Do you think government will recommend return to ‘WFH if you can’?

[SophieH83]

Some of my colleagues (perhaps wishfully thinking) believe that gov will reintroduce ‘WFH if you can’ any day now.

Do you think it’s likely?

@Mynameismargot

Agreed. I worked as a support worker throughout the whole of covid, and decided that actually I would quite like to now work from home, so got myself a new job which would allow me to do that.

Been good for my mental health so far and I’m enjoying my new role.

@AliceinBorderland well I’m far more productive with my drafting when I’m in my quiet office at home rather than the open plan office at work where I can’t hear myself think. Your paralegal may hate working from home but mine much prefers it.

I don’t think they will, they are too concerned with ‘Keep calm and carry on’ and they have too many backers with investment in the high street. But yes I believe they should.

God I hope not. I can’t cope with another winter of it.

[quote AliceinBorderland]@DentalWorries I'll tell that to my paralegal who lives in a shared house with 6 others and has to be cooped up in a bedroom all day. It drove her mad.

But everyone is of the mentality I'm happy if big insulated house. So utterly selfish.

WFH needs to end[/quote]
I think it will and I’m also worried for my wfh colleagues in houseshares.

I think they probably will because SAGE have said it’s about the number one thing they can do in winter to reduce contacts. It’s certainly easier and cheaper than paying for furlough if they have to shut some sectors down again.

Those in house shares should be allowed to continue to attend the office if they wish on the basis the “if you can” part doesn’t necessarily apply to them and the risk is moderated by the vaccine programme.

Not just those in house shares either. We (public sector) have been allowed into the office throughout where there is a welfare issue which means working from home full time doesn’t work for the individual. My BIL has also been in the office throughout as it’s better for his mental health to have the routine of travelling to the office and seeing people.

@AliceinBorderland

it costs me £9 a day to get there so I’d be very happy with a winter working from home

Wait until you see your gas and electricity bill after a winter of WFH with the horrendous increase in gas prices lately. Enjoy!

Surely only the minority spend more than £9 per day extra on their gas?

Many of the scientists seem to think it's the best way to reduce infections whilst leaving schools open. However, I don't think they'll do it because of the effect on commercial landlords (conservative party funders). More likely imo is "don't visit each others houses" again which has little effect on the economy. However, as they know no-one will take any notice perhaps they'll stick to the "do nothing except vaccinations" strategy and just hope for the best. Happy Covid winter everyone!

My commute is £20 a day - definitely wouldn’t be spending that extra in gas!

In what way does a short further period of WFH affect commercial landlords? Unless you’re assuming companies will begin giving up their leases (if they conveniently end at the point WFH is reinstated)?

I wouldn’t be surprised if wfh if you can returns, along with mask wearing. I think there are many people that wfh isn’t suitable so if everyone who can wfh are given the choice, it would mean some will stay home and some will go in.

At this point I think many businesses can determine their own situation

My neighbours (global professional services) is still wfh whereas others aren’t

Places have invested and probably found a balance that maximises profit and employee retention - maybe forcing it won’t be on the cards

Here we go again ☹️

I work for a local authority and we were sent home yesterday having been told that we are now working from home fully until further notice.

Re commencial landlords - I was thinking that if wfh becomes permanent for some businesses, they may give up their leases. Others who allow partial wfh may move to smaller premises. Then there is the effect on high street businesses (lunch hour and before and after work trade in city centres) and the petrol and deisel revenue to consider. Maybe these are more important, who knows? Whatever the reason the government want people to go into work even though SAGE are saying wfh will reduce transmission. Everything has a reason, but we are always left to guess it!

@EmmyLake I see your "busy and vibrant campus" and raise you my "watercooler moments" 🤣

'Watercooler moments' might be a naff phrase, but I do think that unplanned, general chitchat in the office can have impatient benefits for information sharing and relationship building.
I can see both sides of the debate here own WFO/WFH preferences and there are no easy answers that suit every individual and every organisation.

impatient should be important!!

I work for a local authority and I’ve not been in yet, I think they are pre-emoting the decision tbh.

I wouldn’t be surprised, however not sure how many places will reintroduce it or allow those who wish to WFH to do so.

I don’t have much faith that any restrictions or lockdowns they try to reintroduce will have the same impact as before.

@ShirleyBadass

I work for a local authority and we were sent home yesterday having been told that we are now working from home fully until further notice.

How did it go down? Were people pleased

AliceinBorderland
👏👏

I think it's likely. I can't WFH but to be honest it has been great for business in my industry - furniture factory!