My friend who also WFH wants us to work alongside one another

[Lorelai007]

I recently made a new friend with another mum who, like me, also works from home while she sends her DD to nursery. We've socialised a couple times, and I enjoy her company, but she's just asked me if I would be interested in working alongside one another on weekdays to create more of an office environment. I'm really not too keen on this idea, since I like coming back to my own home after dropping DS off at nursery, then I clean and do laundry while listening to a podcast, relax with a coffee on my balcony, then I stick my headphones on and do some work in between cooking and other household chores. Sometimes if I'm really tired I have an afternoon nap, or even a small glass of wine while reading my book before it's time to go and collect DS. I'm a bit of an introvert and during the week I like to be in my own space without interruption, it's how I recharge after spending all evening and morning and the weekend taking care of my active 3 year old son. I told my husband my reasons for not wanting to hang out with my friend on weekdays, and preferring to stay home alone, and he just laughed and jokingly said how I hate other people. This isn't true, I just can't function being in someone else's company for an entire day and then having to entertain my DS. I don't want to jeopardise my friendship, but I have no idea how to politely decline her suggestion. Also, we have completely different jobs and I need two monitors to work, plus my office is too small to accommodate the both of us.

You don't need to explain why. You just don't want to and I wouldn't either. Some people prefer co-working as they find it motivating. Just tell her you're not one of those people and you need to be flexible with your time as you've got errands to run etc.

"I'm sorry but my office is too small and it really doesn't work for me, I am more productive on my own with no distractions."

Sorted.

It also sounds like you don't actually work that many hours, so wouldn't be compatible with her hours anyway.

OnlyFans?

🤣🤣it would explain why the op doesn't want to share their office.

There's clearly a niche porn interest in women drinking coffee, drinking wine mid-afternoon while pretending to read a book, and pretending to be at work.

I love your definition of WFH. I don’t know what your job is, but can I have it?

Just say the company doesn’t want you in a room with anyone who doesn’t also work for them. Are you in a creative job?

Are you sure you work from home? Just be honest and say you were mistaken.

My job wouldn't like this anyway. They would think of data breaches and confidentially with the other person seeing what I am doing and listening in to call x

I'm a lot like you, I like to be in my own space to do my own thing while I'm home alone working during the day (altho no drinking or napping for me lol). I'm very introverted. However I wouldn't mind doing something like this once a week/every other week, just to get some social time in and a change of scenery.

I work from home.

Occasionally on a Thursday (date night) or Friday I have a glass of wine at four because I knock off at about four or half four.

Just say no.
But it sounds as if you do hardly any work, between podcasts, coffee on balcony, reading and glass of wine, and that wasn’t everything on your list.
I’m only jealous!

Yes. Why are you reading books and drinking when you should be working?

I want your job.......

In summer I could enjoy a glass of wine at 4pm before the sun leaves the garden! Sadly I'm usually picking up kids from after school clubs, but otherwise, why not......?

Afternoon wine is totally normally in so many countries.

Shes hardly shooting up ffs.

It sounds more like retirement than employment!

Bullshit klaxon

Yeah, I love it! Puts a spring in my step and motivates me more than an empty house. Always surprised more people don't do it (or maybe we all just keep it quiet!).

No wonder so many businesses want people back in the office. I really hope you are lying about how little you do (and you aren't public sector).

I thought this. From what the OP has said in her opening post, (and subsequent ones,) and from what I know about a few other people who work from home, it's hardly surprising that many employers are now insisting their workers come back to the office. What on earth is your job @Lorelai007 ?

“I don't want to jeopardise my friendship, but I have no idea how to politely decline her suggestion.”

You are not obliged to ‘politely decline’. If she’s a friend she’ll just accept an honest answer. Why do people tie themselves in knots about politeness instead of what is actually realistic? 🙄

Not when you're 'at work' ffs.

You don't sound like you do much work. I think this is the reason many people are pushed back into the office when it doesn't work for them, because of people who take advantage..

This bullshit’s so potent I’m suffocating on the methane from here

Do all the “OMG you do other things when you work from home!!!” posters have very predictable, structured workloads? I don’t. Sometimes it’s manic; sometimes it’s dead. If it’s dead, then yes, I will put a wash on or do some ironing. Why wouldn’t you?

Of course I couldn’t do that in the office, but that’s not really relevant. I’m not in the office. Your employers pay for your availability, not constant typing even if you have nothing to do.