WFH - how has it been for you?
Discussion
Aimed specifically at those who have been WFH by virtue of the pandemic.
Me?
Awful.
I'm fortunate to have a full room converted to both an office and a gym, with a full size desk, proper chair, etc etc.
but I hate it. Awful way to live, imo - I liked being out and about, and I enjoyed my walk back and forth from the village station, the short walk to my office, and just generally being out and about.
Perhaps my perception of WFH has been skewed by lockdown, but even in the summer of last year, when restrictions were released to an extent, I was still desperate to get back to the office. Interestingly, the vast majority of my office-based colleagues absolutely love WFH, and will be actively seeking home working contracts.
I've been saving money, but the saving isn't worth the negative aspects, for me.
So, how has it been for you?
Me?
Awful.
I'm fortunate to have a full room converted to both an office and a gym, with a full size desk, proper chair, etc etc.
but I hate it. Awful way to live, imo - I liked being out and about, and I enjoyed my walk back and forth from the village station, the short walk to my office, and just generally being out and about.
Perhaps my perception of WFH has been skewed by lockdown, but even in the summer of last year, when restrictions were released to an extent, I was still desperate to get back to the office. Interestingly, the vast majority of my office-based colleagues absolutely love WFH, and will be actively seeking home working contracts.
I've been saving money, but the saving isn't worth the negative aspects, for me.
So, how has it been for you?
I was given a laptop on the 18/03/2020 and asked to WFH for a couple of weeks, not been back into the office since 
It’s all a bit mixed, I like WFH, I worked flexible hours before so at the moment I’m done at around 16:15, no commute. In the summer it was really nice to be straight in the back garden.
I’ve got a small gym set up at home as well and taken lockdown as a chance to really focus on fitness, dropped 2st so far.
The hardest bit is not being able to easily socialise with colleagues, no unplanned chats, quick drink after work, team nights out etc
Socialising was a fairly big part of work and I miss it.
After all this is done it seems WFH is likely to be permanent for those who want it, as long as I can pop into the office once a week and have nights out i’ll be looking to stick with WFH.
On a side note, there really needs to be some attention on Mental health lockdown causes. Previously I was a sort of “Suck it up and work through it” but i’ve seen some typically strong sociable colleagues really suffer with the lack of interaction, myself too on a couple of occasions.
It’s all a bit mixed, I like WFH, I worked flexible hours before so at the moment I’m done at around 16:15, no commute. In the summer it was really nice to be straight in the back garden.
I’ve got a small gym set up at home as well and taken lockdown as a chance to really focus on fitness, dropped 2st so far.
The hardest bit is not being able to easily socialise with colleagues, no unplanned chats, quick drink after work, team nights out etc
Socialising was a fairly big part of work and I miss it.
After all this is done it seems WFH is likely to be permanent for those who want it, as long as I can pop into the office once a week and have nights out i’ll be looking to stick with WFH.
On a side note, there really needs to be some attention on Mental health lockdown causes. Previously I was a sort of “Suck it up and work through it” but i’ve seen some typically strong sociable colleagues really suffer with the lack of interaction, myself too on a couple of occasions.
The one and only thing I miss about working in the office in the City is the vast variety of lunch possibilities. Whichever direction you walk, there's literally the flavours of the world available for a fiver.
The commute, the endless chatter from too-loud colleagues, the cramped desks, being made to wear a proper shirt, smart trousers and smart shoes, the 'presenteeism', all that can get stuffed.
I am looking forward to the end of home schooling though. Then proper peaceful WFH can start again.
The commute, the endless chatter from too-loud colleagues, the cramped desks, being made to wear a proper shirt, smart trousers and smart shoes, the 'presenteeism', all that can get stuffed.
I am looking forward to the end of home schooling though. Then proper peaceful WFH can start again.
I hate it. The sooner I can return to the office one day and see my work friends/colleagues the better. I live on my own so I knew deep down at the beginning of this that i'd never like it and i've proved myself right. I can see how it works for a lot of people though and certainly can see the positives for some.
