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Forced to work from home

Padre_Pio

Just got word today that work is downsizing their offices and the COVID work from home policy is going to be a near-permanent WHF policy.

Basically, the new office will only have hot desks, maybe half as many as there are staff. Employees have to book a desk in advance if they need to come into the office, but your permanent desk is expected to be in your own home.

There's uproar from certain people, but the response is basically put up and shut up.
Personally, there's no mention of home working in my contract. I was looking forward to getting back into the office and I barely have the space for a desk where I'm living at the moment, never mind a full setup.

Anyone have any experience of this? Places like Google and Facebook have said they're looking at similar policies. Any ideas how that went down with staff?

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maestroamado

Deleted User wrote: »

There's a skill to avoiding confrontation and infractions on boards. It involves identifying who they are and then disengaging.

Have a nice day.

For me there is nothing skillfull about being on A Forum and refusing to grasp the nettle when there are opposing opinions.
For me the skill would be to discuss the topic and agree or disagree, the important thing is about being open.
Most of the people i hold in high regard i disagree with on some things.
That's called life...

whippet

Ger Roe wrote: »

No officially waived, but certainly ignored by most. Very few companies gave a thought as to how their employees were managing with their non 'office' spaces. This was particularly true of the lauded success of remote learning. Secondary level kids were confined to their bedrooms for up to 10 hours a day (class and homework/study) without a thought for how they were doing it - some were working off phones without desk space, others in totally unsuitable seating and desk spaces, most resentful of the fact that their home was being invaded by school.

Personally, I have been working from home since March 2020 and I still resent the fact that what was a spare bedroom is now my office. I don't want to donate part of my limited living space to my employer on a rent free basis (any basis really) and I need the separation of work and life that the formal office situation gives.

I hate the feeling of having a tough day at the office (now bedroom) and essentially still being at the office when I supposedly clock off. I don't want reminders of my work commitments being left around the house constantly.

It may seem like an advantage for most now... but wait and see what the long term mental effects might be when it becomes harder to switch off - nothing worse that being under work pressures in your own home.

Ah come on - that is some over dramatic interpretation of the last year !!

The vast majority of people work from a laptop and a note book - close the laptop and the office is closed !!! What reminders are you seeing of your work day that you don’t normally see ?

[Deleted User]

El Tarangu wrote: »

I would be interested in learning of any real-life instances of PAYE employees having successfully claimed for any of the above.

I know someone who did. They encouraged me to do the same, but I never got around to it.

ineedeuro

El Tarangu wrote: »

I would be interested in learning of any real-life instances of PAYE employees having successfully claimed for any of the above.

I have.

Cyrus

El Tarangu wrote: »

I would be interested in learning of any real-life instances of PAYE employees having successfully claimed for any of the above.

its very easy on the online portal, the amounts you can claim are tiny though, its just about worth the hassle.

[Deleted User]

maestroamado wrote: »

For me there is nothing skillfull about being on A Forum and refusing to grasp the nettle when there are opposing opinions.
For me the skill would be to discuss the topic and agree or disagree, the important thing is about being open.
Most of the people i hold in high regard i disagree with on some things.
That's called life...

When a poster ever puts words in my mouth, I disengage immediately. To me, it suggests either bad intentions or that they're getting emotional and reaching for things that aren't there.

I have no time for either because engaging with someone in that state usually means a pointless argument.

I appreciate your concern.

whippet

I can’t imagine the public sector unions will conspire to make it an unworkable situation for their members - which will be a shame.

ineedeuro

Cyrus wrote: »

its very easy on the online portal, the amounts you can claim are tiny though, its just about worth the hassle.

I done up a spreadsheet, it took about 10 mins, then submitted using online tool. They did ask for a letter from employer to confirm they are not paying for BB etc but our HR had already provided so I just attach

[Deleted User]

whippet wrote: »

I can’t imagine the public sector unions will conspire to make it an unworkable situation for their members - which will be a shame.

As in it will or wont happen?

In any case, most roles look to have the option of 3/2 at a minimum unless there's a case against it, which will be open to appeal

GreeBo

Deleted User wrote: »

Yeah, it's actually remarkably easy to work remotely and effectively when you actually try. There's no sense in clinging on to the past. The times they are a changing.

Unless you are a graduate, but we dont talk about them now.

[Deleted User]

GreeBo wrote: »

Unless you are a graduate, but we dont talk about them now.

As I've already stated, we have recruited graduates and integrated them successfully. This really isn't difficult.

Responder XY

I despise the idea of working from home full time in the long term. It's a horrible experience. I get that it suits some people personally and that there will be days it really does make sense to work from home and get through volume, but I really don't get that people think that they are more productive overall from a work perspective being at home. Most work is collaborative in nature in my experience. I can clearly see that things are taking far longer to get done and getting done less well a year into work from home.
Worryingly for me as a team leader, the people who are slipping most in terms of quality seem to be the ones who think they work best from home.

There is a space for work from home for those who want it for some of the time. But regular office attendance I think is crucial for productivity and WFH should be an option for a few days a week for those who want it and never a requirement.

Edit; also on graduates, I have lots of graduates in my team. The mind boggles to think someone believes they can be integrated as well remotely. I bend over backwards to do my best, but it's not as good of an experience. I have so much sympathy for that generation - the long term consequences for them of the past year will be horrific.

