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Covid

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Original poster

Are you going back to the office next week?

86 replies

bevelino · 17/07/2021 11:05

Our office of around 1500 people have suspended reopening next week due to the anticipated increase in infection rates. Also we were told that we need to download the NHS app but now they are concerned that it will lead to the whole office having to isolate in a similar way that we have seen in schools in the UK.

Unless modifications are made to the NHS app I don’t see how it will be possible for people to return to work without multiple periods of isolation and massive disruption.

OP posts:

VanGoSunflowers · 17/07/2021 21:26

@thedevilinablackdress

I'm definitely more productive without a commute

Are you working during the time you would have been commuting?
I wonder if this is why many employers are keen on WFH, all the free extra work they're getting.

That and the money they will save which they obviously won’t pass on to their employees…

Lessstressedhemum · 17/07/2021 21:28

My dh works for a government agency. They have been told that they won't be back in the office until at least next March and even then it'll be a staggered return with blended arrangements for some time.

NothingIsWrong · 17/07/2021 21:34

Been back in 3 days a week since March. I couldn't have handled much more 100% WFH, it was soul destroying. My mental health took a proper beating trying to do a collaborative role over dodgy broadband with colleagues who were becoming more and more disengaged and uninterested. It lead to increased siloing, reduced innovation and opportunities to combine projects and basically meant people cared less.

FrownedUpon · 17/07/2021 21:50

No, we’re continuing to work from home thank goodness!

gogohm · 17/07/2021 21:56

Been back since February. Life doesn't stop! Have my own office though

NoGoodOptions · 17/07/2021 22:04

Nope and not requested or required back till the end of this calendar year 🤗 after that, I imagine it will be 1-2 days/ week.

OrangeBananaFish · 17/07/2021 22:16

Been in full time since March. We have screens, temp checks and mask wearing is compulsory when moving about as is one way systems and only 1 person in the kitchen etc. We've also been told to turn our track and trace off while at work due to it being covid secure. I'm happy with this TBH

AfternoonToffee · 17/07/2021 22:32

Back in on Monday, all staff, no mitigations in place whatsoever.

I am fairly pragmatic about everything, but it's gone from screens, desk spacing, one way systems, no kitchen, one in loo at a time etc last year to basically a free for all. Boris said it would be ok though. Area rates are over 1000 per 100 000, bets already laid as to when we all go home again.

Original poster

bevelino · 17/07/2021 23:10

I and many of my colleagues have been going into the office once or twice a week and it has been lovely to see everyone. But we are all worried about being pinged and some of my colleagues have now deleted the app.

OP posts:

EdgeOfACoin · 17/07/2021 23:11

@thedevilinablackdress

I'm definitely more productive without a commute

Are you working during the time you would have been commuting?
I wonder if this is why many employers are keen on WFH, all the free extra work they're getting.

Yeah, all this 'extra productivity' - people doing 2 hours extra work a day for free.

And if productivity has been so good during covid, I fail to understand how customer service has been so uniformly bad for the last 16 months.

NannyAndJohn · 17/07/2021 23:38

@TheKeatingFive

I’ve been back (part time) for months now.

Never stepping foot in the office again.

Why go anywhere, huh nanny?

One could ask why is anyone going anywhere at the moment, given the current circumstances.

Even with cases at a lower level (which we have no chance of getting back to without lockdown), workplaces are still a high risk environment.

TheKeatingFive · 17/07/2021 23:43

One could ask why is anyone going anywhere at the moment, given the current circumstances.

Oh I know you could ask Nanny.

There are times were I wonder if you are for real.

Personally, my risk of serious outcomes from getting covid are probably less at this stage than my risk of being seriously injured in an RTA. Perspective.

FizzyPink · 17/07/2021 23:45

No. We’re more than welcome to if we want to and they’re increasing the number of people allowed in each day but until everyone has been double jabbed no one will be forced back into the office.
For the time being October is the provisional date for going back but even that will only be 2 days per week minimum with the other 3 from home if you choose to.

