To think working from home is a cushy number?

[MrsSlimShady]

I’ve got a new job that entails loads of e-learning, and webinars. They said I could do it at home and I literally sat there on the sofa and ate crisps and had cups of tea in my loungewear on the computer.

My DH works 3 days a week at home. He has back to back meetings but also manages to go the shops, go the gym, do exercise classes before work and at lunch time and do other chores. He’ll say his first meeting is at 0900, then nothing till 1130, then he can pop out 3-4pm….. it all goes like this.

I have another job and I have a 2-3 hour commute, and I am on my feet all day. I cannot get one chore done for my outside life. It has to wait till I’m off unless it is a text or email.

I know there are people working from home who work really hard too, but come on, AIBU to say that if you WFH you are really lucky and have it a lot easier than most other people?

I work from home sometimes and have only just stopped for lunch since 8.30 - will be back to it in a minute.

I work from home and yes the work life balance is a definite advantage. I don’t work any less than I have done in office based roles. My WFH roles have been a company decision because there is not enough office space to accommodate all staff. I agree with PP you can easily tell those who are coasting - always answer team chat/unimportant emails to look like they are available but produce very little and rarely, if ever, instigate any activity. Can never give you anything straight away - as either not done or not at their PC to do so.

I find I am more productive at home, because not doing the office social thing (polite conversation, making coffee, discussing wider company stuff). No interruptions. Also easier to prioritise as not faced with someone just turning up at your desk or grabbing you in the lift to ask questions, talk about their projects etc - effectively ‘jumping the queue’ in terms of accessing you as a resource.

I agree it’s a lovely way to work rather than commuting like you. However, daughter works in the same industry based in town, she has a 10 min walk to work, her own permanent work space (no booking or ‘hot desking’), works with a great crowd, can get her nails etc done at lunchtime and can easily go for drinks etc after work. She loves it and chooses to go in to the office although she can WFH. if I was to go back into the office that’s the (albeit rare nowadays) set up that would attract me.

My team takes turns to work from home. I have had totally irresponsible people who became uncontactable because they thought work from home means they didn't need to work. One of my team has 2 young children and is slow to respond during regular working hours. She expects us to be happy that her most productive hours are after 10pm which is a pain to deal with because the rest of us are getting ready for bed at that time. Some others are fantastically productive when working from home because they like the peace and quiet, and the lack of interruptions. I'm now of the opinion that not everyone has the self-discipline or the necessary environment to be able to work from home.

I do a mix of WFH and in the office. Normally one or two days a week WFH and I think there are pros and cons to be honest.

The lack of commute is a definite plus. I can drop DDs at school and be back home and at my desk by 9am, which is great. I can also do a 5 minute job while the kettle is boiling and tea is brewing e.g. put a load of laundry on. I don't see that as any different to having a chat with colleagues in the office in terms of having a short break during the day when I'm not working.

I absolutely could not randomly pop out though, including for the afternoon school run. DDs are at after school club regardless of whether I'm working from home or in the office. I have the sort of job where calls may come in unexpectedly and if I wasn't there to answer them or wasn't showing as online on Zoom then questions would (quite rightly) be asked.

I do have more time though. Without a commute I can go for a walk after work, or I can get some household tasks done on my lunch break. I quite often go and do a food shop during my lunch hour when WFH which does help things run more smoothly at home.

I do like the social side of going into the office though. I personally don't think I could WFH full time, I think I'd feel lonely and get in a bit of a rut. But if your job has involved sitting watching webinars and e learning videos then that is pretty easy regardless of whether you did it at home or in an office.