Would you turn down a job if flexible working/WFH wasn't an option?

[Waferbiscuit]

I've just been offered a role in the sector I work in (arts/culture) and despite advertising that the organisation supports flexible working, was told that as a senior manager they'd expect me in full time with occasional WFH e.g. 1 day/every few weeks but depending on needs, so likely less frequently. Role also involves a lot of weekend and evenings for events.

I currently WFH 2 days, onsite 3 days. Was surprised at how much having to work onsite FT was a deal-breaker for me and despite it being an interesting job am inclined to turn it down.

Is being able to WFH a deal-breaker for you?

yes

I’ve wfh last 15 years - just taken a job full time hospital based and have three young kids but it interests me. I also think wfh can be quite lonely.

Yes

Yes

I want to say yes, and I’ve worked from home for the past six years… but I’m increasingly seeing more senior roles saying the same as you, that there is an expectation of regular presence on site, and so I think it’ll become a choice between progression/seniority and wanting to be at home.

In the end, progression will probably win, because I don’t want to stagnate.

No definately jot.

I think so, however I’m currently in the position where I could chose to be picky. If I couldn’t I would just suck it up but I would definitely be whinging.

Sorry, what that should be is yes, I would turn it down for that reason, it would be a dealbreaker for me.

Yes. I have been WFH since long before covid and have no desire to commute into London every day!

Depends where it was- family commitments etc- if you don't have kids under 12 or none at all- then it wouldn't bother me provided the salary was the level that made commuting make sense

I think senior roles especially should have an active presence.

I can't WFH as I work in a school - but if I was looking for full time, all year round jobs, I wouldn't accept one with no wfh. I have small dcs and wfh could work with them being in the house during holidays. My current job also works as I get holidays off. A full time office job wouldn't really work - I'd never see them!

Yes, I would turn it down.

Obviously there are some jobs that can't be done at all from home, but I wouldn't take any office-based job where WFH wasn't supported for at least a couple of days per week, and ideally more.

Even more so for jobs that expect weekend / evening work. Good work/life balance is essential and I would expect flexibility back from my employer in a role like that.

I have been fully remote since 2020 and wouldn't ever go into an office again although I'm happy to do once or twice a month. So yes, it's a deal breaker. But I can pick and choose so just say no if it's onsite or in the office more than very occasionally.

Well, if it was a five minute walk from home, all the people were lovely, it was warm with a great tea selection and free lunch, then no.

But as it is, my work is nearly two hours from home, costs me c£70 a day to get to, the people are horrid, there are never any desks or meeting rooms, so yeah. We do get free breakfast though and lunch once a month.

I'm never commuting full time again, I've made a vow to myself.

If you want the job, could you negotiate and get 1 day from home written into the contract? Just because they're stating what their ideal is doesn't mean they won't be flexible for the right candidate. Do you have the flexibility to come in later after evening events (quite important for your sanity/stamina if there are a lot of them)?

I've been WFH full time since 2015 and I wouldn't take a job that wanted me in the office more than 2 days a week. I recognise the need for regular face to face in many roles but open plan offices can be stressful and definitely reduce my efficiency.

Yes, actually - in these circumstances I'd take it too!

My nearest big city is London and I hate commuting there. Love London, hate the fucking commute. It would take a lot to get me there every day 🤢

It’s a deal breaker for me but then I have two small kids and a husband who works away a lot so WFH and flexibility are essential

Yes dealbreaker, I couldn’t imagine working in an office more than 2 days a week now, since COVID pandemic. The daily commute urrggghhh no, I’d turn it down.

No i’d be fine with it but conversely I wouldn’t apply for roles that are predominantly WFH as just not my thing. My kids are secondary age though and pretty independent.

WFH is a necessity for me. I’ve wfh full-time for 15 years and was wfh about half time for several years before that. Without it I would need significant disability accommodation and would likely still struggle. It’s a large reason I stay at my current job, despite the frustrations it brings .

Deal breaker for me as well. My pay and other benefits would need to increase by quite a bit before I'd consider it.

No. I've been back in the office since September 2020 and I much prefer it.

Yes definitely (assuming I wasn’t jobless and urgently needed a job).