To think remote workers exaggerate how much they actually work?

[ZippyGreyOtter]

WFH is convenient but AIBU to think lots of people log on, do a bit, then spend most of the day coasting, while loudly insisting they’re “more productive than ever?”

No, surely output is measured in most companies and people doing nothing would be quickly found out.

I work remotely and my day is spent in scheduled meetings and appointments, no ‘coasting’ that you speak of.

We time record everything we do in 6 minute units. I go into the office once or twice a week. I am definitely more productive at home.

And I guess our work know that from their data which is why they made it permanent

I don’t think you’re BU as I feel like plenty in my team do this but for me personally I really am more productive than ever when I work from home!

This isn’t my experience of working from home.

I do both. I spent equal amounts of time, faffing about chatting in the office as I do talking to the dogs. Just different types of distraction.
The sort of work I do it's best on in very intense, sharp bursts as you couldn't concentrate enough to do it without breaks. Genuinely think I probably do the same in both places.

Urgh this again people can't afford the commute its cheaper for people to work from home because you dont "need" an office so as long as they are productive LET THEM WORK FROM HOME

Honestly home working has ALWAYS existed carpet was created on a loom in someone's home my aunt used to pay the rent making matchboxes at the kitchen table later she did badge making another relative paid for Christmas by making crackers at home in her spare time its always been around get over it already no-one "needs" to pay for an office so you can socialise with people you have NOTHING in common with

If someone can spend all day coasting then there's a serious management issue.

Exactly, anyone whose output is inexplicably awful gets told to work into the office full time . In my experience they then arse about just as much in the office.

Are you speaking from personal experience OP?

Yeah. Theres a big disparity between remote workers.
Some are absolutely taking the piss. As in all jobs. remote or not.

So many of these dull “discuss” type posts these days.

IME slackers will slack off wherever they are, and hard workers will work hard.

I realised that everyone assumed no-one else is working as hard at home as they are. That's the one problem possibly, that people are looking suspiciously at each other.

I work remotely two to three days a week and I crack out way more work on those days then I do in an office. Yes I throw a wash on between meetings, or if there’s a call I don’t need to be present on camera I may get ahead start on dinner. If my mornings are clear meeting wise I might check emails early, bring my work phone with me anyway and get to the gym after nursery drop off at 8am and back at my desk at 9:30. I work hard, just a bit more flexibly. I have hardly any sick days because often when sick we just need flexibility not always time off.

everyone works differently. My husband works far better in an office environment, and so does a slightly longer day on his three office days a week so he can stay on top of work.

it just depends on people, their workplace, their role and their work ethic.

I wish. Micromanaged by systems. I log on and take my breaks and lunches at rostered times. Phone is available for inbound calls whilst doing designated tasks. Stats to achieve and Matrix published twice per day. Stressful.

This has been done to death on here OP

Weird to assume you work harder than everyone else. Obviously looking through biased eyes!

I've had conversations with two different people, at different companies, in the last couple if weeks, who had a slip of the tounge saying "day off" when they meant wfh day....

I thinknthee are two types. Those who have every minute monitored and do genuinely need to put in the work and those who don't.

When I wfh, I work super hard the day before and line up loads of messages to send next day, while getting on with other things. I still get a week's work done, but I don't do much of it at home.

I’m sure some do, but then many do the same in offices. When I go into my office, some people see it as an opportunity to chat or vaguely drift about. Not lots but some.

I think WFH gives more flexibility but I feel like people will be the same wherever they work.

So YANBU for your exact question but YABU that it’s necessarily and different to office work.

Do you wfh @ZippyGreyOtter?
if I coasted and did nothing it would be noticed by the next morning…I don’t know what jobs you think people actually do from home that means they can do nothing and get away with it. No one else in my department does my job…so if it’s not done then all eyes are on me.

I'm a community mental health nurse, and I am genuinely more productive when writing notes from home. I can focus easier. I write faster. Sure, I have days where I stick a wash on, or have a 5 minute break to fuss the cats, but I work a lot quicker than I do in the office. My notes are always excellent on audit and I'm rarely behind with paperwork.

In the office I waste far more time as I talk all the damn time! I actually love being in the office and seeing my colleagues, but I get distracted. I do still get work done, but defo not as much. I like a balance. And if it makes geographical sense to be in the office between visits, I always go in. And I always go in when I'm the duty worker.

Not saying I never have days where I cba in between visits and just sit staring into the void or doing something else, but I'd be having those in the office too 🤷 no one is 100% on it all the time, and I do my work, and my manager is happy with me, so I think it's fine.

Have to be online and working at start time (in the office can log in and get a cuppa. Tell each other if we go for a drink, toilet break etc. No chats with someone passing through and if the internet drops and its my household problem I make the time up. I work way more on WFH days.

The amount of time someone would pop into my office for a chat and stop me working was ridiculous! Yes, I may now put a load of washing on or empty the dishwasher during a quick screen break but I meet my deadlines without being caught up in conversations, office gossip etc

I do the whole ‘deep work’ thing where it may only be an hour of intense focused work and then 45 minutes of ‘shallow work’ such as responding to straightforward emails etc but without the office distractions I get a lot done in an hour of totally uninterrupted work.

As long as deadlines are met it doesn’t matter where you work.

Yawn.
My average work from home day:
check emails at 6.30 am, deal with any crisis or anything urgent.
Go grab a shower.
At desk latest 8 am, work through for 3 or 4 hrs with occasional cuppa.
break for a short 30 min lunch if time, maybe 5 mins fresh air in my garden.
work again to 3 ish, drift off and do some household chores for an hour if I can.
work again to 6 ish.
knock off.

usually check and deal with some stuff before bed for 10-15 mins or so