Does 'unable to work from home' work both ways?

[HettySunshine]

Just curious really.

My job is doable from home with the right set up; two computer screens, a work phone and someone in the office to scan things, print and post letters, check files etc.

However, I have three small noisy children, no work space - I would have to sit in the open plan kitchen/ living room at the table on a hard dining room chair - and my job involves talking to clients pretty much all the time on the phone.

Therefore it has been agreed by my office and husband (who is at home with the children) that I cannot work from home and I do need to be in the office.

Is this in keeping with the rules?

I think so. That is how it has been interpreted in my office. I’m home but the office is open in similar situations.

Well your husband should be supporting you in WFH not making your life harder and it sounds like he isn't? But yes it's ok

@missbipolar

Well your husband should be supporting you in WFH not making your life harder and it sounds like he isn't? But yes it's ok

He's great but there is nowhere to go in our house. The downstairs is all one room and the upstairs is not set up for homeschooling and my husband wfh.

He's being amazing to be honest.

I think your husband is being realistic. Have you ever looked after 3 small noisy children whilst someone is on work calls in the main part of the house? Maybe homeschooling too? I have 2 children and it was so stressful last lockdown trying to do that and the weather was lovely most days too.

Ah cross post. If your office is emptier than usual I would say it sounds ideal to go in.

Why does it sound like the DH isn’t being supportive? If they only have one living space what is he supposed to do with the children? Keep them in a bedroom all day?
It sounds fine OP. I’m at home with a 7, 5 and 2 year old while DH works from home. Luckily DH has a small office... if he didn’t then it would be impossible for him to work properly.

My husband is going into work as his job is not compatible with me trying to home school, do washing, care for toddlers who are noisy/need to nap upstairs etc etc.

The OP hasn't said anything to suggest her husband isn't supporting her to wfh or is making her life harder. He is home with the children but maybe he cannot keep them quiet pretty much all the time while the OP makes calls to clients. They also don't have an appropriate set up so they can do their work. It isn't her husband's fault.

Yes, OP, as long as your boss agrees, it does sound like you "absolutely cannot work from home" as you do need access to work stuff and don't have an appropriate set up.

Yes, its wfh if you can, and employers can agree for you to go into the office if you're not able to.

Yes it is.
But could you move a piece of furniture out of your bedroom and make a workstation in there?
Not ideal but depends on the risk of Covid on your way to/,in office.

Yes I think so. I believe the wording is left woolly for this reason - it’s a decision taken between you and your employers.

Similar situation here with DH. He can WFH but would be nowhere near effective (equipment in his office that he needs to be efficient that we just can’t get at home)
Add to that, his office has about 5 people in it. All spaced a good few meters apart from each other.
He drives there so no using public transport
There isn’t enough room in the house for both of us to work here effectively

However, the CV board on MN is not the most rational and balanced place at the moment so you may get some rather hysterical replies basically calling you a murderer...

How many people are you interacting with going to and from the office?
Public transport, how many people are in the office?

Millions of people are working in less than ideal conditions at home. My friend has her desk in the corner of her DDs room so her DH can sleep in the daytime as he works nights. She initially was at the kitchen table but got fed up having nowhere to eat. Trying to get hold of office stuff, screens, desks and chairs early in the pandemic was a nightmare. Your office shouldn't be full, ask to borrow a chair. My desk was about £20 from ikea.

Scanning can be done by phone apps. Print n post, email and go into office once a week to do the post.

We all need to reduce contacts with the outside world or it just a waste of time.

We’ve had this conversation with our adult son who works about 30 minutes away. He finds it easier to go into work as he has 2 large screens and needs to liaise with co worker all the time. They have huge office space and only a handful of people in, My DH is vulnerable, so DS has agreed to work from home for the time being. He is now on one day a week furlough, so we will see how it goes, but I’m happier with him at home. There is 4 of us plus dog in 3 bed semi, so my son works downstairs in the mornings and upstairs with laptop in the afternoons, not ideal by any means.

@missbipolar

Well your husband should be supporting you in WFH not making your life harder and it sounds like he isn't? But yes it's ok

Where on earth did you get that from?

That's not quite the same as having small kids at home and no actual space to work though. I think it does depend on your circumstances but your son could be provided with a second screen and liaise with his colleague remotely like everyone else is doing.

At present I think it does. Though I don't think it should be, along with all the micro-managing bosses who have insisted on staff being at work.

The other thing is that there are some of those in offices who could do part of the week at home.

Ops dh is also working at home.
While I agree the op can go into the office in this case that would leave her dh in sole charge while also trying to work.
DH and I manage fine with older children and more space but it's still extremely helpful to be able to say "I'm busy for the next two hours, if you have a question ask your dad" (I do also say the opposite - no meetings this morning so if you need help ask me)

This sounds pretty fair to me. We had a similar problem during the first lockdown. Our downstairs is open plan and we have 2 young children, so he had to do all his work sitting on our bed.

He's been back in work since then and we are really hoping he can stay there.

Me and my partner are both doing a mixture of home and office.
I work 3 days so doing 1 day at home and 2 in the office. DP is full time so 3 days in the office and 2 at home.
I work in substance misuse so still need to see high risk clients and have conference calls for child protection reviews and core group meetings etc. DP is a probation officer and needs to see prison releases and high risk offenders.
We have a 15, 13, 13 and 11 year old at home and our calls are highly confidential. Out toddler is thankfully still in nursery.

Your DH sounds great and very supportive and I think as long as your employer agrees too it’s fine what you are doing.

I dont know.

I have similar issues. DH wrangles DC downstairs. DD has the dinning table for homeschooling and I'm shut in our bedroom for work.

Its not ideal, but wouldn't this be possible for you?

I’m not sure.

My husband and I are both live teaching to a full timetable from home. We have a 6 year old and a 3 year old and I am teaching from the kitchen table. The 3 year old is vulnerable to Covid so childcare isn’t an option (on medical advice).

On days when one of us has to go in for KW childcare, the other manages on their own and still teaches live all day.

However the rate here is 1603 per 100,000 with 1 in 16 infected.

@MrsJonesAndMe

My husband is going into work as his job is not compatible with me trying to home school, do washing, care for toddlers who are noisy/need to nap upstairs etc etc.

@MrsJonesAndMe

Just a thought, couldn't he just get some noice cancelling headphones?

OPs question was whether her situation is in keeping with the rules. If you look at the actual guidance it is fine for her to work in the office provided her employer has done everything they should be doing in terms of ventilation, social distancing, risk assessments etc.

Employers should consult with their employees to determine who needs to come into the workplace.

In applying this guidance, employers should be mindful of the particular needs of different groups of workers or individuals.

Yes. It's difficult for you to work from home so don't.