Don’t want WFH to end

[GuessWho57]

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.

When are most people being summoned back, by the way? It seems to be mostly June. I wonder if bosses are making sure people are back before summer holidays kick in, as I imagine that's the worst bit for WFH/family life clash.

And, yeah, if I hear one more recorded voice saying there's an hour long wait to speak to anyone because of Covid, I am going to... Well, definitely change suppliers (such a killer response). I know it's a pain, but companies will hugely miss out if they're the last to bring back normal service, if you see what I mean.

Me too. I work alongside sale people - and apparently they all want the office stress and late nights. It’s very exciting apparently. They are all young and trying to prove themselves I suppose (also no kids or mortgages). They also get commission.

Stuff that for a game of soldiers - I did the 3am press passes and all night working sessions to get projects out when I was younger (they would be weeping into their lattes if they actually had to do this) and I certainly don’t need this!

@Countrylane

And, yeah, if I hear one more recorded voice saying there's an hour long wait to speak to anyone because of Covid, I am going to... Well, definitely change suppliers (such a killer response). I know it's a pain, but companies will hugely miss out if they're the last to bring back normal service, if you see what I mean.

I mean, what's that all about? If someone's working from home, how come they can't answer the phone? Clearly WFH is NOT more productive in many cases.

It's obvious some jobs need to be spread out more around the country. Londoners can't keep being priced away from family (including childcare) and support networks and like others say the housing stock there is finite. However, I agree with other posters. Loads of perfectly decent jobs are available outside of London. Often another city or big town rather than rural, but London only, no.

I loved the office life when I first started out. I feel so sad for young people just out of school or university if WFH continues permanently. How utterly shit for them. Crappy too for older career changers.

‘Cos... COVID’ has become a joke excuse around here.

Why was the milk left out last night?
Cos covid

Why is the laundry still in the machine?
Cos covid

Who are the last piece of chocolate??
Cos covid?

Lloyds blocked my credit card - it took over two hours to get it sorted out. I wanted to pay off my device plan with O2 and I couldn't even speak to someone. As my phone hadn't been stolen and I wasn't thinking of leaving them I kept being cut off. It's ridiculous.

Not read the entire thread, but I suspect your employer will be much more willing to compromise now and accept maybe 1 or at most 2 days in the office, if you work FT. I did this pattern pre-pandemic (just 1 day in office in dreadful Canary Wharf) and actually quite enjoyed the variety of one day in, having the odd coffee with colleagues etc.

@PinkSparklyPussyCat

Lloyds blocked my credit card - it took over two hours to get it sorted out. I wanted to pay off my device plan with O2 and I couldn't even speak to someone. As my phone hadn't been stolen and I wasn't thinking of leaving them I kept being cut off. It's ridiculous.

I had a similar situation with Barclay's. I got locked out of my online banking and it took an age to get to speak to an actual human being to get it sorted. I waited over half an hour several times and the battery on my phone ran down before anyone picked up. Just constant 'Please understand that our services have been impacted by Covid' over and over again. I kept thinking, well, your fees remain the same! Prior to last year, I had found Barclay's customer services to be vey good.

It's been a nightmare with my water company.

I literally spent all day on the phone to Barclays
Each time I had been on hold for 45 minutes I automatically got cut off and had to phone again
Apparently this is acceptable due to Covid

@user1487194234

I literally spent all day on the phone to Barclays Each time I had been on hold for 45 minutes I automatically got cut off and had to phone again Apparently this is acceptable due to Covid

So it wasn't just me then!

My experience was last summer. I'd like to think they'd have upped their game since then but chances are they haven't. Bcoz Covid.

This was about 6 weeks ago

@user1487194234

This was about 6 weeks ago

I'm sure a lot of those working in Barclay's customer service will insist they are 'so much more productive' WFH. And maybe they are. I'm sure they're working just as hard if not harder than they did when in the office. But that doesn't mean that the system works as a whole or that their 'productivity' is satisfactory from the customer's point of view. Hopefully this level of 'service' will soon become unacceptable.

I think there's 'acceptable levels of work and productivity during a pandemic' and acceptable levels normally. I would many of those who have been 'more productive' fit into the former.

I mean, what's that all about? If someone's working from home, how come they can't answer the phone?
Too busy enjoying how convenient the school run has become.

For those who now want permanent remote working, where do you find those jobs?
Everything I can find is either:
low paid,
temporary due to covid
avon type jobs
self employment - "do you want to become a...."
There doesn't seem to be much for professionals

I’m the opposite. Can’t wait to stop wfh all week. I’m also an introvert but my home feels like a prison.

@choli

I mean, what's that all about? If someone's working from home, how come they can't answer the phone? Too busy enjoying how convenient the school run has become.

They're all on Mumsnet telling people how productive they are...

@converseandjeans

majorneville

I don't think people are saying they want lockdown to stay though. I love wfh but I still want to go out to shops, pubs, concerts, sports games, it's just the wfh I want to keep. Luckily I can, although I'll probably do a mix.

So you want the luxury of wfh and later start, no commute etc while people in hospitality, retail etc have no choice at all?

Yes.

@ScotlandUnited

For those who now want permanent remote working, where do you find those jobs? Everything I can find is either: low paid, temporary due to covid avon type jobs self employment - "do you want to become a...." There doesn't seem to be much for professionals

I just had an interview at a law firm and they are letting us choose. I can come in or I can stay at home. That's the job I want.

@user1487194234

I literally spent all day on the phone to Barclays Each time I had been on hold for 45 minutes I automatically got cut off and had to phone again Apparently this is acceptable due to Covid

Definitely seeing your point.

I needed support I was on holiday for 1hour and 20 minutes. I decided to send an email. They answred it overnight with the wrong answer.

WFH isn't the reason for poor service. The reason you can't get through to anyone isn't because of WFH, it's because of unscrupulous employers misusing the furlough scheme.

It was meant to be if your sector was affected by covid, not for anyone to save money on their wage bill. If you are eg South West Water or British Gas, you are not affected by covid.

I had a second broadband line installed last year during the first lockdown, and Plusnet and Openreach organised it efficiently despite being home-based rather than call-centre based.

Work is what you do, not where you go. Good employees do their job properly wherever they are.

The DVLA is rubbish but I think that's because everyone was getting covid in their office so they've hardly got anyone in. That would not stop them from taking calls (but might affect getting driving licences etc sent out). My mum tried to call them the other day on behalf of a friend and they just didn't answer. You can't even hang on, they just say they're got loads of calls and cut you off. No excuse for that.

WFH isn't the reason for poor service.

I don’t agree at all, it’s a significant part of it.

Call centre staff can be monitored and supervised much more effectively in the office. My cousin works in this area, in management, and she’s tearing her hair out with how challenging it is remotely. They didn’t furlough anyone.

We have a small team on the phones in my office and they’re all struggling with how lonely and isolated it is working from home. The office camaraderie was important to them. They’re all young and can’t wait to get back.

@ScotlandUnited

For those who now want permanent remote working, where do you find those jobs? Everything I can find is either: low paid, temporary due to covid avon type jobs self employment - "do you want to become a...." There doesn't seem to be much for professionals

I think it'll take a while for things to settle down to the point that employers are confident enough to say that jobs are remote and will stay that way. My boss wanted to advertise my maternity cover as a remote job because they struggled to recruit and she thought it might mean it got more candidates but HR overruled her because no formal decision has been made about remote working yet.