Going into the office 5 days a week!

[Honeybunnny]

Hi

Im REALLY struggling with a good job offer which would probably kick start my career as it requires me to be fully office based. The office is a 2 minute drive so will have practically 0 commute but I have worked hybrid for a few years and I just love it. It changed my life so much and I am so much more relaxed at home, and more productive in general. It was a game changer for me.

The thought of returning to an office 5 days a week makes me feel queasy and I just can't shake it off.

It would be a shame to turn down the role purely because I can't bear to be in an office, they do not offer hybrid at all.

Any thoughts or has anyone gone from remote to office work?

Thank you

I couldn’t be full time now. Could you negotiate 4 longer days and half day so you get half a day for yourself? A work life balance is so important to enjoy both!

A two-minute drive isn’t even worth getting the car out for me; it is the shortest commute you’re ever going to have! And if it’s a chance to progress it sounds like the best way you’ll ever come across.

What are all the other pros and cons of the job change?

I think the two minute commute really softens the blow. I'd take it.

For me it would come down to a cost/benefit analysis. Easy commute, good pay, excellent career prospects, especially in the current economy, would be well worth going to the office for five days a week.

I meant full time in office. I do work 40 hours but I work hybrid and it has massively improved my quality of life.

If it is a great job and such a short commute it does seem a shame to turn it down. I expect once back in the routine you would be fine in office. I would ask myself how easy it would be to get a hybrid role that is acceptable if you do end up hating office. If straightforward to get another role if needed then def take new job.

The OP isn't talking about full time, she's talking about being 100% office based after years of hybrid working.

Cant grumble at a 2minute commute surely. You could even pop home at lunch time to take the washing out like WFH.

If it will boost your career, do it. For now. It doesn't have to be forever.

I work in Facilities; it is our job to be in the office 5 days a week. I am sooo jealous of those who get to wfh or hybrid. I can totally see why you wouldn't want to go back to 5 days!

You have almost no commute so give it ago. Otherwise leave and seek another role but there is no guarantee it won't happen again. Your lack of a commute is very fortunate.

I gave up a cushty WFH job to a job that I work in the office now. It actually made me realise I really missed company at work. I also enjoy the drive home as my 'down time' to help the transition from work to mum. I didn't feel I got that when all I did was switch the computer off at home.

A 2 minute drive, unless it's a typo must be a pleasant energising walk surely?

Sounds ideal. You don't have to make space for work at home and it's so short that you could walk or cycle commute for the fresh air and exercise and even go home at lunchtime if you wanted to.

I walk to work (self employed) and I absolutely love being in the office - I choose to be in 5 days a week.

If it's just a few minutes away you get the best of both worlds. Home for lunch and keeping office and home life separate.

Are you already working five days a week now?

If so, I would look at it in that you could use your lunch hour to pop home as it’s so close; that way you could get your chores done/walk the dog/read your book or whatever then back to the office with only a very quick drive so you won’t be back late at the end of the day. I personally wouldn’t turn down a good offer if it was that close (I do love working from home but my office is 45 mins away)

With a 2 minute commute you’ll get to spend more time at home anyway. Leave work at 5.30, home by 5.32.

I bloody loved it when I worked at an office complex a 5 minute drive away.

Pre covid I worked a 5 min walk from home. I religiously went home for lunch. It made such a difference. I suggested talking the role and doing that. Also leaning into the benefits of inversion. Work, like just walking up to different team/ individual to chat something through.

I wouldn't like to be in the office full time with a long commute, but if the job offer is good and there's a chance for development and promotions I'd do it for a 2 min commute.

Could you condense your hours and do eg a nine day fortnight? So you get a day at home for yourself every other week, might be a compromise.

A 2 minute drive shouldn't even be a drive, it takes me longer than that to walk to the bus stop going to work! You could go home at lunchtime to do things like laundry and you're not exactly going to loose any time in your day from what you have wfh.

This. Best of both worlds.

Take the job.

Give it a year.

See how it goes.

I voted YABU simply for the two minute drive.

I can’t imagine going back to 5 days in the office. I’d hate it. It seems such a retrograde step now, is it totally necessary in your new job?

It's a 2 minute drive! You could go home lunchtime if you wanted. Do it!