To think people who work from home don’t get it?

[Wfhwhat]

It’s not just the reduced stress as no travel, but it’s also the reduced sick days as it’s easier to wfh than go in if unwell. It’s being able to have a contractor at your home instead of booking a day off. It’s cheaper. You have more time with family.

I work in the nhs so there is literally no scope for me to work from home. I do love my job but had I known office jobs would turn in to work from home, I wouldn’t have gone into the nhs. I know I could change if I wanted to… but it’s not exactly realistic. I’m 48, two kids, trained in what I do.

just having a moan really after seeing so many wfh photos on Instagram out in the garden today.

I WFH and I was a teacher / senco for 20 plus years. I definitely get it. The perks are good but the money isn't brilliant even though im still working in education and making decisions alongside heads.

WFH has only been a thing for me since covid so I do get it. There are also downsides to WFH. Like today I'm sweltering with a fan on instead of being in an air conditioned office. I can't work outside because of hay fever

Prior to WFH I worked in the office, so do get it. Some of my teammates still work in the office too, so...

I'm sorry you're feeling down 💐

I was a matron in an NHS hospital now I work from home. I get it all too well thank you!

I get it, my husband and I both quit our jobs, which we had professional qualifications for, and took a substantial pay cut to get WFH jobs because of all the reasons you mention. Turns out that when I WFH I'm actually really good at my job whereas I'm not very productive in an office, so I've been promoted a few times and now I'm on more than I was on before. It wasn't easy but it was what we wanted for us and our family.

You don't want to do that so you're still in a job in which you don't WFH.

You can't then be jealous and bitter about it.

Not completely true - GDPR laws.

My friend’s son who is quadriplegic and requires 24/7 care. Works from home with voice-controlled IT equipment. Without WFH ability, he would be living a very small life on disability benefits.
Someone just above your comment who is disabled but is able to work from home. Many people with chronic conditions aren’t able to travel but can do the job. What would you rather them do?

I think most people who work from home have had other jobs....

Dp works from home full time but his last job had him out of the house in central London for 12 hours a day, he is well aware of how good he has it now 😂

I'm in Scotland no sun here! I worked from home until my employer said I have to go back to the office (my line manager has a control issue) even though I'm off site in an office on my own. I don't need to be here it's as good as working at home. But I hate being at home I have young kids I can't work and look after them so they go to nursery / primary and I'd hate being surrounded by the morning rush mess. I prefer to sit in my office where I have a clearer mind and have the work / home separation. When I worked from home I actually worked harder because I felt the need to prove that I was working whilst at home. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Why do you think we ‘don’t get it’? And what do you want people to do, exactly? Go to the office just to make you feel better? It’s not anyone else’s fault that you can’t work from home.

Yes, sometimes people suggest paying a premium to those who to to the office to work, but honestly it should be the other way round. Those in the office paid as normal and people who wfh should be paid less. They have no commute, so more time at home, and no paying for fuel, parking or public transport either.

YABU because what do you mean 'don't get it'? Of course they do... that is why they work from home. Before 2020 almost all of us were in the office/work full-time, so obviously we get the benefits? That's the whole point. I took a pay cut and moved jobs to stay WFH 4 days a week because of how much it benefits my life.

Much rather work in an office than home. I learned HOW to work, met people, learned how it all worked. WFH is fine if you are settled and have a family, it is terrible if just starting out.

This. It's not all roses.

Some of the responses to OP that say people who wfh are lazy shirkers etc I believe are borne out of envy and lack of understanding what many of the jobs entail.

I'm lucky to wfh when I want to, my organisation is progressive, flexible and happy to have staff work in a way that's best for them with the understanding the work gets done and some meetings, business critical events are done in specific locations and in person. It's transformed my life and increased my productivity and I'm more likely to stay with my employer.

Just because some don't have the same opportunity doesn't mean you have to denigrate it and try to prevent other people having flexible options. Use it as an opportunity to look for work that offers you want you want of a discussion with your employer.

It's also forgotten that flexible working allows better access to quality employment for key groups of people who were/are often forgotten - disabled, caring commitments etc.

I spent years commuting doing 70hr weeks in stressful circumstances and I know exactly what it's like. Some people just don't like other people having something they don't.

Yeah we are heavily monitored
I can use my phone freely hence being on here but can't leave my desk

Worse than those ungrateful and thoughtless WFH'ers...

Have you heard about self employed people, freelancer types...

Not only do we WFH but we work the hours we fancy, generally, we get to book whatever time we like off - i can tell you now, I'll have as many Christmasses off as I damn well please...

Some of us set our own daily/hourly rates, some of us can even multitask and do two jobs at once (there has been times I've done this, and yes both parties I was working for were aware, as long as the work is done and the duties fulfilled they care not a jot!)...

I mean I don't get any sick pay, theres no one to chat to in the office, I can be quite isolated, I have to save like a gold hoarding dragon against the times I may be unable to work and there is zero security...

But I can definitely post instagram pics of my lovely sunny days if I like...

The thing is, some of us decided we'd compromise on some things, in order to have others. We made our choices and get on with it. (Some of us didn't have a choice, I am not employable in any office type 'turn up every day and stay til 5pm' type job. Its this or out of work benefits for me...)

You had the same choices (broadly speaking) as others, you still do. If you hate it THAT much, do something else.

Yep. We know. But that’s the way life is. And there are some trade-offs. I went freelance in order to wfh. Others who are still salaried may be missing out on opportunities. It’s genuinely difficult to switch off from work in the evening, and everyone assumes you’re available all the time. The grass, as they say, is always greener.

Don't get what? The benefits? I fully understand the benefits, that's why I do it. (Of course I'm also lucky enough to be in a job and industry that allows it).

But we do get it, that's why we choose these jobs!!! DH is very envious of my job which allows me to WFH 3 days a week. But he would NEVER do my job because, in his words, it's really boring. Just documents, calls, spreadsheets. He likes people, interaction, making a difference.

Swings and roundabouts, like everything else in life!!

Oh and I DID take a paycut, I could have gone to another firm for more money but it only allowed 1 day WFH. Fuck that.

WFH is an opportunity for people to take the proverbial and benefits the middle classes at the expense of 'ordinary' workers. What about social care staff, teachers, nurses, doctors, refuse collectors, domestic and portering staff, delivery drivers etc etc etc etc
I have met people at allotments/hairdressers/school runs/nailbars all WFH.
I rest my case.
I have neighbours who WFH and offer frequent childcare to their GC, go swimming and bike riding, all whilst WFH

Thank you for saying this. It's much appreciated. OP, you would probably moan less about not wfh if you had no other option.

I said you’re unreasonable because of course we get it. And we are very grateful for it. Don’t forget that up until 4 years ago we were 100% office based too in most cases so we know all those frustrations. And it’s true - I haven’t had a single sick day for a bug since WFH. Not even through covid. So surely that’s better for the economy?

Except for days like today where I could kill for an air conditioned office. Then I’m less grateful.

I WFH before the Pandemic due to a health condition that unexpectedly developed. No teams, never had much face to face with manager. Went through love and hate cycle with it. Was only early 30s and lived alone. Eventually I had to give up my extra weighting that I had for WFH. Didn't want to be seen as a special case.

Got new job hybrid working. Then we had the Pandemic. Everyone allowed to WFH and keep the extra weighting as seen as good for business.

Not sure what my point is but I guess you never know what life has around the corner.

I don't get this argument. You're paid for the work you do surely not how long it takes you to get there? What about some one who lives next door compared to someone with an hours drive? A sliding scale?

The commute and amount of free time you have is nothing to do with your work as far as I'm concerned (I don't work from home, impossible in my job)