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.

But you are agreeing with me

Yes WFH is a joy.

Instead of being in my car at 6.30am, for an hours commute I am logged on and working. Most evenings the same, leaving the office at 5 rarely happens as I’m trying to catch up on the admin after spending hours of the day on a Teams call.

For the last fortnight I’ve been quite unwell but there’s an expectation that you can continue as normal as it’s not the same as “getting into the office”, on the days I’ve finished early feeling rubbish, the work phone pings away, so you know there’s a ton of stuff waiting for the morning.

My mother’s battling stage three cancer and the treatment regime has been challenging my boss has been “good” suggesting I can take my laptop to appointments and keep on top of things whilst “hanging around”.

Before Covid I spent 20 years working, and travelling to distant offices so I fully appreciate the changes and benefits. Not everyone who works from home is able to do the washing, pick the kids up, get a bit of shopping done. Not everyone who is in their place of work is 100% busy all the time, constantly.

So tired of the weekly MN threads that WFH is easy.

I work from home. I have done since the first lockdown.
My boss told us straight away - If you're too sick to work, it doesn't matter if you're WFH, you don't work.
Today is a different day, due to the 'Microsoft' issue. We can't work, so we've been chilling in one way or another.

Yes, I've done both and having to "go to work" is much more limiting and very tiring, although I think working from home also has some significant downsides.

I really dislike the part of my job that us WFH, so isolating.

I would never be in the garden in a sunny day either, my laptop overheats, I can't see the screen, leaders expect ‘TEAMS’ meetings, with camera at any point in the day.

However, I work with schools and more and more support staff (TA’s, admin) are leaving because the WFH offer and other terms are is so good.
For instance a school admin officer, offered a 4 day week (rather than 5 in school). fully WFH, school run time recognised, so WRAC needed before and after school and a salary of £10,000 per year more.
Of course she has accepted the building society job, the school just can't compete.

I love wfh, with my arthritis it gives me more time in the morning to get up and take my many meds before settling down to work rather than having to commute and remember to pack all the pills in my bag. I can also concentrate better with my ND condition and I don't miss the social bit in the office. Last time I was in one, it was so bad that I almost constant stress that had me on anti depressants. When covid came along and we had to wfh I came off my anti depressants within two years. It works for some people, others hate it which is fine.

Voted YABU because I think the majority do get it. However I can completely understand why those who do not work from home would have envy.

To offer the flip side though it can also be very isolating. There's noone to spitball a tough work decision with or have a coffee cooler chat. I have to cover the costs for things like owning a printer, printing stuff even though it's for work. Have had to buy my own office equipment too and it's nowhere near as comfortable as the desk/chair etc I had at the big office. I also pay the electricity for heating 'the office', making a cup of tea these days etc. Our energy and water use is noticeably increased since the days when the house was empty 5 days a week. Also I'm always in when the cold callers knock 😂

For me personally the pros far outweigh the cons, which is why I do it!

I work from home and could not imagine not doing so now. I do t take the piss but do take my lunch break in the garden or go for a walk on a nice day.

I had the day off today so went to get my hair done. Woman in the next chair working on laptop while having her highlights done. Pops in her headphones and joins and online meeting. Heard her say “oh hi everyone, I have no camera today. I’m waiting for a call back from IT. So yeah, sorry about that (little chuckle)” I was 😲

I do a mixture. I totally get I am lucky and grateful I can wfh.

Ong how funny but how cheeky too. I would never dream of doing that. I am the same as you I don't take rhe mick.

I’m not following your logic. Very few people who work from home have always worked from home , so of course they get it, they have all done it.

Yeah, of course I know that there are perks. That's why many of choose WFH jobs. It's not about "not getting it". Most people who WFH also have experience of working in person. I've gone for WFH while DS was at nursery, switching to in person role when he starts primary school.

There are pros and cons either way. Some people love WFH, others hate it.

