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Original poster

Are you back in the office next week even if you can work from home?

113 replies

C1239 · 02/08/2020 07:47

The advice obviously changed this weekend to encourage more back into the workplace. What view has your employer taken? Even if you have been able to work from home well the last few months have you been asked to get back into office working from next week?

OP posts:
FluffyKittensinabasket · 02/08/2020 10:12

Nope, (Civil Service) they have said they are looking at ways to get people back in but only 25% of staff can be in at once. The office has changed forever, longer term the fixed desks are going and it’s all going to be hot desking hubs where you book a desk by the hour.

I wouldn’t mind going in one or two days a week but I’m WFH for now. I’ve gone in one day every other week where I’ve had stuff I can only do in the office.

Jenasaurus · 02/08/2020 10:12

My employer has told us that we are to work from home at least for another 18 months if not longer as they think the guidance is more to do with the economy that that is safe to do so. We are working well from home so no reason to put anyone at risk was their words.

Lurkingforawhile · 02/08/2020 10:13

Our offices are still closed, although they will be open in a few weeks. Only 25% occupancy, one person arriving or leaving at a time. It all feels over the top. I really miss working with my team and am struggling to stay motivated at home. We've been told 6 - 12 months for full return but I think that's just a guess

ifoundafoxcaughtbydogs · 02/08/2020 10:28

Mine have acknowledged how much happier people are by not having to commute and are making the office more of a meeting place long term.

They're letting people go in if they choose as of September but it's entirely voluntary.

They've been absolutely amazing throughout with very supportive working from home policies too re mental health and child care. I feel very fortunate.

britINscotland · 02/08/2020 10:30

working from home for the forseeable (we are in scotland though).

I can't see how they can ever get all of us back in the office though. My office in particular is so tight for space, I just can't see how they can do social distancing without allowing us to work from home more.

They have done a staff survey about working from home and the majority have asked for a mixture. Those who want to return to work full time are the younger workers who either live with their parents and/or have no children.

I love WFH and want to do it full time due to my mental and physical health being much better (I'm disabled). Sadly I fear that they won't allow me to do it beyond this year, at least not full time.

I also think there will be a voluntary redundancy programme in 2021/22 as this is what happened after the last recession. We are public sector in Scotland and I think next year's budget will be interesting as I'm sure the Scottish Government will give us less dosh!

trilbydoll · 02/08/2020 10:41

Our Director said they appreciated summer was a nightmare for parents at the best of times, let alone this year, so stay at home for now and we'll revisit in Sept. Probably going to move to a rota where a certain % of each dept is onsite each day. No official action plan in place at the moment though.

daisypond · 02/08/2020 10:44

No. Company has decided to close all offices permanently. All staff will work from home for ever.

HoneyBee03 · 02/08/2020 11:09

We've been working from home without any issues but we all go back to the office this week. Lots of precautions in place, new desk layout, cleaning rota, etc.

Oysterbabe · 02/08/2020 11:17

Nope, no sign of us being asked to go back in. I'll be WFH at least some of the time forever now.

roses2 · 02/08/2020 11:24

@BlueJava

I used to commute into London daily, we are all now working from home until at least January 2021. They have opened up the office for a few people that want to go in but that's all (for example those who live alone and were lonely and wanted interaction). Actually they have found we are all more productive at home which didn't surprise many of us. A company were a friend of mine works has given up their office and they will all now work from home - post CV19 they'll do regular meet ups instead.
My office is considering the same. I'm seriously considering moving abroad to a sunnier climate if this happens.
Feminist10101 · 02/08/2020 13:06

Have been doing a mixture of in work and WFH since March. Best of both worlds.

