Back in office

[namechangeaga1n]

So DP and all staff back in office from 12th inc those that work only with people in other offices. I think it's a bit shite and think firms that stick two fingers up to staff and don't have presence of mind to wait til more people are vaccinated will lose a lot of their decent players as time goes on. Hope not too many firms do this so that reopening doesn't get fucked.

[quote WeAllHaveWings]Private sector here. Our London HQ offices will reopen on the 12th April on a voluntary basis only for those who feel they need to go in as struggling at home or for business critical projects, but they have very strict rules for this that do want to go in.

They must discuss with their line manager first to see if there is anything that can be done to support then at home more, they then need to book a desk. Desks that will be used have been completely cleared of everything except for monitors. Every other desk has been closed off to ensure all are at least 2m apart.

You must wear a company provided face masks at all times except when sitting at your desk. If you remove your mask you should then put on a new one. When you leave for the day the desk must be completely cleared and desk and chair cleaned with spray/wipes provided.

Only 2 meeting rooms are open, the largest training rooms that normally hold 100+ people and numbers in those rooms are very limited to

Will not surprise me if I end up changing employer. I want to go to an office

Well those who want to work in an office need to swap jobs with those who want to work at home.

Of course, a sensible employer of office workers would facilitate both means of working.

At the moment if you can work from home you should be - until June 21st. It's amazing how many employers think the rules don't apply to them.

Our London HQ offices will reopen on the 12th April on a voluntary basis only for those who feel they need to go in as struggling at home or for business critical projects, but they have very strict rules for this that do want to go in

My employer is similar, as is DH's.

I’m a secondary teacher and I teach in a room that doesn’t even have a window to even open. I get the fear. I’ve felt sick with anxiety all year. I’ve been lucky to escape the virus so far but have seen many colleagues and pupils ill. We have also have to navigate new ways of working. You will get used to it and I can say when I’m in the ‘thick of it’ I don’t give Covid a second thought.

Why are you feeling so outraged? Genuine question to help you either understand yourself or work out how to phrase your objections to your employer.

'a bit shite' isn't going to cut the mustard if you wish to negotiate flexible working.

Op how does your dp feel about it?

@Motnight we feel about the same ie pointless risk, lost a lot of respect for organisation being so short sighted and taking pointless risks with staff, business and community, realisation that "strong" players will move to a more progressive and forward thinking company when market allows etc. As for going back in, will feel weird, but that's because of so long out of the office and would feel weird in a couple of months. Going back in against guidelines? Feels like firm putting people in a shitty position - forcing them to forego guidelines for job and knowing firm are willing to do that. Seating as usual, all staff back in etc, most won't be vaccinated. Hoping not too many firms do this so that roadmap will go ahead.

@Motnight and @pommedeterre we feel about the same ie pointless risk, lost a lot of respect for organisation being so short sighted and taking pointless risks with staff, business and community, realisation that "strong" players will move to a more progressive and forward thinking company when market allows etc. As for going back in, will feel weird, but that's because of so long out of the office and would feel weird in a couple of months. Going back in against guidelines? Feels like firm putting people in a shitty position - forcing them to forego guidelines for job and knowing firm are willing to do that. Seating as usual, all staff back in etc, most won't be vaccinated. Hoping not too many firms do this so that roadmap will go ahead.

@motherrunner teachers have had a rough deal, I agree and the laughable media portrayals of supposed school and classroom situations must feel like you're going crazy at times.

To add to huge post above, we've just had our rules for Scotland. They do not expect the Scotland advisory “work from home wherever possible” to be lifted until around June. So voluntary office use won't be until then and will have the same strict rules as London HQ.

For those really struggling with WFH they can discuss exceptional circumstances to see if there is an option to use the office now that "stay at home" has changed to "stay local".

To allow staff to manage childcare over the summer holidays they are saying September is the earliest they expect the offices to fully reopen (London HQ has this too). A final message was they are reviewing what their flexible working policies will be going forward.

@WeAllHaveWings I like your firm!!

[quote namechangeaga1n]@WeAllHaveWings I like your firm!! [/quote]
They have some massive downsides when it comes to individual managers and teams,, but when it comes to personnel policies like this they are very good. They were one of the first firms to do 6 months full paid paternity leave for new dads.

