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Original poster

Don’t want WFH to end

272 replies

GuessWho57 · 26/04/2021 22:29

Vaccine roll out has just ramped-up here so I expect we’ll be back in the office at least partially from June. I am dreading it. I am really happy working from home. I don’t want to go back to the office.

My role is pretty senior so I’ll can’t swerve it.

I walk the kids to school, in jeans, chat to my husband in between calls, see the kids when they get in, don’t have to bother with work clothes or make up or putting your bloody game face on. I much much prefer presenting online HATE doing it f2f.

As an introvert, I am more than fine Witt the current set up.

My heart goes out to those struggling with wfh, but really I feel gutted it might end soon.

Sad
OP posts:
Flemingshat · 29/04/2021 16:15

I'd say the same to those complaining about how horrendous it is to work in an office alongside their fellow man and woman. They chose those jobs.

I absolutely agree, it's why I left as soon as I could and got a job working from home, and why I won't work for any employer that doesn't allow that.

RubyWooRed · 29/04/2021 16:17

All the people wanting to be 100% remote and going to request even if workplace asks you to go back ... are you not afraid that your remote job could be outsourced to somewhere cheaper and further like Asia etc

It’s proven jobs can be done remotely, why will companies pay UK rates when they could get labour far cheaper elsewhere ?

Friends company have already started streamlining office , 17 PA’s down to 10 ...

LST · 29/04/2021 16:27

@RubyWooRed

All the people wanting to be 100% remote and going to request even if workplace asks you to go back ... are you not afraid that your remote job could be outsourced to somewhere cheaper and further like Asia etc

It’s proven jobs can be done remotely, why will companies pay UK rates when they could get labour far cheaper elsewhere ?

Friends company have already started streamlining office , 17 PA’s down to 10 ...

Because I am the only one that can currently do mt job in the business and it needs to be done in the UK.
Flemingshat · 29/04/2021 16:27

It’s proven jobs can be done remotely, why will companies pay UK rates when they could get labour far cheaper elsewhere ?

Often because they don't get the same level of service and also because it can have major tax implications. And also because even those of us who do work 100% from home do still have the odd in person meeting/strategy day and so on, and because it's important to be on the same time zone as colleagues. Many reasons really. I work in HR and honestly can't see major outsourcing being a "thing".

DH's work outsources software developers - SOME are in India but they much, much prefer to have them UK based and the majority of them are.

LST · 29/04/2021 16:29

@I'd say the same to those complaining about how horrendous it is to work in an office alongside their fellow man and woman. They chose those jobs.

Hospitality havent been doing their jobs from home for the past 15 months. I didnt know it was an option before the pandemic. Turns out it is ans I prefer it!

LST · 29/04/2021 16:30

@Tealightsandd

Ugh. Imagine long term permanent full time WFH.

What a miserable lonely isolating society.

Even for people who live in spacious comfy houses that offer a comfortable working environment (something many don't have).

People's worlds will shrink. I've met so many different people through work. Exposed to different life experiences, cultures, backgrounds, opinions. It's been lovely. Interesting, educational, fun.

Social interaction with a wide variety of people. It's an important part of being a human.

I'd bloody love it. I'm disabled and working from home has been absolutely brilliant. No ugh about it
RedMarauder · 29/04/2021 16:41

@RubyWooRed I actually have my role because they can't find the resources in cheaper locations. So my role is remote as the team I'm working with is all around the UK and the world. (Oddly everyone is in a UK city where the company has an office.)

Oh and one of the issues with having staff in other countries is weather and issues with broadband connectivity. I've worked in global teams before where people can't work because they don't have any electricity let along internet access for 4-7 days due to storms, tornados etc. Not good with deadlines....

Flemingshat · 29/04/2021 16:42

those complaining about how horrendous it is to work in an office alongside their fellow man and woman

Also that just shows your prejudice against people who prefer it TBH. Again, not very open minded of you.

lljkk · 29/04/2021 16:48

Supposedly benefits to small towns, commuter suburbs will come from more WFH. Due to more local day time spending. Will believe it when we get some good evidence about it.

DH's company has employed Indians living in India...they don't produce as good quality work, tbh, communication breakdowns are common. Could be cultural diffs or different education system to blame, but main thing is, definitely not hugely cheaper in the end.

IcedPurple · 29/04/2021 16:52

@Flemingshat

those complaining about how horrendous it is to work in an office alongside their fellow man and woman

Also that just shows your prejudice against people who prefer it TBH. Again, not very open minded of you.

Why are you replying to the same comment twice?

I perfectly understand why home working suits many people. But if you've read these discussions over the past year, you'll have seen that quite a few people consider their colleagues to be nothing more than an irritant, and complain about how much they resented having to work with them. Of course, using your own logic above, it was pretty silly of them to choose a line of work which involved being in an office.

RubyWooRed · 29/04/2021 16:57

Perhaps those in specialized / niche / higher up roles of course will be kept in the UK.

I’m thinking more of the banking / call centre / admin / PA type roles , these are the types of jobs that are being streamlined already.

Obviously if you are a high earning high flyer only one of you in the UK then it’s not likely to impact you.

Flemingshat · 29/04/2021 18:58

Why are you replying to the same comment twice?

I'm sorry, I have ADHD and often reply to things in more than one go because I type faster than I think and jump the gun when I have more to say.

Of course, using your own logic above, it was pretty silly of them to choose a line of work which involved being in an office.

You'll have seen I didn't disagree with that at all. I still don't think it's actually that comparable to a job in hospitality though. As an office worker in my early career there was absolutely no reason other than prejudice from management as to why I couldn't have worked from home - they just didn't want people to, but it was perfectly possible. It isn't possible to wait tables from homes.

