Are you going back to the office next week?

[bevelino]

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.

We're not going back until next year at the earliest and even then it will be 80% at home.

My husband’s been back in the office since March but most were still WFH or furloughed until the company decided that everyone had to return two weeks ago.

They were all pinged on Friday due to a positive case (and someone else received a positive result last night) so they’ve had to close completely while all isolate for 10 days.

‘Why is anyone working in their commute time?’

Er, cos we have work we need to do an we can get it done then?

We are moving to a system of ‘whatever’. Offices are open and staffed by a skeleton support staff but no-one is insisting that everyone else goes in.

I had assumed that we would get something more formal in place around September when schools were back. Now I am not so sure as people are saying nothing will be back to normal until after flu season, so Easter next year.

@TheVampiresWife

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.

But having loads of people leaving the house for work that could easily be done at home increases the risk for everyone, including the people that have to work outside of the home. Yes, the people at home get the most reduction in risk but the risk reduction for everyone else is non trivial.

@Silverparting

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.

That's pretty much how we're going back tomorrow. And to top it off I go out to see vulnerable people.

*'Why is anyone working in their commute time?’
Er, cos we have work we need to do an we can get it done then? *

That's fine if you're getting flexibility elsewhere and not working more hours than you would have when office based. There can be a real issue with people feeling unable to switch off when WFH

Yeah, I may be cynical but I imagine many firms are rubbing their hands together with glee knowing that their employees are most likely doing more work than before, probably feel they have to work even harder to justify their existence AND they’re picking up the facilities bill WITH all the extra ancillary charges that do with it.

Firms save a fortune and get more work out of their employees. It’s a huge win for them…

Totally agree VanGo but I wonder if it's going to be a short term win. In the longer term I think there will be downsides from loss of cohesion/culture, breakdown of informal training and mentoring, loss of serendipitous collaboration. But those things are not so easy to quantify right now.

@thedevilinablackdress

Totally agree VanGo but I wonder if it's going to be a short term win. In the longer term I think there will be downsides from loss of cohesion/culture, breakdown of informal training and mentoring, loss of serendipitous collaboration. But those things are not so easy to quantify right now.

I completely agree with you. There is nothing quite like collaborating in an actual office space.

I’ve already had more than one instance where an entire bid proposal has been changed for the better because we’ve bumped in to someone who was able to offer advice (and we wouldn’t have thought to call them) those conversations are priceless.

I've been sleeping in my commute time. In for a shocker in the morning. 💤

@IRanSoFarAway1

Why is anyone working during their commute time?!

Not me 😬 log on at 8:59 every morning!