I just really miss having a laugh, hearing peoples funny stories etc. Every day at the moment is exactly the same and I'm starting to slowly go off my head. Laptop open, Teams calls, emails, blah blah blah every day!
In the grand scheme of things though I cant moan too much as there are folk out there in a much worse position than myself.
I just really miss having a laugh, hearing peoples funny stories etc. Every day at the moment is exactly the same and I'm starting to slowly go off my head. Laptop open, Teams calls, emails, blah blah blah every day!
In the grand scheme of things though I cant moan too much as there are folk out there in a much worse position than myself.
Love it and don't want to go back. My work hasn't really been affected, in fact in a lot of cases I would suggest far more efficient (no travelling to meetings, no distractions etc)
Main benefit to me is time. I spend 2 hours a day in my car (1 hour commute each way). I know a lot of people do much more, but I wouldnt want to do more than an hour! I love having the time back and have put the extra time to good use. I have been physically more active, and when necessary put in longer hours at work.
I genuinely hope that it can continue with work in the office 1 day per week, would suit me just fine.
Main benefit to me is time. I spend 2 hours a day in my car (1 hour commute each way). I know a lot of people do much more, but I wouldnt want to do more than an hour! I love having the time back and have put the extra time to good use. I have been physically more active, and when necessary put in longer hours at work.
I genuinely hope that it can continue with work in the office 1 day per week, would suit me just fine.
Hated it - did it for lockdown 1 because I was told to but hated every min of it - home/work life became totally blurred
I've always worked more hours than I am paid for because I like it but when I leave work I switch off
WFH was horrific for me as I could not switch off
Handed my notice in as I no longer enjoyed work - was persuaded to stay and was allowed back on site
Lockdown 2 continued to work normally
Lockdown 3 was asked to work from home again and I said you want me to resign again?
Agreed 1 day a week WFH and to be honest I hate that day
I'm happy for the people that love it - I'm just not one of them
I've always worked more hours than I am paid for because I like it but when I leave work I switch off
WFH was horrific for me as I could not switch off
Handed my notice in as I no longer enjoyed work - was persuaded to stay and was allowed back on site
Lockdown 2 continued to work normally
Lockdown 3 was asked to work from home again and I said you want me to resign again?
Agreed 1 day a week WFH and to be honest I hate that day
I'm happy for the people that love it - I'm just not one of them
Not without its challenges but with many benefits.
However compared with those genuinely suffering under loss of income, debt, large families in small houses with young children, those needing urgent medical procedures which have been delayed, increased domestic violence and horribly the likely increase in child abuse I have f
k all to moan about.
However compared with those genuinely suffering under loss of income, debt, large families in small houses with young children, those needing urgent medical procedures which have been delayed, increased domestic violence and horribly the likely increase in child abuse I have f
k all to moan about. I really wonder what the working landscape will be in the future when this all settles down going forward. Will it be a 'Them and Us' attitude that develops between the persons that are WFH and those that go into the workplace. I can potentially see a scenario where persons that are happy to WFH start to feel like they are missing out and feeling marginalised when more and more return to the office if thats how it plays out (it may not though). Will promotions be given to the staff that are more visible for example versus some that might appear a little less visible WFH. Interesting times.
TheJimi said:
I liked being out and about, and I enjoyed my walk back and forth from the village station, the short walk to my office, and just generally being out and about.
I think this is one element I struggled with initially as I wasn't going outside most days. It was get up, start work, sit at the desk all day, work much longer hours than I'm getting paid for, go to sleep. I've tried to make the day more structured now, going outside for a walk or bike ride every day, finishing work at the normal time etc. It has made WFH much better and has been better for my health. Just because you're not catching a train doesn't mean you can't have a walk to the station? Or a wander about at lunchtime? I miss some of the human contact but there are many aspects of office life that I'm glad to be away from and I think I'd struggle to be back in an office environment now.
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