Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

WHAT DO I DO????

40 replies

spitfirelikeadragon · 16/10/2025 13:22

Hi everyone,

Yesterday, IT contacted me out of the blue to say my laptop needs to be replaced because they’ve noticed some issues with it. We communicated this morning too, and they confirmed it will be replaced tomorrow.

Coincidentally, when I started work this morning, the laptop started acting up — running really slow, and one particular task I need to do has become almost impossible. I’ve been trying my best and have kept IT updated.

I messaged my manager to let her know the issue and that I’m working with IT to fix it. She replied at 12:34 saying that if it’s not sorted, she wants me in the office by 1pm. I told her I can’t make it by then and that I’m still liaising with IT. She then replied telling me to take my lunch break and come in the afternoon.

I’m annoyed because it feels like she thinks I’m at home not working, when in reality I’m stressed and frustrated trying to sort this out. If I go to the office and the laptop still doesn’t work, what exactly am I supposed to do there — make tea and sit around? It just feels pointless and a bit unfair.

OP posts:
Motheranddaughter · 16/10/2025 13:24

I think you should go into the Office asap

flipent · 16/10/2025 13:25

What's the issue with going into the office?

anniegun · 16/10/2025 13:26

Just do what your manager has told you. Thats how it works

PangolinPan · 16/10/2025 13:26

Is there a machine in the office you can use? What difference does being in make to you being able to work?

Overthebow · 16/10/2025 13:27

That’s how it works at lots of companies, if you are having IT issues and cannot work from home properly you go into the office. It’s not an unreasonable request from your manager.

DiscoBob · 16/10/2025 13:29

Presumably they have other computers in the office you could log into? Or she can just issue you a new laptop and then you can leave?

It's not unreasonable for her to try and sort it from her end and that involves your physical presence. To either work on another machine or simply pick up new laptop.

McSpoot · 16/10/2025 13:30

Not an unreasonable request to come into the office when equipment isn’t working and you cannot work at home.

Chick981 · 16/10/2025 13:31

What do you do? You go to the office!!

Original poster
spitfirelikeadragon · 16/10/2025 13:33

There is not equipment to use at work.

OP posts:
Original poster
spitfirelikeadragon · 16/10/2025 13:36

Also in our team we have to work 2 days from the office and tomorrow is to be my 2 day from the office and when I will also be picking up the laptop if I go today, I will tell manager that I won’t be at the office all day tomorrow probably pick up laptop and leave office early

OP posts:
Friendlygingercat · 16/10/2025 13:37

If there is no equipment at the office you can use then I would take your time going in. Are you on a remote contract? If so count the time you spend travelling in as "work" time as its not your fault the laptop has issues.

Chick981 · 16/10/2025 13:37

That’s not how it works OP. I can see why she’s asked you to go in.

Algen · 16/10/2025 13:38

How easy is it for you to get to the office? On the one hand it’s not an unreasonable request. However, if my manager asked me to come in unplanned for an afternoon it simply wouldn’t be possible - there’s literally no parking at the station after 9am and no viable alternatives, so it’s go in in the morning or nothing.

Cowprintplease · 16/10/2025 13:39

How far are you from the office? I'm an hour and if no way I'd be going in in the same circs

Mulledjuice · 16/10/2025 13:39

spitfirelikeadragon · 16/10/2025 13:36

Also in our team we have to work 2 days from the office and tomorrow is to be my 2 day from the office and when I will also be picking up the laptop if I go today, I will tell manager that I won’t be at the office all day tomorrow probably pick up laptop and leave office early

Why are you making such a big deal of it?

Overthebow · 16/10/2025 13:40

spitfirelikeadragon · 16/10/2025 13:36

Also in our team we have to work 2 days from the office and tomorrow is to be my 2 day from the office and when I will also be picking up the laptop if I go today, I will tell manager that I won’t be at the office all day tomorrow probably pick up laptop and leave office early

Surely this isn’t the attitude to have? Just go today, then go tomorrow like you were going to. An extra half day in the office because of IT issues isn’t a big deal.

Maddy70 · 16/10/2025 13:40

You go into the office !

Original poster
spitfirelikeadragon · 16/10/2025 13:41

Today is the day I work from home and I told her at 12:57 that I am going to lunch and I do normally take an hour break now it is 1:40 I am being asked what I am working on and I am not back from lunch yet🙄

OP posts:
ChaChaChaChanges · 16/10/2025 13:41

Woah! What a terrible attitude.

AlanJohnsonsBeemer · 16/10/2025 13:51

How far away do you live from the office? Do you have a school run to do or something to prevent you going in?

I always try and show willing for things are not a big deal because then when I am not willing or able to do something I am not already viewed as a pain in the arse by my employers.

Original poster
spitfirelikeadragon · 16/10/2025 13:51

@Overthebow it is not a big deal but then they are fund of doing this to us. Ordinarily I won’t mind but it’s now a norm to order people into office on Occassions like this or a day before

OP posts:
HowDoYouSolveAProblemLikeMyRear · 16/10/2025 13:52

Whether it's a reasonable request or not depends partly on information we don't have.

If OP has a 2.5h commute to the office, it surely won't be worth it.

If she always collects her child from down the road 15 minutes after finishing work, and has no one else who can help, then she can't go into the office with zero notice.

And if, as she says, there's no equipment in the office for her, then what's the point. The inadequacy of the laptop is, after all, the employer's fault.

Original poster
spitfirelikeadragon · 16/10/2025 13:55

Again about 30 mins before told to come to the office, I called my had engineer who said he will come by 3:30 and I said I will be home but now I have to go to office and I can’t tell them now I am expecting an engineer I know they will say I am making excuses

OP posts:
Overthebow · 16/10/2025 13:56

spitfirelikeadragon · 16/10/2025 13:51

@Overthebow it is not a big deal but then they are fund of doing this to us. Ordinarily I won’t mind but it’s now a norm to order people into office on Occassions like this or a day before

Well yes, they are your employer and pay you, they can request you go into the office, or another location as long as it’s a reasonable request. A days notice, or requesting when you’re having IT issues isn’t really unreasonable. If there’s a good reason why you can’t go in then explain that to your manager, otherwise just go in like they’ve asked.

Jellybunny56 · 16/10/2025 13:59

No idea what the issue is. Laptop not working, employer wants you in, so off you go. It’s only an issue if you were sitting doing nothing and enjoying some fully paid down time!