When do you think we will be allowed back to offices?

[Ethelfleda]

I have done a search but couldn’t find anything

I am posting as someone who is working from home, and has been since March (and usually does a couple of days a week) but who is looking forward to going back to an office!

Does anyone else feel the same? I keep reading articles saying that we will never return to office life and I find it quite depressing.
I can be just as productive at home, and I know the bigger picture here is far more important than my lamenting on office life...
But do you think the government will lift the ‘work from home wherever possible’ plan before there is a vaccine?

Office covers a huge spectrum of jobs. It's not as easy as filling in spreadsheets or answering emails for a lot of people.

My best guess - Key people (by that I mean those who really need to be in the office to do their jobs properly/efficiently/fully) in September, everyone else Jan 2021. Even then not 100% on any one day but probably 50% with other 50% wfh - alternate weeks.

I find WFH far better personally. A mix of the two ideal but i'd happily WFH full time.

I like the work and obviously the money to earn a living, but I don't like open plan offices with all the noise, distractions, lack of personal space and constant germs.

The only thing I find harder wfh is in needing assistance with your work. It's generally easier to ask a question face to face over a project than over Skype, but when we go back in the office you can't go near anyone anyway due to social distancing, so it'd be pointless. We've got all the tools to wfh but it depends on the job obviously.

only one person allowed in the toilet cubicles at any time

I do realise what you mean, but I did still have a little wry smile and a "oo-er missus" moment.

Office covers a huge spectrum of jobs. It's not as easy as filling in spreadsheets or answering emails for a lot of people.

Indeed. I work "from" an office rather than "in" an office, and it is all the collaborative working that is so much harder from home.

Plus you need a management team that are not anti WFH

Assuming childcare reopens, can't really see why anyone would want to go back to an office environment as it is such a pointless risk

@IrelandsIndustry people are different, though. For me, my three days in work have been a bit of a treat since mat leave. Reading on the bus, talking to other adults, going to the gym at lunch. I’ve made such good friends at work and I really miss it. A few of my colleagues live alone and enjoy the buzz of the office. One is a single parent and her DS is autistic and non-verbal. Her time in the office is the most she gets to talk to other people.

I know some people really prefer wfh and I think it would be wonderful if this made it easier for them to do so more permanently. But for some of us getting out to work is really useful in terms of connecting with other humans and maintaining good mental health.

BIL has been told they must go back on the 15th, their jobs are all 100% laptop based and the company has worked at 100% efficiency throughout, however because they allow walk in clients for their service, they are apparently also classed as a shop and thus will reopen when all shops do. Bizarre logic

"Office covers a huge spectrum of jobs. It's not as easy as filling in spreadsheets or answering emails for a lot of people.'
What a strange assumption to make. I'm sure most people wfh using lots of systems.

HMRC have around 400 systems and have to have stringent data security and staff with varying levels of 'special clearance' and the appropriate systems have been made available to their staff.

I would have thought your company would have contingency planning for disasters such as this due to the number of employees at Head Office.

I work in a small office and would be surprised if we go back before the end of e year. We can all easily do our jobs from home and I honestly prefer it. I am eating healthier, no travel costs and just spending more time in my home is generally making me happier! I understand that some people would love to get back to the office as it's not always easy for everyone to work from home.

Yes, not every job that is office based can be done from home.

We often handle sensitive data and third party records that must be stored on site. Whilst some of this can be provided digitally, the vast majority of it isn't, or isn't practical to work from on screen.

So we've been open to some degree throughout. Working from home is encouraged where possible - but due to these issues, it isn't always possible. They've done a risk assessment, moved things about and provided hand sanitiser etc.

Planning on increasing the number of people in July, although I do think there will be much more regular working from home for a good while yet.

"I would question whether any office not equipped to allow their employees to work remotely is fit for purpose."
Yep. Totally agree. I think it may be down to a lack of technical knowledge or a lack of investment in servers etc. Maybe there could be management resistance too?

@NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite yes absolutely, been running a $50m project from my garden!

The people who could not WFH have stayed in the office.

Just seems to be the HR Directors fixation. Hilarious when they talk about caring for people and bigged up Mental Health Awareness week.

I work in one of the biggest buildings in Canary Wharf. Theres about 1% of staff currently in the building (about 100 people I reckon) and everyone else at home. We've been told people won't start going back until the end of September and it will be staggered.

I expect to be WFH for the rest of the year tbh

No idea for me, been told they're keeping me on furlough until the scheme ends and basically to start looking for another job!

We are going back from 15th but will only see visitors by appointment and may intersperse it with working from home.

We have one office opening next week - about 25% capacity. Every other desk spare, one way system, no shares fridges etc. No one forced to go in but those who choose (for their mental heath, home situation not conducive to wfh etc) can do so as long as the numbers are managed within our teams. Of the 9 people in my team in my office only 3 want to come in for a few days a week so sounds workable. Another office opens on the 15th and more after that if the trials go well.

There has to be a plan by the employer covering off c.100 points and employees have the right to ask to see the plan.

I'm guessing the transport networks will also be a factor, in London for example the maximum capacity for a double decker bus will be 20 people so that people can socially distance (they usually carry 80). I expect similar measures will be bought in for trains and the tube if needed.

Lots of offices have still been open with those who cannot work from home.
Lots of people working from home are supported by people working in their offices.
People have always been "allowed" to go to work.

I'm another who can't understand what tasks office workers can't be do from home that aren't because of a lack of will to use available technology.

@BlueBirdGreenFence It's not the lack of technology for me, all I need is a laptop.

For me it's the fact I live in a top floor studio flat. I don't even have room for a desk so am working on my sofa and coffee table. In this weather it is also like working in a sauna and I don't have a garden.

My mental health is suffering so badly because my room is now my place of work so I am find it very hard to separate work life from home life and because half my company had been made redundant don't want to say anything for fear of losing my job. I don't even have a commute now to break up the day and I am literally doing 12 hour days.

It's a soulless existence.

I feel you Joan. Without going into my own stuff I'm really struggling with wfh. I've never felt as lonely. But during those first key weeks, I think any employer who had staff at desks in offices instead of their home were nothing short of negligent. You keep people alive first. Then work on happy.

My organisation is suggesting October, I am hoping earlier

I hate working from home. I can't wait to get back. I'm so much more stressed here. Cos it's just me and my daughter.

I’m back in the office but IMO should really still be working from home. IT capability is there, already proven by us wfh at start of lockdown but been told we are no longer allowed. Social distancing measures are in place so they say we must come back despite current government advice to continue to wfh wherever possible. It doesn’t sit comfortably with me at all .