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Original poster

To think that employer shouldn't be so prescriptive about wfh

53 replies

fedupofnightshifts · 07/12/2023 16:12

I've just got a new part time role as a reservations administrator for a major hotel group, which fits in with my main nursing job and is a step up from the part time hotel work role which I was doing to make up hours and increase my single parent income. The role will entail some 'onsite' working at one of their hotels which is reasonably local to me, but there is the option of some home working too given that it's mainly an administrative rather than public facing position. Because it's a global chain the role entails some shift working, a mixture of earlies, lates, days and overnights, which is fine for me because it fits around my nursing commitments and also childcare/school hours.

I haven't done home working before so I'm not totally au fait with what is/isn't allowed by other employers, but to me, some of the requirements of the role seem to be overly prescriptive and unreasonable, and although would be expected if I were working on the premises, I would have thought there would be more flexibility if not.

For example, if I'm working a day shift which is 8am-8pm, I have to take breaks at prescribed times, so morning break at 10am for 15 mins, lunch at 1pm for 30 mins, and then 2 afternoon breaks of 10 mins each at 3pm and 5pm. I would have expected more flexibility with breaks tbh.

If it's an anti-social hours shift, I have to be 'at my desk' for the duration of the time, as opposed to just being logged on and going and doing some thing else. But I guess that because it's an international company there will be loads to do from outside the UK?

And what would you expect regarding work wear? If I'm working in the hotel then it's uniform as I would expect like I've worn before which is a corporate skirt suit with a tie. But I wasn't expecting to have to wear it for home working, but the guidlelines/rules state that because of the nature of the role I could receive a Teams/video call at any time so I need to be properly presented, plus they state that it's important for being in a working frame of mind. So even at 2am I've got to be sat there tie done up and jacket on.

I guess it's the job, I don't know? What guidelines/rules does anyone else have to work to for home working?

OP posts:
NChance · 07/12/2023 16:14

We have allocated lunches and breaks
No uniform but we never have meetings/video stuff
And yes I have to be sat at my desk for the full shift

Tandora · 07/12/2023 16:21

I work from home in much more flexible conditions, but it’s a very different job- so in the office we also don’t have set break times and uniform etc. however, I would say as a general rule it’s fair to expect that the conditions of work would officially be the same at home or onsite, if those are the conditions to do the role effectively. . Working from home just means working located from home, it doesn’t change the nature of the job. having said that, can they really monitor whether you are “at your desk” as apposed to logged on and elsewhere?

CrispsandCheeseSandwich · 07/12/2023 16:42

If it's a job with set break times while on site, I'd probably expect that to be the same while at home.

I'd expect to be logged on working the whole time.

The clothes, it's maybe a bit picky but if it's the expectations in the office, then I can see their logic. You can always have the jacket to hand and quickly put it on if a call comes in.

Turfwars · 07/12/2023 16:45

I would also be at my desk for the duration of my shift with the exception of toilet breaks or making a cuppa, same as when in the office. I don't have a uniform but under my oodie I'll have my casual-smart work attire I can whip off the oodie when a video call comes in.

Before I start, I'll stick on a wash, at my tea break or lunch break I'll hang it out. I might occasionally go out to meet the postman, or turn on the slow cooker but I've my work headset on so I can hear any calls come through, and feel that being allowed to WFH in my role is a perk of the job, so I'm not going to fuck it up.

ZiriForGood · 07/12/2023 16:48

It sounds relatively strict, but not necessarily unreasonable.
What is the ratio of "just make sure the work is done" kind of work to "be available and promptly react to anything that happens"?

Ghentsummer · 07/12/2023 16:53

Could you not earn more from doing bank shifts as a nurse?

That would frustrate me, particularly the set breaks, but I can see the thinking behind it. It does seem like the easiest way to manage home working by having it replicate what is done in the office.

Original poster
fedupofnightshifts · 07/12/2023 17:34

Ghentsummer · 07/12/2023 16:53

Could you not earn more from doing bank shifts as a nurse?

That would frustrate me, particularly the set breaks, but I can see the thinking behind it. It does seem like the easiest way to manage home working by having it replicate what is done in the office.

If I wanted to do bank shifts then it would have to be out of my area which I wouldn't really want to do, plus tbh I'm generally fucked by the end of each nursing shift anyway (or at least my poor feet are usually fucked anyway), so the opportunity to do something more sedentary or at least less frenetic is a welcome relief

OP posts:
CharityShopChic · 07/12/2023 17:48

So even at 2am I've got to be sat there tie done up and jacket on.

I get where they are coming from. They want a customer/client on a video call with someone in their spare room to have exactly the same experience as they would video calling an office. If they didn't specify shirt/tie/dress/jacket you'd get some people thinking it was appropriate to sit there in their jammies or hoodie. It's not the image they want to portray.

StoorieHoose · 07/12/2023 17:52

" have to be 'at my desk' for the duration of the time, as opposed to just being logged on and going and doing some thing else."

They are paying you to sit at the desk (anti social hours or not). Someone video calling in isn't going to wait about for you to finish the housework.

If their policy doesn't suit perhaps it's not the job for you

AllAroundMyCat · 07/12/2023 18:02

Sorry OP, you sound like you want free rein to go about your own life in between calls and meetings.

