office more than once a week.

I am sure you can find something to meet your needs.

PositivelyBedevilled · 25/11/2022 07:34

The law firm I work in allows fully remote work, as does my friend's firm. Another friend working in a firm is more hybrid. Would depend on the role, though, obviously.

ButterflyBiscuit · 25/11/2022 07:34

Wow I'd love remote working. Looking to change away from teaching and work up in a different profession though so bit harder to find!

ChildcareIsBroken · 25/11/2022 08:08

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 25/11/2022 07:09

What are the barriers to you being in the office more than 1 day a week?

I understand people having a preference, but I don't understand what you mean when you say can't?

Childcare. Only things that would work are remote or part time. But I'd prefer remote as part time means less money and it may mean it'd be better for me not to work at all.
I do have a remote job I just for various reasons want to move. But at least I have security of it.

OP posts:
ChildcareIsBroken · 25/11/2022 08:09

balalake · 25/11/2022 07:05

Reasonable request but you should accept it limits your options. Check very carefully before you accept a new job that it is not one where remote now will not be something else in future.

I understand that. And I'd need to make sure it's in my contract.

OP posts:
ChildcareIsBroken · 25/11/2022 08:10

Weatherwax · 25/11/2022 07:07

Ive found lots of local government support teams seem to be related these days. But you do have the downside of local government salaries!

Thanks. I'll add that as an option.

OP posts:
ChildcareIsBroken · 25/11/2022 08:11

MilkyYay · 25/11/2022 07:10

Loads of options in accounting & related roles, but be mindful as to why you want it and be prepared to sometimes have to travel to an office or event.

If your reason for wanting to wfh full time is that you plan to avoid childcare for a child under about 8 or 9, don't do it - employers & colleagues detest this, its usually prohibited in contracts and isnt sustainable.

Thanks.
I wouldn't do that, my children are in full time nursery, but it's close to home and no way I could work full time in an office and be able to pick them up on time.

OP posts:
ChildcareIsBroken · 25/11/2022 08:12

XmasElf10 · 25/11/2022 07:15

Personally I’m fully home based (have been for 13 years and live very rurally and would not commute) and would apply for whatever job in my industry that I fancied but if I got an interview I’d let them know that I’m remote only. There’s only one or two big employers I’d avoid because they are definitely office based. However I’m pretty senior now but I was way less sure of getting a remote job 10 years ago!

Try applying for hybrid jobs but stating that you’d prefer fully remote or remote 4/5. They can only say no!!

That is a good idea, thanks.

OP posts:
ChildcareIsBroken · 25/11/2022 08:14

CourtneeLuv · 25/11/2022 07:16

Lots of charities have fully remote roles.

You can search for remote only on LinkedIn.

If you are in finance I know of a fully remote finance officer position being recruited for right now.

Not in finance, but thank you.
I'll add those to the list.

OP posts:
ChildcareIsBroken · 25/11/2022 08:15

PinkPrettyAndPointed · 25/11/2022 07:19

Yanbu at all. I work remotely, only visiting the office for big events. Wouldn't look at a job that wasn't remote.

Dh commutes 3 days a week, and there's no way I'd want to juggle both of us doing that a few times a week.

Agree with pp apply for hybrid roles and say you're looking for remote.

I agree, it's so much easier to juggle all responsibilities. Glad it's working for you.

OP posts:
ChildcareIsBroken · 25/11/2022 08:18

Artygirlghost · 25/11/2022 07:31

My current job is like that. I only spend maybe 2 days a month at the most in the office.

I have colleagues who only come in the office for big staff meetings everything 3 months.

I work for a charity. It is quite common in that sector to offer remote working.

Before that I worked for another charity where there was no central office at all and everyone worked remotely all the time.

I would not consider an employer these days who expected me to be in the office more than once a week.

I am sure you can find something to meet your needs.

That's great. I'm glad those jobs do exist more than I realised.
I'll have a look at LinkedIn as PP recommended. Lots of websites make it tricky to filter the remote or hybrid jobs I found.

OP posts:
Bouledeneige · 25/11/2022 08:30

It depends on industry but quite a lot of jobs in digital, marketing and consultancy now allow completely hone based working. My nephew, a management consultant, lives in Lisbon and works for companies all over Europe and the US and my friend's son, in marketing, lives in Argentina and works for a global car company.

Auntiepaella · 25/11/2022 08:30

The job site Indeed also have an option to show only remote working jobs- I’d definitely recommend looking there too. Good luck with your job hunt 😊

gannett · 25/11/2022 08:50

Hard to be specific without knowing your role but the advantage of being remote is how far afield you can look. Such as international companies who need coverage in a European timezone but who may not necessarily even have an office space in the UK. Or UK companies whose office isn't local to you.

MajorCarolDanvers · 25/11/2022 08:53

Lots of charities are fully remote for desk based staff.

Suits me. I will never do M-F 9-5 in an office again

Whichwhatnow · 25/11/2022 08:57

I'm a lawyer (in-house) and have been a consultant on short term contracts since before the pandemic. Every job I've had since has been fully remote. Range of companies from FMCG to software/tech to civil service.

I live in the SW and most company HQs are in London so I just let them know that I'm only looking for fully remote - hasn't been an issue. I've been to my current job's office once to meet my manager and will be going in again shortly for the Xmas party. All expenses paid which is nice!

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