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?”

So do we. Doesn't stop some staff, even in the office, spending half their time chatting to colleagues or on the phone to friends & family. During Covid, apparently they all WFH & productivity was so woeful the bosses decided to not allow it for my role, and only some senior staff have the option.

I've had to prove myself by working my butt off & putting a case forward for WFH for emergencies only, and it's been granted.

I believe it all comes down to the person's ethic. Regardless of in-office or WFH. WFH just makes skiving off easier for those inclined to do so.

I WFH 1 day a week and I'm super productive. Today I did 8.30 till 6pm then 7pm till 9.30pm as have a deadline. Tomorrow I'm in the office 8.30 - 5pm but I'll be nattering a bit and doing rounds of cuppas and taking a lunch break. I know do many people who prefer WFH as less distraction

I think many people are more productive at home tbh

We use an app type thing so just press start when we start working on something/start a meeting . It becomes second nature

About 20 years ago I worked as a software engineer and one of my colleagues would spend all day staring at File Explorer. He never did any work.

Some people are shirkers, and it doesn’t matter where they work, they shirk.

i work remotely and I literally work all day. It makes me like 70% more productive than in the office as there is no distractions.

Genuinely, no!

You remind me of my mum who, when I worked from home at her house for a few days just before Christmas, couldn't understand why I couldn't shut my computer for a chat when she came home at 4pm and I was in frantic discussion with my colleagues trying to get the last few projects tied up before we closed for the Christmas break, chasing things up, reviewing things, making sure everything was done, arranging who was doing what... I'm sure some people have easy jobs (and you don't have to wfh for that! I have friends who sit in an office all day moving spreadsheets around on a screen so they look like they're doing something!) but a lot people who wfh really are working hard!

Many people may indeed be, but most people are not. Productivity drops on average about 18% with remote working rather than office based this is down to multiple factors including increased cooperation & teamwork for those working in an office together as opposed to remotely. That's what the research & studies on WFH say. Check out the economist article link & excert I posted earlier in this thread for more research outputs on this area.

My gosh, that sounds intense!!

I agree with both you and @ILoveWhales . I've trained up lots of juniors and I know that in person is better and they prefer it. That's not what this thread is about though.

I am disabled and working in the office made me physically quite unwell, so that I had no quality of life at all outside of work. I took a sizeable pay cut to be able to work mainly from home, but it means I have enough health left over to enjoy family life.

This thread isnt about the pros and cons of WFH, it's about whether or not people work hard when WFH.

I was allowed to go fully remote. Very much of its time with Covid in full swing. They haven’t let anyone since. I wish I could let myself coast but feel like I’m so terrified that people think I am that I really beast myself. 😂 any tips on how to care about work a little bit less send them my way!

Yes, Daily Mail, I do think you’re unreasonable to think that 🙄

As long as work is getting done to a higher standards, why do you care if employees do a little coasting in between the productive hours. People coast in offices too.

I always find that people do a lot more faffing around/looking busy/chatting in the office. In my experience people 'crack on' at home as less distraction.

It depends on your job. I have a caseload to manage so the work has to be done. Sometimes we're quieter than others. I definitely get more done at home. When I go to the office everyone is chatting all.the time, which is fine, but for me it's a distraction. We also time record everything we do in a day so the boss can see what you've done. So, I disagree, OP.

I'm self employed and work remotely. For the last 2 weeks, I've worked 7 days a week. My fault, I should've planned better. BUT there is no way I'm coasting. If I coasted, I wouldn't earn. I always work at least 45 hours a week (active work) and at some times of the year, I work between 65 & 80 hours a week.

I miss not being at a workplace with colleagues. But remote work is so convenient.

Me too. Are you at a law firm as well?

All I know is I record at least ten hours when I wfh. That’s a minimum. When I’m in the office it’s more like 7 or 8.

I get more done at home, less distractions so it’s better quality work, it’s so much easier to focus. And as a bonus I’m happier because I’m kept company by my cat.

I wish I could wfh more!

My employers are also permitted to check what we’re doing with key stroke tech.

I wish I could wfh more often.

Not this again.

Broadly speaking I think it's the same as working in-house: most people are conscientious, a few take the piss, and it's obvious who the piss-takers are from their output.

I mean, how do you think remote workers would be holding on to their jobs if their productivity was shit? I know you've talked about it being less obvious in some people's jobs which is true, but results will still be expected, and if those results aren't forthcoming, it'll be obvious someone is swinging the lead. It's not rocket science. shrugs

tbh sometimes get a lull during the day , but mostly very busy and tend to start earlier & finish later as no commute

I work 2-3 days a week from home. Sometimes I’m flat out with back to back meetings. Sometimes I’ve got my headphones on and can power through huge chunks of work and sometimes I take it easier and use the time to tie things up but I’m always at my desk ready to jump if someone needs me. Today was quieter, Monday was a headphone day where I barely looked up

I am more productive in the office for sure. My role involves managing a large dept so I need to collaborate and oversee stuff across the organisation. Trying to track other teams down over teams is hard work much easier in person. A 30 second chat with the person sitting next to you resolves something that would take a few emails, several hours between and maybe a phone call. In person meetings work much better than hybrid ones too. It’s convenient sure, but I’m glad I do 40/60 split a week so I can use my home time to just do the things that don’t need collaboration. If I was wfh all the time it would be really painful like it was during covid.

I do the same job whether im at home or in the office. I can't say I dont coast a bit in the office too to be honest when its quiet. Nobody is watching me because they know that overall I put my heart into my job and sometimes I will go over and above whats expected. Surely many people have a certain amount of tasks that they have to complete each day, and it doesn't really make a difference if it takes them three cups of tea to get going? I work in sales, and I could be utterly inspired or only capable of doing basic daily tasks regardless of where im sitting.

I do the same job whether im at home or in the office. I can't say I dont coast a bit in the office too to be honest when its quiet. Nobody is watching me because they know that overall I put my heart into my job and sometimes I will go over and above whats expected. Surely many people have a certain amount of tasks that they have to complete each day, and it doesn't really make a difference if it takes them three cups of tea to get going? I work in sales, and I could be utterly inspired or only capable of doing basic daily tasks regardless of where im sitting.

I WFH and piss about a LOT. I'm usually watching a YouTube video or in some way double screening and I get all the housework done etc. Social media scrolling, plenty of it. I get away with doing very little work. When I'm in the office I'm overseen so I actually have to work. I don't understand people who say the office is distracting but home isn't. Home is where all your entertainment is?

I do the same job whether im at home or in the office. I can't say I dont coast a bit in the office too to be honest when its quiet. Nobody is watching me because they know that overall I put my heart into my job and sometimes I will go over and above whats expected. Surely many people have a certain amount of tasks that they have to complete each day, and it doesn't really make a difference if it takes them three cups of tea to get going? I work in sales, and I could be utterly inspired or only capable of doing basic daily tasks regardless of where im sitting.