Sorry, not sorry, but wfh really is much easier

[Jeannie88]

I know it's become the norm, especially post covid, but do those who wfh realise how much easier their lives are?

Sorry, but I have found it a bit pathetic and embarrassing that there has been a big defiance of 'going into office' once a fortnight to be such an horrific ordeal?

Don't you all realise how fortunate you are? No commute, time at home to do things those of us have to do after a day of being on our feet, all frontline and retail etc then look after our children?

Sp my point from.personal experience. We are a group of 6 friends (f) and go out regularly together. When we have been to midweek gigs, comedy nights, meal, the 4 who wfh joke how they can roll out of bed and be online within minutes to show present, then have breakfast and just work at their own pace and even during teams meeting they can sit back and contribute what they have to.

Then, the 2 of us who have to get up at 6am, dress for work, ready to drive so sensible of alcohol intake the night before and buy ourselves soft drinks in rounds or even drive and give lifts. Then do a full intensive day with full on human interaction and check e mails on the evening when we get the time to do so.

Of course childcare issues come into this. We who don't wfh have to take our DC to breakfast club or childminder then go on to work, the 3 of the 4 who have DC drop them off at school and rush back having been seen to log on early but not really working as getting them ready.

Ok so my observation and opinions based on this. I guess all the moaning on MN about having to go into the office (which really isn't so hard is it?) had incited me to raise this point.

Oh and I do have DP who wfh and he totally agrees with me. He's hardworking and doesn't do the slob thing, but agrees, in his own words. 'It's a piece of piss compared to going to the office and even that was so easy compared to your job'.

So please those who have the privilege of wfh stop moaning! Honestly, how would the world work if everyone wfh? It wouldn't.

She didn't distinguish, she made a sweeping generalisation.

Any reason your DP isn't leaving your children to school and pretending to be working while doing so? Could it be because you've heard of that from a very small minority of people, if any, who wfh and have applied it across the board (except ofcourse for your "hardworking" DP)?

Anyway - jealousy isn't a good look on anyone. If you want to WFH then find a WFH job but don't underestimate the benefits of getting a complete separation of your work and home life - many people would be happy to have your life.

What a strange concept for a thread.

Why do you think your working conditions and those of other, different people are something that remote/hybrid workers need to take into account? You've completely failed to explain the relevance.

Go and get a wfh job then

You sound bitter and jealous OP.

Basically everyone I know who wfh

I think childminder is a clear exception- it's 'frontline' even though it's in your home.
Caring for a disabled child or relative with dementia also obviously isn't the kind of work OP is talking about.

OP, I agree it's much easier and I'm grateful for it. I haven't seen tons of moaning myself tbh.

I could work from home in my current job. I wouldn't want to. I'd be lonely, bored and my mental health would suffer. I hate the commute, but I prefer it to WFH.

Of course it is. That’s why I do it. And why I work part time. I will never return to a 40 hour working week, and I will never return to commuting.

No one seems to get as bitter about working part time though, although it’s a similar privilege in some respects!

I WFH since covid hit and yes its much easier and more convenient. That's WHY people moan about having to go in once a week or whatever - we've had a taste of the good life and don't want the commute and the face to face anymore 😂
I manage a team and its amazing how many people's washing machines break down on their office day (or child is sick/bus didn't arrive etc.). We've started having people make up for it on another day to reduce the excuses. I secretly agree with them though, my commute is 3 hours round, of course I'd rather WFH and already be at home when I log off!
I can't pretend work though, my role wouldn't allow for me to be off dealing with the kids while I'm supposed to be online

But from your OP, it sounds like your WFH friends are loving life, not moaning.

I wfh because I'm disabled and in significant pain if I have to commute. In fact there's no way I can hold a 5 day a week in the office job down

Do you know how easy you have it to not be in pain all the time and in significant pain if you have to leave the house and move around a lot?

Do you realise how fortunate you are to not have been in an accident which crippled you and left you in pain and unable to work on your feet?

Have you considered your privilege? Could you maybe stop moaning about being able to do a job that many disabled people wouldn't be able to do thereby limiting our career and employment opportunities?

That's different, you're not sat in front a keyboard and are actively working. Your job is isn't the easier wfh I was posting. Respect. Xx

Civil servants in Office for National Statistics are threatening to strike because they have been asked to do 2 days a week in the office. So yes people are moaning. I think ultimately the WFH brigade will be passed over for promotions and pay rises/ bonuses.

OP: makes whole multi paragraph post about why going into the office every day sucks

Also OP: why doesn't anyone want to go into the office?

🤪

I would never do an in person office role again now. Neither would my partner. Not even one day a week, it's too much faff.

You sound jealous just apply for WFH jobs if you don't like it?

I've been promoted twice since WFH. I suspect I wouldn't have been in the office. WFH let's me be myself.

I love wfh. I am hybrid. I go into the office 3 days a week. On the 2 days i wfh, I mostly watch Netflix and spend time in the gym. Game changer!

I despise working from home I am so utterly lonely here

It's odd that you're complaining about people who wfh moaning about having to go into the office, whilst at the same time moaning that you have to go out to work.

If you think you'd be happier working remotely then why don't you look for remote jobs on a jobsite?

Change jobs and wfh yourself?

For me it’s swings and roundabouts friends and family still think because I’m in the house I’m available to look after children or do favours or take long personal calls.

It took me a long time to get used to wfh permanently. I miss the ad hoc chats and social interaction. It took me a while to get a balance and I no longer respond to all calls and email’s immediately or accept as many meetings as I never got any down time. I was spending hours in front of a screen.

But yes I can roll out of bed into the office and I now take breaks away, just as I would in the office. And I am able to be more flexible because I can work in the early morning or evening whereas in the office I rarely stayed after half four. I also do some face to face work when I want or need to because I feel very isolated without it.

However I don’t think it’s great for learning and networking and that is what has kept me fresh and my work interesting. I’m sure I wouldn’t have had the same opportunities if I had always wfh.

Can I give an employer's view?

I employ people for 2 reasons.

1. To make my life easier
2. To make money

For me, WFH staff do neither.

My life is not made easier as the walk-in's and the phone calls have to be spread around fewer people.

They don't make me any more money than in the office staff and don't pick up new skills from their colleagues.

I agree with this. Lots of people get promoted WFH my partner just got an 8k pay rise. Also wfh has benefits for the companies. They can access workers with the right skillset across the entire of the UK not just those within commuting distance.

It's not luck, it's a deliberate choice.

One you are free to make if you want to.

No need for jealousy, just make the change if you want to!!!