IRanSoFarAway1 · 17/07/2021 23:49

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

JaceLancs · 17/07/2021 23:51

We’ve been back in office for just over a year - some people on a rota
From Monday everyone is back full time

knittingaddict · 17/07/2021 23:56

@IRanSoFarAway1

Why is anyone working during their commute time?!

No idea.

My husband has a very well paid responsible job and logs on at 9 and stops about 5 to 5.30 most days. His team have been working really well from home and will continue for a while yet.

His commute before covid was a good 3 hours a day, so his quality of life is much better, but still gets his work done efficiently.

I wonder if those working extra hours are feeling the pressure to prove themselves. Not all employers are great at managing their staff wth.

NotMyCat · 17/07/2021 23:57

@EdgeOfACoin probably because everything has been affected. For instance my customers see me as offering bad service. It's not, it's just that I can't get them an appointment because we are fully booked. That's because we are manically busy and also staff are isolating

People are being pinged and children isolating left right and centre so short staffed. Stuff like car repairs - there's a massive delay on parts so customer aren't happy but we can't do anything about it, because it's the actual car brand having issues. Can't get new cars to sell, October is the latest if you wanted a new one from our brand, again it's the actual brand and not the garages fault but we take the shit for it

Obviously it depends on which company but a lot of our customers are perceiving bad service (which it's not) because people are at home. They're not.. there's only me WFH! I've done the job for 4 years and been upset maybe a couple of times by customers. The last 6 months I've cried at my desk at least 5 times before 9am because of the way I've been spoken to

Bobholll · 18/07/2021 00:30

We are back. But hybrid. Looking forward to it, be nice to see everyone. I’m sure we’ll be isolating in about 3 days but hey ho 😂

QueefofSheena · 18/07/2021 00:37

I’ve been back for a while but it’s well enforced social distancing and fewer people with WFH a day or do a week on a rota. Colleagues have been dropping like flies to the dreaded ping for the past couple of weeks, and some have gone on to be really quite unwell, all are double vaccinated too.

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 18/07/2021 00:49

We're still wfh for the next month. I'm immunosuppressed so who knows what my risk assessment for an open plan office will be. Government guidance is to only meet with vaccinated people so all my colleagues would have to confirm that they are but I know at least one isn't. And I don't think they can ask people to declare.

Silverparting · 18/07/2021 01:14

I'm back part time. Nightmare. Tiny office, rammed in, no Covid mitigations, chairs back to back no gaps. Air con drawing air from inside, no masks.
This is allowed because it's in a school, so doesnt seem the same protections as others in offices.

TheVampiresWife · 18/07/2021 07:11

DH is wfh permanently and wouldn't go back even if it was an option. We're saving over £100pm in fares and he's saving 3 hours a day commuting, plus he can do stuff he actually wants to do with his lunch hour/breaks rather than sitting on a bench in a business park eating crappy sandwiches in the drizzle.

Also I love having him at home!

Whiskycav · 18/07/2021 07:22

@IRanSoFarAway1

Why is anyone working during their commute time?!

I don't think anyone said that.

Someone said they are more productive without their commute.

My team log on and off at the same time they always did, but all feel without the stress of a commute, their early morning work is better.

Those that have the worst commutes are often stressing about it or watching traffic reports in the late afternoon. Again without the commute they are distracted worry about if traffic will stop them getting to their kids nursery on time (as an example).

Reducing people's commute can make them more productive, without them actually working during their usual commute time.

TheVampiresWife · 18/07/2021 07:35

One could ask why is anyone going anywhere at the moment, given the current circumstances

Some people don't have a choice (not just work, either). It must be lovely to be so privileged that you can lock yourself away like that.

Or rather, pass on the risks to others (usually those on low wages/zero hour contracts and working in environments where SD isn't possible) who will deliver everything to you, so you can hole yourself up in your misery bunker for the next year.

Unexpectedbaby · 18/07/2021 07:41

We have been able to go in if and when we want for a while now but from Monday we have a mandatory minimum 2 days per week.

Desk booking system required now.

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