I've been back since last September. We've had no cases of covid in the office though we've had a couple self-isolating due to their family members catching it.

We don't wear masks. Our desks are 2 metres away from each other. There are no windows in my office but we have the door open into the next office where there is a window. There is one set of toilets with two cubicles but a bolt has been put on the main door for one at a time. It's one at a time in the communal kitchen too. The boss has put red tape on the floor round everyone's desk as a visual reminder not to step into someone else's space and there are 2m markers around the rest of the office.

We had a spot covid check from HSE last week which was a bit nerve wracking as the boss was out so I had to answer the questions and show him round but it was all fine.

DH also being told he has to go back in 5 days a week. It's a job that can be easily done from home and output/success can easily be measured. This year he's had higher output that any of the previous 10 years.

Small office with little ventilation, but it's more the daily commute on train and tube that I'm worried about.

I'm unvaccinated and pregnant. Plus run down from suffering with HG. I worry that my body wouldn't have it in it to put up a decent fight against Covid.

I'm just hoping they let him work from home for the 2 weeks before my due date so there is less risk of him testing positive and me having to birth alone.

"I'm just hoping they let him work from home for the 2 weeks before my due date so there is less risk of him testing positive and me having to birth alone."
@zzzebra congratulations on your pregnancy. How far along are you?** Hopefully they'll show some flexibility before your due date.

People referring to gov guidance, it is just that, guidance

Maybe I should start a thread about office one way systems, competitive comparisons.

My office shares a wall with the women's lavs.

Office -> women's lav: 20' journey, 3 fire doors (including lav door). Return this way involves propping fire door open, so not officially permitted.

Women's lav-> office (usual official permitted route): 200' journey, 7 fire doors

Women's lav->office (covid permitted route): 400' journey, 10 fire doors, 2 flights of stairs

It's a sedentary job so I generally don't mind the extra trek to return, but is annoying when you're busy

Nope. I think it's fine and it's just anxiety compelling people. People don't seem to be assess risk properly.

I completely disagree with bookworm1632.

@ILoveAfternoonTea

People referring to gov guidance, it is just that, guidance

I know, but it does seem unnecessary to ignore guidance, however voluntary, when it relates to health and safety. For the sake of what surely now is a matter of weeks. The end is in sight, so why the impatience? I would feel a little uncomfortable too. Not because I’d be worried about COVID necessarily, but by the very fact my employer would be choosing to go against guidance designed to protect people.

I just don’t get the enough is enough attitude in this context. Wait a little longer and you’ll be able to reopen offices in exactly the same way without giving employees the message that compromises can be made on H&S.

I think many, many businesses are on their knees and have to make decisions that aren't necessarily popular but ultimately will save jobs . I don't think there is an easy answer or one that works for all scenarios, but those saying people will leave , so be it but unemployment such as it is there will be hundreds willing to fill that place .
As for transport , I don't think it will be good for it to run empty , that means drivers losing their jobs and fares running sky high for when travel becomes necessary.
There are 2 sides of the coin always.

@Oblomov21

Nope. I think it's fine and it's just anxiety compelling people. People don't seem to be assess risk properly.

Agreed also the convenience of WFH, less transport costs, less hours in childcare more free time. There is nothing wrong with this or wanting a better work/ life balance but some are using the virus as an excuse saying it's not safe to return and putting employers and colleagues in a difficult position.

Risk assessment, in the private sector of a small firm, are you having a laugh!

The laws apply to everyone, whether Covid or anything else. There are no magic fairies in the public sector that make employers more likley to follow the law - it is workers and their unions who do that. Oddly, such things also apply in the private sector, whatever size it is. You stand up and fight for your own rights, or you accept what you are given. Your choice, just like it's everyone else's.

@Moondust001 That's all well and good in theory but very few small private firms employees will be union members let alone have anything like a proper HR dept. Also when you work for a small firm you are often very aware of the businesses financial situation and so you are perhaps more likely to be willing to do whatever it takes to keep the business and your job going regardless of rules or guidance.