Google are in it for the long haul

[Jenasaurus]

Google have said that employees are expected to work from home until 2021 or a virus has been found. It has been discussed at work we may do the same, those that are able, will work from home for the long term

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/coronavirus-google-facebook-work-from-home-2021-latest-a9505936.html?utm_source=reddit.com

If you were asked to WFH until then, would you be happy to do so would you prefer to go back to the office?

I have mixed feelings on this. In our team, we have 3 new starters that the rest of us will only meet via Microsoft Teams, it will be strange meeting them 12 months on from now.

[timeforawine]

Sucks doesn't it @BeetrootRocks i miss the office chatter and banter.
I also walked more there as to and from the car plus around the office to see people or go to kitchen to make drinks.
I don't miss printing and scanning though

[NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite]

"In our team, we have 3 new starters that the rest of us will only meet via Microsoft Teams, it will be strange meeting them 12 months on from now."
Why do you think your company will bother reverting to working from the office in 12 months? Aren't they more likely to save on office costs instead if you can successfully WFH for 12 months?

[Blackbear19]

If I knew it was going to be that long I'd reorganise my house. And get a desk in the spare room instead of my dining table being used.

I just need Mystic Meg to give me a clue!

[bruffin]

The main issue is not the office space, which can be managed. It's getting to the office.
I have to get a packed train and a very packed tube to work

[RHTawneyonabus]

DH works for a firm v similar to google. Tbh they all ready had the tech to wfh and had teams split between UK/US/other countries so it wasn’t a big deal for them and they sent everyone to wfh weeks before other companies did. Many of the big tech firms had offices in China so had a good idea what was coming (better than the government did as it turned out!) I reckon DH can do 95% of current jobs from home.

[NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite]

DH would love to carry on wfh permanently. He gets loads more done and saves time and money on his 100 mile round trip to work. He tends to work 1.5 - 2 hours longer per day (unpaid) and also eats his lunch on the go so the company benefit greatly. I think if it was long term/permanent I'd cajole him into a cycle ride or walk or to just sit outside at lunchtime.

[Baaaahhhhh]

A whole generation of young workers are at a disadvantage though. Young 20's are all currently wfh at their parents, leaving empty rentals in cities. It's been fine in the short term, but they had an independent life, and desperately want to return to it. I feel really bad for their age group. Everything is going wrong for them, and they will end up carrying the legacy and costs of previous generations mistakes and focus.

[Nquartz]

My work is planning a v slow return with people spaced out on desks but it's more the issue of sharing toilets, printers, kitchens, food outlets etc. They are also (supposedly, hopefully) taking into account people's caring responsibilities so I would hope thinking about schools/nurseries opening & timing accordingly.

Commuting isn't as much of an issue because the vast majority drive, as we saw when a major road through the city was shut and chaos ensued for a few weeks before lock down.

[Abreadsandwich]

So service companies for offices, catering, cleaners, places that sell lunch near them, other shops near them, pubs near them, and all the associated supply chain to all of that...

This is what I was thinking as well.
But can understand employers and employees encouraging wfh.

[Beancounter9]

I miss the office. I prefer the company of others and this constant noise of kids/ TV/etc etc is driving me mad now.

My back is killing too.

I don’t get the wfh unless you have a big house with a study. Not so much fun when your desk is your kitchen table, your chair is a kitchen chair and kids need to do schoolwork on the same table!

As soon as things go back to normal then I’m all for it.

[BeetrootRocks]

Me too wine :(

We are in the same industry

[timeforawine]

Large insurer, i don't expect to be back this year, they are seeing what they can do to allow some back later in year, certain roles or those struggling at home.
I wish i could go back, i miss the office (never thought I'd say that!)

[BeetrootRocks]

Same as others, I work in city in financial sector and we already worked from home 2 or 3 days a week. We're all set up and I think with it being London and and to WFH we will be last to go back. I think it will be aged.

I don't mind a bit of WFH but all the time I find isolating and depressing. I also lose my sense of direction without being in office ever taking to people and feeling a part of something iyswim.

I also met friends for lunch a lot and there was a gang of us from work having a good drink after work quite often.

It's about personality types I guess but I had to go back on ADs after week 1 lockdown the way the depression I had when I was at home after having kids kids came back, so fast, was startling.

Still I'm on ADs now and having some internet drinks with them so maybe things will get better.

I miss cuddling my friends drunkenly in the pub and going out dancing in bars and so on.

[NothingIsWrong]

My back is suffering badly at the moment. I have no idea if my company will pay for suitable equipment - I cannot keep going at the dining room table, it's not sustainable. I need proper display equipment, proper printing facilities, chair etc. IF this is provided AND schools go back, I would probably be OK but I love social contact and would be very lonely.

[ChampagneCommunist]

Mine want me back in the office on Monday; they are assuming BJ will give the go ahead tomorrow.

I'm not so keen & am hoping I can hold them off

[Youngatheart00]

Can definitely see a generation of back problems emanating from this! And I’ll be one....hunched over a table using a laptop and sitting on a dining chair all day - the yoga is just not cutting it on its own. May have to invest in a proper work desk and chair, but that will cost me hundreds of pounds and we have been told we are not allowed to expense. If we’re in it for many more months rather than weeks though it may prove to be a good investment and save on the osteo bills further down the line.

[derxa111]

I do think training & development will be affected though as many people learn through physically watching others.

[derxa111]

From what I've heard it's not so much the office environments but the fact social distancing on the tube/train is virtually impossible & people need to commute.

[derxa111]

DH & lots of our friends in the city told similar.

I prefer the combo of some wfh & office as I don't think everything is as efficient wfh but depends on role I guess.

[anotherwinkywinkybumbum]

@marlboroughlemon I think the PP meant that WFH constantly would mean that there will soon be no distinction between your work environment and home environment and soon your home won't feel like home anymore.

[JustVisiting9]

We have been looking at this. The reality is that many of us will be WFH for a long time now, if not for ever. Our desk spaces are being used to help those who cannot WFH to socially distance.

This, however, brings problems. Whilst lots of people have jobs that can be done from home, not everyone's home is set up for working. Not everyone has quiet space, a suitable desk, chair etc. Some people have been provided with chairs but not everyone's house is big enough to have a dedicated workspace. This becomes more of a problem in households where two or more people are WFH.

So the WFH arrangements we have are ok for now - but as this becomes more permanent, people will need to be supplied with more suitable equipment. Some people may ask for a contribution to their internet costs. Some will get lonely.

So I think WFH is the future but it still needs a lot more thought and investment. Carrying on as we are at the moment isn't sustainable.

[Fortyfifty]

Evidence from contact tracing in other countries shows open plan office environments are a major source of infection transmission. I think if many office workplaces fill up full time , we'll see figures go up in a few weeks.

[Barbie222]

It does sound very cautious, but I suppose they do not want to make themselves liable for any claims that arise from employees who feel they have been asked to work away from home when it's not necessary.

[Neeks888]

Working from home - fine
Home schooling - fine
Both at the same time - nope

This x100

[maddiemookins16mum]

Our firm of 190 are bringing forward the WFH now, they’d planned it for next year but have already announced at least 50% will continue WFH from now on. Currently 98% are WFH due to lockdown.