To ask if you (also) just ignore your "required" days in the office?

[Everythingisnumbersnow]

I am supposed to do two days. But the office is a minging hotdesk box full of coughing weirdos and the toilets are smeared with shit by 910am.

I can't do my job well in the office so I just don't go. I do manage people and they seem to appreciate the flexibility (half go into the office sometimes, half never do, we perform well).

Anyway it's been a real eye opener for the power of low key just defying silly rules.

Anyone else?

(If they cracked down I'd go elsewhere)

You are framing what you are doing as an act of rebellion, which is an odd stance from a senior manager.

And rather childish.

I'm not convinced the OP is who they say they are TBH.

Why is it odd when senior managers recognise that they too are employees? It's embarrassing when someone who doesn't own a business or organisation identifies with the ownership.

I don't think it's childish to assert oneself it's childish to meekly try to please.

Anyway just had a very cheering chat with some law firm partners in the City which concluded with "the office is done it's just a matter of time before the old guard realise it".

Because a lunch break takes perhaps 45mins, maybe an hour.
The exercise class is 1 hr, plus travel, plus chatting... and often coffee after!
So it's hardly the same.

nope.

Most classes are 25- 30 minutes, my gym is round the corner so I used to attend 3 classes a week - admittedly I was restricted to the 12.15 ones, and I got back in time for my 1pm calls (albeit sweaty)

Never once have I gone for a coffee after a class, or stopped for a chat (too out of breath, making it back to the car is enough.

You're misunderstanding.
My post was clearly about a class I go to, which is an hour, I go regularly, I know how long it is.
And yes, people regularly go for coffee, that's where I've heard them brag that they're "WFH".
So it happens.

I think you’re assuming that people have a choice. I agree with the other poster - there is a real divide in my organisation between those based at home and those in more practical jobs they require office or site work. I am in the latter category and I can’t take my kid into the office, but it is almost ridiculous how many people aren’t available between 3-4 and not taking the hit on their pay of being part time.

I would say there is a lack of oversight from management that has led to this, but long term it is going to create problems. There is already massive resentment.

Oh you sound a joy op.

I go into the office every day even though I work for myself and dont have to. Because I like my co-workers and enjoy social interaction.

Healthy social interaction doesn't require a captive audience.

That's because you make it very clear on this thread that you dislike human interaction that isn't virtual.

Your arrogance on this thread is breathtaking.

The “you sound a joy” comment was more about you wishing ill on someone so that they were forced to agree with you. Rather than you sounding just an angry misanthrope @Everythingisnumbersnow

So what's going to happen to people who don't have office space at home? Are you happy for other family members to be in the same room during meetings?

I imagine "senior managers" like the OP claims to be and senior lawyers and other people on those kind of salaries have dedicated studies in their houses.

I remember in lockdown the more junior members of our team engaging in Teams calls in their bedrooms.

I agree it is mostly older people and people more extablished in their careers who just don't want to set foot in an office.

For new starters and those early on in their careers it is less easy to build up the team ethos with someone you have only seen online.

I once worked in a shared building where a disgruntled ex employee took a shit in the corridor to make a point. Beautiful!

We don’t even have an office at my current job and I WFH FT. It’s great!

Well. We get an hour for lunch. I’ve never been told by any of my line managers not to go to my exercise class or my PT sessions in work hours as my lunch break. Most people are fully supportive as we have the full day to get our work done and the SLT promote health and wellness as a way of living.

I think sadly a lot of the bad bits of office culture are enforced because "Nancy will be upset if she goes in and you don't".
Maybe Nancy needs some amigas.

That's a bit unfair OP! If there's a rule, it should apply to everyone equally and enforced equally.
Like another PP said, ignore it if you like but don't then be surprised if you're first in line for redundancy/low down on the PRP or aren't given promotion....Can't have it both ways.

If your workplace is heavily unionised it’s being run for the benefit of the employees not the customers, so do what you want. There will be no consequences apart from to your customers (who probably have no choice to go elsewhere, given unions tend to only exist in monopolies)

I agree 👍

Oof that's harsh! You mean the boomers who didn't have a choice and view the whole wfh as a bit snowflakey? Plus the many non boomers in non office careers' mentality?
Having to 'trudge' to an office, you make it sound like soldiers in the trenches! Now that was tje definition of hard...

Haha very good

Totally agree @Everythingisnumbersnow I’ve not been in the office since last October, absolutely loathe the place. I can’t stand hot desks where someone with a sweaty arse has had their grubby hands on the keyboard, the complete twats that strut about trying to look and sound important, the pleasant but dullards who rabbit about nothing like that’s their purpose rather than doing actual work. Don’t get me started on the temperature or smells. Thankfully I’m very good at my job, there are very few people in U.K. that can do it and they need me more than I need them, so they’ve given up asking me to show my face. If there’s a reason to be anywhere apart from the comfort of my own home, they know I’ll be there!

Agree. Imagine any other job you didn't turn up the workplace! Sorry boss, I can fight the fires from home lol 😆

That's a bit unfair then, the rest of the team pock up your attendance. I'm sure some of them don't actually want to either but aren't as vocal about it.

Hmm yes, is this every day? Clearly not as OP isn't in every day. May have happened a couple of times when someone had the squits. One of my jobs is in an office building and if this happened there would be complaints and resolved. Exaggerated I think and even if not, another cubicle?

It has occurred to me that since lockdown a lot of people have forgotten office etiquette.

They indulge in their bad habits when working from home and then don't know how to behave in the office.

On the one occasion where one of the toilets was left in a state an email went round asking everyone to be mindful of how they left the toilets. I suspect one of the managers saw it and decided to take action instead of whinging on an online forum about how they hate working in the office because of a dirty toilet.

I don’t go in every week and don’t expect my team to but it has to be the exception and agreed - or at least notified. I tell my boss if there is a reason so it at least above board.