I am delighted that the one positive thing that came out of COVID was an increase in flexibility for people who work. Other countries have offered this for years but for some reason in this country we view anyone who doesn't trek into the workplace as a slacker.

If you want to WFH and are able to, and if WFH gives you a better work/life balance then that's fantastic.

WFH can dramatically change the quality of life for some people. It's also helpful to individuals who are ND and may find the workplace overwhelming and difficult to concentrate.

Some people get depressed at home, and struggle. It's not great for everyone.

I think having the flexibility to go to the workplace or WFH is the ideal solution, with neither side judging or dismissing the other for their choice.

The whole conversation about WFH has become so tribal, like many things.

If you're in a job where it's just not feasible to WFH and you'd really like to, I empathise. I guess it comes down to a personal choice really - what is the most important to you? It's never too late to make a change or to find something different.

I’m sorry but your company is taking the piss. My company and everyone I have experience of, provide the work from home equipment. We also get an allowance for energy costs and for coffees as they are free in the office, it’s shocking you’re so out of pocket.

Well, yes, thats why I do it.
But the downsides are also not to be ignored.
It can be isolating and lonely.
and you get people who dont wfh, sneering at those who do, who think its an easy ride and we all just lie out in the garden in the sun.
But yep, its bloody brilliant. I have a fabulous job, and I reared 3 kids doing it too.

I do a bit of office bit of home and bit of out and about seeing people. Been home today and with the warm weather I haven’t really been doing very much. Work is a doss nowadays for me compared with how it used to be.

I was operational for 25 years and only in the last year have been wfh. I'm 43 and yes with a young family the advantages are brilliant. When I was operational I felt the same as you. Never understood when wfh people said they were 'tired' and didn't have the commute, while I was either stuck in traffic or standing jiggering about in the tube for an hour each way. However, I don't understand why anyone who doesn't need the benefits of working from home (ie, family responsibilities) would want to. I definitely do not recommend it for the young and single - or any age for that matter! Why on earth would you be satisfied with seeing colleagues through screens? I know days like this are hard but trust me, you cannot beat the team feeling that you can from being on site somewhere, I miss it a lot. I also miss my home just being my home and knowing when I'm at home, that's it, I don't have to think about work.

I now wfh after having worked as a nurse. Had to leave due to ill health. I have taken a pay cut. I suppose I do save quite abit of money as not paying to travel. I work for a charity..I am unable to work in my garden however! I am on a support line so at my desk. I consider myself really really lucky.

I am NHS and WFH majority of the time

You can completely beat the feeling of being on site with the team.
Its the feeling of NOT being on site with the team.
Its the best part of WFH.
My dd loves it. No kids for her and she has no interest in going on site.

I know I'm super weird and a complete freak of nature, but I am able to concentrate both inside and outside. I know, I know - I'm a true miracle.

Yep agree with the posters who have said we absolutely do get it and that's why we are carrying on doing it!

And yes there are cons too like having to buy all your own office equipment and the cost of heating and electricity in the winter.

Back when I first graduated going into an office job was seen as a bit of a cop out by some of my peers. "Can't imagine anything worse than spending 40 hours a week in an office" one of my friends said. An ex boyfriend of mine called me a "paper pusher". He didn't have a high opinion of office workers, I think he became a lab manager, wonder if he's ever eaten his words 😂

Those of you who work for the NHS and are remote, what jobs do you do? In my last NHS job I had manager who was relatively supportive and I could often work from home but in this one despite an occupational health statement and the fact 80% of my job is doable from home the manager is very reluctant to let me do so. I start a course in the autumn that I really hope will mean I'll be able to go back to remote work on completion but I'd like to know what kinds of jobs are out there

If course the manager swans off whenever they feel like it and our senior management is less use than a chocolate teapot. At least you can eat a chocolate teapot.

Voted YABU because I work from home and I do get it, that's why I like working from home.

FWIW I worked in an office for years with a 1 hour commute each way.

I get it, I really do!