Badbadbunny · 29/04/2021 18:59

@lljkk

Supposedly benefits to small towns, commuter suburbs will come from more WFH. Due to more local day time spending. Will believe it when we get some good evidence about it.

DH's company has employed Indians living in India...they don't produce as good quality work, tbh, communication breakdowns are common. Could be cultural diffs or different education system to blame, but main thing is, definitely not hugely cheaper in the end.

That depends on the recruitment and management of the overseas workers. A lot of firms don't due the necessary "due diligence" and end up using inexperienced or lesser qualified workers, either because they go for the cheapest or simply don't understand the qualifications structure in another country.

At the last firm I worked at, they tried several times to "offshore" some of the work to India. The first few times were a nightmare and the contracts were quickly terminated as we were very carefully monitoring their work and they basically hadn't a clue despite having what were claimed to be the right qualifications, but they finally hit upon a small firm who were every bit as good as qualified/experienced UK workers and were kept on long term.

LST · 29/04/2021 19:00

@RubyWooRed

Perhaps those in specialized / niche / higher up roles of course will be kept in the UK.

I’m thinking more of the banking / call centre / admin / PA type roles , these are the types of jobs that are being streamlined already.

Obviously if you are a high earning high flyer only one of you in the UK then it’s not likely to impact you.

I'm only on 25k. I think that is also what is making my job safe for what I do
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 29/04/2021 20:12

Yes agree completely about the confidentiality thing.

We were emailed a reminder about confidentiality. I read it and laughed - short of telling DH to leave every time I'm on a call there's nothing I can do to stop him hearing my calls.

If you aren't happy with your working environment then change it. I did.

If they say I have to work from home I'll have to leave for the sake of my sanity. There are no plans to close the office so I don't see why I can't go in full time and so I won't be happy if I have to put up with working from home and having no work life balance when the office is still there.

didhr · 29/04/2021 21:13

I’ve been going in everyday for months. I hate working from home. I’m glad I have too because I get the distinct impression that those not in a rush to get back are going to be at home permanently shortly as their jobs will be gone.

CarrieAntoinette · 30/04/2021 15:54

@didhr

I’ve been going in everyday for months. I hate working from home. I’m glad I have too because I get the distinct impression that those not in a rush to get back are going to be at home permanently shortly as their jobs will be gone.
Yet it's the in person jobs that have been furloughed in the main, and you would have thought those jobs were more at risk than any of us who have worked productively throughout. (Many whilst simultaneously homeschooling, and taking on extra caring responsibilities for older relatives who were shielding, in less than ideal home set ups.)

We are still in the midst of the pandemic so at least one more "Work From Home If You Can" order is probably in all of our futures.

UserAtRandom · 30/04/2021 16:58

@didhr

I’ve been going in everyday for months. I hate working from home. I’m glad I have too because I get the distinct impression that those not in a rush to get back are going to be at home permanently shortly as their jobs will be gone.
Lucky you. I'd love to go to work, but my workplace remains resolutely closed and tells us we must abide by the "work at home if you can" restriction.
Badbadbunny · 30/04/2021 18:47

@Flemingshat I'd say the same to those complaining about how horrendous it is to work in an office alongside their fellow man and woman. They chose those jobs.

But you don't really "know" until you're first day whether you're working in an office of a handful of people or a few dozen, nor whether you're going to get on with your immediate co-workers.

I got one hell of a shock on my first day in my second job. In my first job I was working in a lovely environment of "nice" people. In my second job, it was a real hell-hole, not just the people, but it was a dark dingy office with antiquated furniture/fittings etc. I wasn't going to be caught out again, so on my second interview for Job 3, I asked for a quick tour of the office and to be shown where, exactly, I'd be working - the interviewers (the two senior partners) were a bit taken aback but it was the tour that swayed it for me as it was a really pleasant environment, good views from the office windows, spread out desks, etc.

CynsterBitch · 30/04/2021 21:25

I’m quite pleased that my employer has seen the advantages of WFH. Once Gov Advice is to go back to work we will be doing it on a rota, 3 weeks at home, 1 in work. I love working from home but I miss seeing people, so I’ll really enjoy getting back in the office for that one week a month tbh

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 30/04/2021 21:35

I'll be handing in my notice if my company tries that one @CynsterBitch! I was asked the other day if the company could do anything to make working from home better for me and I was so tempted to say buy me a bigger house!

CynsterBitch · 30/04/2021 22:05

@PinkSparklyPussyCat
Each to their own, for me it’s the perfect solution. I’d be handing in my notice/look for a new job if I was required to go back to the office more than that. I wouldn’t have minded working back in the office less though, I do love my at home set up

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 30/04/2021 22:10

Sorry @CynsterBitch, that was supposed to be a criticism, I know a lot of people are happy.

Sadly I've had to move into the shed and, while it's nice to have the living room back, it's not a long term solution. I'm hoping work accept that some of us can't work from permanently, we're just not set up for it and it's not possible to change things.

Abracadabra12345 · 30/04/2021 22:23

@Tealightsandd

Ugh. Imagine long term permanent full time WFH.

What a miserable lonely isolating society.

Even for people who live in spacious comfy houses that offer a comfortable working environment (something many don't have).

People's worlds will shrink. I've met so many different people through work. Exposed to different life experiences, cultures, backgrounds, opinions. It's been lovely. Interesting, educational, fun.

Social interaction with a wide variety of people. It's an important part of being a human.

I do agree with this
Vivana · 01/05/2021 00:34

I would love to work from home but my job it would not be possible so I'm looking at doing a wfh job as a 2nd job as first one is only part time