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Original poster

Anyone else's boss completely ignoring the WFH guidance?

62 replies

Squashpocket · 10/12/2021 14:15

Me (completely computer based job that can easily be done at home): so will we be working from home from Monday then?

My boss (having read the HR guidance stating we should WFH if we can): doesn't look like anything to me. Come in as normal.

🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
Rainbowsandstorms · 10/12/2021 14:21

DH is having similar issues. Worked effectively from home for months, still expected in the office. So frustrated.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 10/12/2021 14:26

that's ridiculous.

The rule is "work from home if it's possible, come in if you must"

It's possible, and he doesnt need to.

The boss is mad to ignore the instruction.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 10/12/2021 14:27

We've been given the choice of going in or working from home. Some of us were badly affected by WFH in the past so I think that's why they're letting us choose.

Albgo · 10/12/2021 14:39

Yep.
I went onto the office yesterday to ask about arrangements for wfh as I work part time and share a computer with another colleague. Was told the whole office is ignoring the new rule and everyone will be in next week as normal.

TheRemotePart · 10/12/2021 14:48

DH a lot of his colleagues at same level are at home safe, and he’s in for some reason Angry
We’ve a little baby so we’ve been furious.
This week, after the third Covid colleague cased was “ hushed “ up , one of DH collegues flipped the lid and walked out the building.
Wish DH had followed him…

camperjam · 10/12/2021 14:53

Yes, I'll be in the office 2 days a week still even though I can work from home

niceupthedanceagain · 10/12/2021 14:58

We've been told we can carry on with all groups and meetings with service users as "they do not need to move online" 🧐

userxx · 10/12/2021 15:03

@PinkSparklyPussyCat

We've been given the choice of going in or working from home. Some of us were badly affected by WFH in the past so I think that's why they're letting us choose.
Good for them.

I'll be in the office as I have been throughout. Could think of nothing worse than WFH and local traders have suffered enough. I'll be in the pub every lunchtime showing my support :)

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 10/12/2021 15:11

I would imagine most companies are beyond sick of the bouncing in and out of WFH that has been happening. I would have thought that if the last week had made anything crystal clear, it’s that the government don’t really have a clue what they are doing in any aspect of their job. Why they think we should listen to a single thing they now say is anyone’s guess.

MilduraS · 10/12/2021 15:12

It's being ignored here too. We worked from home March to September last year but apparently that doesn't prove we can work from home because we have a customer-facing role and need to be available. My allocated "customers" don't actually live anywhere near here and didn't drop into the office pre-covid 🤷🏻‍♀️

I don't mind too much because I'm young (ish), healthy and vaccinated. My personal preference is a mix in the office and home. I feel sorry for the people with a reason to worry who haven't been given the choice though.

Original poster
Squashpocket · 10/12/2021 15:19

I'm also youngish, healthy and double vaccinated. I also have 2 small children who have both received close contact notifications in the last week.

My boss is in her 60s and you would think that she would be more keen to avoid contact with me tbh😂

OP posts:
AltitudeCheck · 10/12/2021 15:23

Yes, ignored here too and I work for an NHS affiliated company! Not even government departments are listening to BoJo these days!

Stressymcstress · 10/12/2021 15:25

It’s “guidance” is it not? Your boss, who employed you to work based in an office is well within their rights to expect you to fulfil you’re contact as intended.

If your unwillingness to go into the office is based on the increased numbers of the new variant you should also consider the fact that no one has died because of this variant, all scientific evidence is pointing towards it being a more mild variant and therefore less of a risk to individuals who catch it.

Geminijust · 10/12/2021 15:27

Unlike most of my colleagues, my job can be pretty much done from homeI and I did wfh for most of last year. I found it isolating and hated not having a division between work & home. I was worried I'd be sent home again and said as much to my boss who said "don't be silly" to my relief. I work a 5 minute drive from home so not using public transport and sit in my own corner so don't see an issue with my being there.

onlychildhamster · 10/12/2021 15:28

I am still going in once a week. Cos there are some paperwork aspects of my job. I wfh for over a year and a half before coming back into the office recently.

Basically the office isn't closed so everyone who wants to go in can go in.

MrsPussinBoots · 10/12/2021 15:31

Office closing for Xmas 17th Dec, work from home after that. We've got no client meetings booked for next week but boss wants us in anyway, just in case.

userxx · 10/12/2021 15:41

@Squashpocket

I'm also youngish, healthy and double vaccinated. I also have 2 small children who have both received close contact notifications in the last week.

My boss is in her 60s and you would think that she would be more keen to avoid contact with me tbh😂

Why would she be bothered in her 60's ? She's not 105 !!
Motheroftigers · 10/12/2021 15:49

I think the WFH novelty has worn off.

I know in my DH office quite a few people were talking the piss, got depressed or struggled to get motivated.

There was actually a thread on here a short while ago with WFH employees talking about how unmotivated they were and procrastinating a lot.

I knew it wouldn't last forever.

Original poster
Squashpocket · 10/12/2021 16:02

@Stressymcstress

Ah, I actually prefer to work from the office, but I assumed that we would be following the guidance from HR. Apparently not! I thought that was an interesting response.

OP posts:
Original poster
Squashpocket · 10/12/2021 16:06

@userxx well no, but COVID is undeniably more of an issue the older you get.

OP posts:
Fuckinellitsme · 10/12/2021 16:12

DH's office went back to wfh as soon as the guidance to do so broke. They've only been in one or two days a week anyway, and only since September, so it's not a huge leap. DH never went back at all - I'm CEV and staff who are vulnerable or have vulnerable family at home weren't required to go back. His bosses have been brilliant, actually.

@Stressymcstress nobody has died from the new variant yet. It was only identified a couple of weeks ago and infections take a while to translate into deaths. It's also more transmissible, which means more people will be infected, some of whom will become very ill. It's too early to tell what's going to happen with it - given the shitshow thus far, surely it makes sense to be a little bit cautious? Some members of staff may be vulnerable, or have loved ones at home who are.

Gonnagetgoing · 10/12/2021 16:28

I'd say I'm following the government guidelines and will be WFH (I have done throughout this pandemic anyway).

Gonnagetgoing · 10/12/2021 16:31

@Motheroftigers

I think the WFH novelty has worn off.

I know in my DH office quite a few people were talking the piss, got depressed or struggled to get motivated.

There was actually a thread on here a short while ago with WFH employees talking about how unmotivated they were and procrastinating a lot.

I knew it wouldn't last forever.

in answer to your points:-
  • taking the piss - yes of course some will do that. I'm far more productive at home TBH.
  • depressed - yes as everyone can do at home or in the office, certainly not seeing anyone in the office is having a bad effect on me.
  • struggle to get motivated - sure - most do whether in or out of the office but have discussed with my boss and colleagues, e.g. best times to work, motivation and it helps.
whereisthekey · 10/12/2021 16:42

our office have said its "work home home if possible" and they think it's not possible to give 100% customer service if everyone is at home.
(I'm not customer facing at all)

therefore we have to be in. ... Hmm

immersivereader · 10/12/2021 16:45

I think the WFH novelty has worn off.

^

It's hasn't. Believe me. It's here to stay.

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