Part of my job is dealing with the mental health issues attached to longer term working from home alongside ensuring that staff realise that they don’t have an inherent right to work from home just because they want to.

user1487194234 · 02/08/2020 13:17

alongside ensuring that staff realise that they don’t have an inherent right to work from home just because they want to.
Yes that's a bit of an issue for us
Some staff saying WFH is better ,and they get through tasks quicker which is fine
But we want staff back because our overall business is much more than everyone getting through their own tasks
So all staff are to be back by beginning of September

Feminist10101 · 02/08/2020 13:23

A lot of our staff can’t do their full jobs from home. They, of course, may be happy with that arrangement. We aren’t and it can’t continue indefinitely.

user1487194234 · 02/08/2020 13:26

Feminist 101
Totally agree

Purplewithred · 02/08/2020 13:33

We had a high level of WFH before lockdown - we only have enough office space for about ¾ of our staff at any one time and not having an office at all was a definite option before our last move.

Personally I am now working from the office for one of my 3 days: DH is unexpectedly working from home on light duties for a couple of months, and DD has been working from home throughout, and I am more productive in the office on my own than I am at home (and need the mental space too). DD is going to the office once a week mostly to socialise, DH is in healthcare and they are still encouraging people to stay away from their buildings if possible.

FredaFox · 02/08/2020 13:38

Our offices are opening a few at a time, I worked two days in one last week and loved it, felt good to be back. Part of the team is on furlough so will be September at least before everyone will be in
I work between two, both now open, one someone a city. I will work from home more going forward as I'm not customer facing

ProfessorPootle · 02/08/2020 13:44

We own businesses and majority of staff have been back for a while, lots work on sites so are outdoors all day, they’re jobs that were furloughed as can’t be done from home. Have about 20 back in the office but it’s spacious and we have lots of sd practices in place.

We had 80% staff furloughed at the beginning with a few still working and a couple working from home but it got to the stage where we had to close as it doesn’t really work in our industry. We’ve had to make some people redundant but managed to keep most staff. It’s going a lot better than anticipated seeing as our government backed loan was approved in May but the money has never materialised.

MaggieTheFrog · 02/08/2020 13:47

I'm back in tomorrow, part time mornings. My work is in a hospital in a rising hotspot. I'm nervous, I have older parents who are thankfully providing child care to my small DC. I'm frustrated as we could have happily continued working from home and it has been very successful. It makes no sense.

Tanfastic · 02/08/2020 13:49

We've never been out of the office, even though we were able to work from home 🙄

Nquartz · 02/08/2020 13:52

We've been encouraged to go back in for a few weeks, originally it was 25% capacity now it is up to 50% we are expected to do 50% of our working week in the office. We were also allowed to tell our manager when we were going in but now we're expected to tell them why we arent. I'm doing 1 day a week (work 3 days). If we didnt have childcare or were shielding we wouldn't have to go in.
DH is doing 2 days a week from tomorrow.

Who knows what will happen when the bubbles inevitably pop once DD is back at school, back to WFH hopefully.

Splodgetastic · 02/08/2020 13:54

We are allowed to go back for welfare reasons, e.g., lack of suitable or ergonomic space, mental health or some other substantial reason (I can imagine if you were a victim of domestic violence this might be one of them). I am considering asking to go back because my husband’s mental health is suffering from not being able to shut the door on his work. If I went back he could have my office. I have always had an office and cannot work without being able to shut the door (security reasons).

Splodgetastic · 02/08/2020 13:55

I have to say, I work much better from home, although I think I am turning into a grumpy old cow. It’s basically exaggerated my worst characteristics and lack of team spirit!

annabel85 · 02/08/2020 13:57

Our office is open but on a voluntary basis because they're restricted how many can come in with the restrictions in place and the desks are really hemmed in (shitty open plan offices).

They're awaiting for a risk assessment to decide if they can drop from 2 metres to 1 metre which would maybe double the number they can allow in.

Dazzedandconfused · 02/08/2020 14:00

We've been 'encouraged' to come in at least 2 half days on a rota basis for the past couple weeks. I think we will be foing face to face work with young people (I'm a youth and community worker) by the end of August.

annabel85 · 02/08/2020 14:02

Anyway I'd be interested in seeing the results of a risk assessment on viral transmission in offices. Seeing as winter colds go round and round

This is the other thing. Sick building syndrome. Especially with tall office blocks where you can't open windows.

It's not just about sitting on top of each other 8 hours a day, the viruses just circulate around.