If only factory/retail/foundry/paramedics/surgeons /trawler crew could do the same.

Original poster
fedupofnightshifts · 07/12/2023 18:06

AllAroundMyCat · 07/12/2023 18:02

Sorry OP, you sound like you want free rein to go about your own life in between calls and meetings.

If only factory/retail/foundry/paramedics/surgeons /trawler crew could do the same.

As I'm also a nurse you don't think I know about that already?

OP posts:
Original poster
fedupofnightshifts · 07/12/2023 18:09

CharityShopChic · 07/12/2023 17:48

So even at 2am I've got to be sat there tie done up and jacket on.

I get where they are coming from. They want a customer/client on a video call with someone in their spare room to have exactly the same experience as they would video calling an office. If they didn't specify shirt/tie/dress/jacket you'd get some people thinking it was appropriate to sit there in their jammies or hoodie. It's not the image they want to portray.

I get that. Obviously if that's what the role requires then that's what I'll do. I just wasn't sure how much leeway other people tend to have if they get some/all of their working days as home working. Like as far as the uniform is concerned, just wearing the top half which is the bit that shows, whereas the company guidelines state that the full uniform has to be worn!

OP posts:
StoorieHoose · 07/12/2023 18:15

"can they really monitor whether you are “at your desk” as apposed to logged on and elsewhere?"

Yes with specific software companies can detect key strokes, mouse movements

Coconutter24 · 07/12/2023 18:21

Everything they are asking sounds quite reasonable. Yes you’re at home but you are still working. It’s irrelevant what other people/companies do when they work from home you just have to follow the rules of your own workplace

MissBuffyAnneSummers · 07/12/2023 18:21

They can specify what they want but I wouldn't want to work for an employer that did this.

MissBuffyAnneSummers · 07/12/2023 18:22

AllAroundMyCat · 07/12/2023 18:02

Sorry OP, you sound like you want free rein to go about your own life in between calls and meetings.

If only factory/retail/foundry/paramedics/surgeons /trawler crew could do the same.

What a silly response.

smilesup · 07/12/2023 18:26

@AllAroundMyCat that is just stupid! I have a couple of jobs. One is in healthcare at that one I absolutely have to be present 100% of the time that is the nature of the role.
However my other job is desk based and I am given absolute free reign as to when I do it as long as I get all of the tasks done. She days I work well over my hours and some days barely any. It makes no odds to the organisation as I do all need to do within my deadlines.

rwalker · 07/12/2023 18:34

Wfh can be a piss takers dream

set breaks eliminates the I was just having a late/early lunch when no one can get hold of them

Calmdown14 · 07/12/2023 18:37

I fail to see how they'd know with some of this.

Perhaps take the view that they are trying to ensure staff understand the professional part and that they don't expect you to be in bed in your pyjamas. On the basis they'll always be some relaxation they've started at stringent.

But as long as you are logged on and no more than a few steps away from your desk you could probably get a drink or do tiny tasks assuming there is a lull in work.

There is presumably no way for them to know what you have on the bottom half. Just wear something plain but comfy so that if you have to stand a reach a light say you are not revealing comedy pyjama pants.

Benibidibici · 07/12/2023 18:39

have to be 'at my desk' for the duration of the time, as opposed to just being logged on and going and doing some thing else."

Ffs op. Wfh is exactly like working in an office except with the commute. The biggest advantages are that you can multi task during lunch & get a load of washing from the machine, eat your own food instead of buying sandwiches.

You seem to have got the wrong idea about this.

DarkForces · 07/12/2023 18:46

What else were you planning to do during your shifts that would mean you're away from your desk?

Original poster
fedupofnightshifts · 07/12/2023 18:52

DarkForces · 07/12/2023 18:46

What else were you planning to do during your shifts that would mean you're away from your desk?

I wasn't planning to be away from my desk for hours on end, but literally I meant is it acceptable/do people fit in other things like hanging out the washing from the machine, or making packed lunches for my children for the next day.

OP posts:
StoorieHoose · 07/12/2023 18:54

Yes. You do that in your breaks

Original poster
fedupofnightshifts · 07/12/2023 18:56

Calmdown14 · 07/12/2023 18:37

I fail to see how they'd know with some of this.

Perhaps take the view that they are trying to ensure staff understand the professional part and that they don't expect you to be in bed in your pyjamas. On the basis they'll always be some relaxation they've started at stringent.

But as long as you are logged on and no more than a few steps away from your desk you could probably get a drink or do tiny tasks assuming there is a lull in work.

There is presumably no way for them to know what you have on the bottom half. Just wear something plain but comfy so that if you have to stand a reach a light say you are not revealing comedy pyjama pants.

Yes I agree with this, I don't know. I have to have a webcam for video calls but I assume this only has to be operational during a call as opposed to some sort of monitoring device.
And the rules do state that full uniform has to be worn, including skirt and tights (though not shoes since it's indoors). So I don't know if it's just easier to wear the whole thing so I don't feel stupid in a shirt/tie/jacket with pj bottoms!

OP posts:
Original poster
fedupofnightshifts · 07/12/2023 18:57

StoorieHoose · 07/12/2023 18:54

Yes. You do that in your breaks

That's ok then. I'm by no means lazy, just not sure what flexibility there is

OP posts: