If employers were mandated to allow employees to WFH unless there was a clear reason to need someone physically in a workplace

[OptimismvsRealism]

All the trains and buses at commuter time would be so much less hideous

Infections would be down

Diets healthier

Work life balance more serene

Why do humans always work against their own interests?

I wfh permanently and have done for 7 years now but I genuinely think the better option is greater flexibility on hours, where it can be accomodated.

Previous places I've worked have had core hours of 11 - 3pm, so everyone must be in for 7 hours that cover that period but outside of that, can work when they like. e.g. 7am-3pm or 11am - 7pm. That spreads out the commute and allows people to travel when suits them best and do other things, like school runs.

Combine this with more allowance to condense hours into 4 days (if you want) and I think it's a winner.

I also worry about the impact on women’s rights as it seems a lot of mums are taking on extra childcare while working to save on nursery. I rarely hear of dads doing it. My colleague is away from her desk 2-4 while she does school pick up and is then online with 6yo fully in her care. Not attending a meeting during your work hours for childcare reasons like that isn’t acceptable.

I've started a new role in a new work place and I am a very experienced professional who is taking a couple of steps back down the career ladder for health reasons (so I chose a largely remote role). It's so much more isolating than working hybrid /working in the office.

There's something intangible but important we lose when fully remote.

I felt much better once I'd had my first fortnightly office day (the very first day was an induction into the tech so I didn't meet the team for long)

If it's like that for me as an established professional I cannot imagine how it much feels sometimes for juniors at the beginning of their careers.

I’d like to see it compulsory that if you meet the essential criteria for a job and live within a 2 mile radius you are guaranteed an interview. An easy way to cut down on traffic and then shorter commutes, more walking and cycling and maybe even nip home at lunch. Much more flexible.

Those who own and rent out thousands of sq feet of office space would lose out, so it’s not going to happen. As with most things it’s those with the money that decides. A full office is worth more than an empty one. That’s what I think anyway.

Completely agree!
I love WFH. After COVID we went hybrid and I think how on earth did I do 5 full office days...
But there's so much collaboration, networking etc things you just overhear and people you meet by chance, that contributes to stuff.
Also easier for new joiners to be sitting next to more experienced staff.

So many people looking for 'full-time remote' and these aren't the low paid either who are usually not so demanding. Will they sing a different tune when their jobs disappear?

I absolutely loathe being stuck in a room with people. I loathe being stuck on a train with people. I don't believe either are essential. I am glad gen z is so stuck on the internet that gen x will be the last of the office insisters.

10 years ago my DH took redundancy from his IT role as it was largely outsourced to Romania. Due to contractual reasons it made sense for him to take voluntary redundancy then, rather than trying to stick it out.

Wfh is really bad in a lot of jobs for new starters, especially new graduates and trainees. We saw it in the covid years at my company, the new graduates who started in that time took a lot longer to progress. We need to be able to develop the younger generations coming up, it’s no good just to think about ourselves, it’s best for them and therefore for the company for people to be working in the office. That’s why a lot of companies are going back to office working. Hybrid is a good balance and I don’t think it’s unreasonable for employers to be requesting this.

I don't think anybody can make a blanket judgement on whether anything is essential for all jobs.
I mean, if all you do is same-y tasks with minimal collaboration outside your team, there's no reason to WFH.
I know some people working from offices where they barely talk to anybody. Come in, head down to work, go home.
However most large companies have globally distributed teams, used to working remotely. It's still useful to have people in an office together.

FYI it's our graduates (I think they're younger than gen Z actually) who spend more time in the office! They can't afford to rent their own places with space to WFH comfortably if they ever hope to buy a house. Try WFH from a house share.

It's older people who insist on WFH because , like you they claim family responsibilities. But also because they have quiet, nice big houses to work from comfortably.

I'd have done much better if I'd WFH as a junior. I started my current job remotely in 2021 and it was the best intro ever

WFH is amazing

Go in if you like but don't make others do it

because sadly for a lot of companies productivity has decreased as working from home has increased. During Covid people made an effort now, the research suggests that they don’t. The upshot is that the selfish lazy few have spoiled it for everyone else who could be relied on to do a fair days work 😥

The gen Zs in my office are the ones who are in the most. They’re new, enthusiastic and want to learn, and see the value of being there learning from others face to face. We lost a lot of really good new graduates because more senior staff weren’t coming in which was awful for the company. Since 2 days a week in the office was mandated most people are a lot happier and we aren’t losing as many.

I'd soon teach them why WFH is better🤣

Oh, and also more experienced staff often don't see why they need to come in when 'they' can WFH perfectly fine.
Anyway OP if you love remote so much just get a job that allows it. There are plenty. No need to bother what other employers do.

It’s not though for a lot of people, or for lots of companies. If you prefer working from home and have found a fully remote job that’s great for you, but it’s not for everyone and it doesn’t work well in every job.

I have a job that allows it. But I think everyone should be able to access one easily.

Loneliness is a mental health epidemic.

Thread earlier today on this, I guess for the employer it’s due to the fact that some are WFH with young children and not as productive as they used to/should be.
There was a thread where someone was spending half the day at the gym.
I guess all these types of situations ruining it for those who are genuinely working from home.

So how would teachers, cleaners, chefs and nurses WFH?
Your statement makes no sense. If people really want WFH they will chose a job and profession that allows it.
What does 'easily' even mean? If you choose a profession that doesn't have much WFH well that's on you.
As much as you like WFH others prefer some office time so everybody just choose a company that aligns to their preferences.
Job done

Since 2 days a week in the office was mandated most people are a lot happier

That's not my experience, in IT. Almost everyone prefers to work from home if they can. It's better for concentration, and for keeping a work/life balance. Yes, jobs are being off-shored, but that would happen anyway regardless of the office situation. In fact, it might make even more sense to off-shore if staff were in the office all the time - lower costs running an office in Manila or Bangalore.

I am still fascinated by these people who can concentrate at home. At home there are loads of things that need to be done, as well as loads of books to read and other ways to spend time. I wfh one or two days a week & find it so difficult to maintain concentration.

I also work in IT and actually some collaborative in the office is beneficial. I can swivel over to see what colleagues are working on, or help someone out.
We do deep work on WFH days and use the office time to exchange ideas, etc.
I get that a lot of people' are head down and don't want to engage with others
And TBF if you're a small company there isn't much complexity.
But not for a large company.

Hybrid workers are happier than those full time in the office and those fulltime at home.

Exactly.