Are you going back to work in an office?

[FluffyKittensinabasket]

Curious to see if other people are going back, a couple of months ago it was being reported that many people are never going back and WFH forever.

Support staff have always worked in the office in my work. We’re a small team anyway, with lots of room to SD. March/April, we worked on a rota each working 2 days a week, then 3 days a week, now we’re all back full time (4 days a week for most).

I’ve consulted with staff this week to update the Risk Assessment, and have systems in place which allow all staff to feel safe. There is good guidance on the gov.uk website which I’d encourage anyone anxious about returning to work to read, so that you can get an idea of what measures you’d feel would need to be in place in order for you to feel safe, so that when you do return to work, you can raise any shortfalls with management.

Of course, it’s all being kept under regular review. I think it’s so important to have open communication with staff about measures that are being put in place, and being flexible to increase measures if needed.

Just to add that offering WFH during Lockdown has now made WFH a long term option for staff that prefer the peace and quiet of home - not to mention having no commute!
I’m very glad as I know it will make a big difference to those staff.

I’m civil service and we’re being told there’s no plan for us to be back anytime soon. They are looking to get those back who have said it is having a negative impact on them being at home though.

I think it will be September at very earliest before more people go back, and more than likely later in year. I work at home one day out of 4 in ordinary times and that was due to increase as I had moved into a new role so I will be surprised if I go back more than one or two days anyway

I went back yesterday. We're split into small teams doing 2 days in the office and 4 at home to start with. I hated working from home to start with but have got used to it and realised I don't actually like working with people!

I've been in 2 days last week and due to go in 2 days this. We are having a rota system. At first I wanted to stay WFH forever, then as time went on a little bit I started to see more benefits to being in the office. Now I'd like to split it forever. However, I think our company will get us all in full time when they can. This does all depend on social distancing though as we only have enough space for 3 out of 10 to go in so it maybe a rota system for a while yet.

We are going back on 3rd August - can’t wait
No one is being forced to go back as we can home work if we want (nothing new as always been an option)
I’m looking forward to structure, routine, being part of the team and being able to separate home n work more

Yes we do a few days a week each, looking forward to being able to go back in full time. I'm curious with those teams working fully from home what they do about new joiners, do they just plan to post a laptop to them when they start? I feel it's a great shame to be honest, but understand why it's sensible for now.

There was going to be a review in September, then pushed back to December, now March.

Some people who really want to might be able to go back in October if the numbers haven't kicked off,

I've been back since June. My job isn't easily done from home so working from home full time just isn't possible.

I like being in the office, can ask a question and get an answer straight away. Am there to help others etc.

We do have some working from home though. Some love it and some hate it

i'm a civil servant and have been in the office all this time. never felt unsafe once.

I am back now thankfully. I preferred the lack of chatter at home but enjoy having a proper desk and workspace.

I’ve been made redundant but got a new job which will be permanent home working

Civil servant here. Been back for a couple of weeks part-time. Doubt we'll be in the office full-time for quite some time. I loved the commute. So peaceful. And happy to be back.

There's no need for me to go back to working in an office building an hour from my home. Asynchronous working with no commute, more time with my family, and getting little bits of the domestic stuff done throughout the day is working. For my colleagues, my employer and for me. I'm not planning on going back at all.

I'm not planning on going back at all.

What if you have to go back?

I'm curious with those teams working fully from home what they do about new joiners, do they just plan to post a laptop to them when they start?
I started my new job during lockdown and they did exactly this. All my training was via video conferencing. It's worked perfectly, no problems.

They've just announced we all have to go back, though with zero reason given, just "because". Bizarre. Keep the office open for those who hate wfh by all mans, but they should keep wfh open for those who prefer it; I'm looking for a new job already. Would happily work remotely full-time forever, commuting is bullshit.

No, there's no point because what I do requires seeing a lot of people, and they can all choose whether to go in or not, and to which office. A few are desperate to go in, but most don't want to go in until next year at least. Given that I have to do almost everything online anyway, there's no point going in. I do wish intensely sometimes for a day of normality; going in with that quiet time listening to music on the train, the long walk, the good coffee, the laughter in the big meetings, lunch with a colleague, the enthusiasm of workshops, frantically rushing out emails on the train home and big hugs when I get in. Sigh. It wouldn't be normal anyway, it would just be sad. I do have a colleague coming to work in a local cafe garden with me soon (they have shades if it rains), that'll be a fun afternoon!

I think I can WFH full time ish from here on. Doubt we will have any kind of mandatory return but they will keep the option to require our presence if necessary.

TBH, it is cheaper to have us at home and they don’t want the risk/responsibilities of an illness outbreak.

I work for a forward thinking firm. I expect they will now invest in creative remote engagement, and put on hold office refurbishment updates etc.

I'm curious with those teams working fully from home what they do about new joiners, do they just plan to post a laptop to them when they start?

I don’t know yet but I’ll find out soon enough I’m sure!

Maybe cutting back on office space and not having to factor the cost of the commute into pay scales is how employers can cut costs without cutting jobs.

Hopefully soon. Staff mostly desperate to get back after 4 months of WFH. However we are in Scotland so who knows when we will be allowed back!

@Staplemaple

I'm not planning on going back at all.

What if you have to go back?

I work for logical, sane people who understand this is a long term situation and that we have to adapt to survive so I'm hoping that doesn't happen.

They sent us home to WFH weeks before official lockdown, so they're not bringing us back in just because Boris says so.

Also, it's working. And it's saving money. We were in month by month offices this year while we waited to see what havoc Brexit would wreak on our sector. We'd already talked about who would leave the country if the company did, and who would want to work remotely.

I'd take being able to WFH over a pay rise right now.

Been back since 1st July. Only 2 days per week though. Nobody else yet is back. I was asked if I wanted to come back and I was definitely happy to go back!

Staff mostly desperate to get back after 4 months of WFH.

This is interesting @dementedma - our staff are 84% want to WFH at least 1-2 days a week. What industry are you in?

@persona. Crown servants working for defence. A lot of work is face to face with employers and military units. We are bored rigid with zoom and email.