[Deleted User]

Responder XY wrote: »

I despise the idea of working from home full time in the long term. It's a horrible experience. I get that it suits some people personally and that there will be days it really does make sense to work from home and get through volume, but I really don't get that people think that they are more productive overall from a work perspective being at home. Most work is collaborative in nature in my experience. I can clearly see that things are taking far longer to get done and getting done less well a year into work from home.
Worryingly for me as a team leader, the people who are slipping most in terms of quality seem to be the ones who think they work best from home.

There is a space for work from home for those who want it for some of the time. But regular office attendance I think is crucial for productivity and WFH should be an option for a few days a week for those who want it and never a requirement.

My team and my department have experienced the opposite of what you described.

I guess it must be sector specific. Or something else.

in2dark

Padre_Pio wrote: »

Just got word today that work is downsizing their offices and the COVID work from home policy is going to be a near-permanent WHF policy.

Basically, the new office will only have hot desks, maybe half as many as there are staff. Employees have to book a desk in advance if they need to come into the office, but your permanent desk is expected to be in your own home.

There's uproar from certain people, but the response is basically put up and shut up.
Personally, there's no mention of home working in my contract. I was looking forward to getting back into the office and I barely have the space for a desk where I'm living at the moment, never mind a full setup.

Anyone have any experience of this? Places like Google and Facebook have said they're looking at similar policies. Any ideas how that went down with staff?

Are they looking for staff where you work? I would love to he working permanently from home!

Padre_Pio

whippet wrote: »

Ah come on - that is some over dramatic interpretation of the last year !!

The vast majority of people work from a laptop and a note book - close the laptop and the office is closed !!! What reminders are you seeing of your work day that you don’t normally see ?

If your work is all on a laptop then nothing.
If your work requires more, like equipment, screens, files, storage requirements, then it's a lot.

Think right now there are thousands of square meters of office space in people's homes that employers are essentially getting for free.
Many people here have said that the savings on a commute are a benefit. Really, you're shifting that cost onto a need for an office area in your house.

We have new employees starting soon. I'm not going to be the one to tell them they need to rent a larger house as there's is no desk or permanent space for them.

Cyrus

Deleted User wrote: »

When a poster ever puts words in my mouth, I disengage immediately. To me, it suggests either bad intentions or that they're getting emotional and reaching for things that aren't there.

I have no time for either because engaging with someone in that state usually means a pointless argument.

I appreciate your concern.

if you gave your actual opinion on how you think graduates would be best served it would clear it all up to be honest.

it is a straighforward enough question.

lawred2

[Deleted User] wrote: »

There's a skill to avoiding confrontation and infractions on boards. It involves identifying who they are and then disengaging.

Have a nice day.

Ah here

I have to say I think you are inventing a confrontation a little bit..

maestroamado

Deleted User wrote: »

When a poster ever puts words in my mouth, I disengage immediately. To me, it suggests either bad intentions or that they're getting emotional and reaching for things that aren't there.

I have no time for either because engaging with someone in that state usually means a pointless argument.

I appreciate your concern.

I cannot comment on what you say as i have not being fallowing this as i have just passing interest. I do believe that there should be a payment for WFH based on the fact that there be saving on rent of office space.
Personally i get into discussions here and i never take any of it personal but unfortunately others do and the mods are too strict with the discussions in my opinion...

[Deleted User]

lawred2 wrote: »

Ah here

I have to say I think you are inventing a confrontation a little bit..

Ok.

[Deleted User]

maestroamado wrote: »

mods are too strict with the discussions in my opinion...

Yeah, I agree. Which is why I avoid certain situations, like above.

Cyrus

maestroamado wrote: »

I cannot comment on what you say as i have not being fallowing this as i have just passing interest. I do believe that there should be a payment for WFH based on the fact that there be saving on rent of office space.
Personally i get into discussions here and i never take any of it personal but unfortunately others do and the mods are too strict with the discussions in my opinion...

while the company will save at some stage due to less people being in the office i think its naive to hope that they will pass any of that saving to employees. And to be fair once your equipment is sorted the incremental costs you incur working form home arent that much i wouldnt have thought.

Cyrus

Deleted User wrote: »

Yeah, I agree. Which is why I avoid certain situations, like above.

if you are unable to engage with other posters without getting infracted then thats something you might need to address.

[Deleted User]

Cyrus wrote: »

if you are unable to engage with other posters without getting infracted then thats something you might need to address.

The fact that you keep responding to my posts, despite me disengaging only proves my point. You are only looking for a fight.

I'm blocking you.

newuser99999

[Deleted User] wrote: »

As I've already stated, we have recruited graduates and integrated them successfully. This really isn't difficult.

I can guarantee no graduate is enjoying WFH.

maestroamado

Deleted User wrote: »

Yeah, I agree. Which is why I avoid certain situations, like above.

Generally i do a week in solitary...

Cyrus

Deleted User wrote: »

The fact that you keep responding to my posts, despite me disengaging only proves my point. You are only looking for a fight.

I'm blocking you.

you continued to refer to me, if really wanted to disengage you would have moved on.

Its becoming more clear now why you prefer to wfh though.

[Deleted User]

newuser99999 wrote: »

I can guarantee no graduate is enjoying WFH.

Has a survey been performed that shows 100% of graduates don't enjoy it?

Surely there must be strong evidence to back your claim.

Ger Roe

whippet wrote: »

Ah come on - that is some over dramatic interpretation of the last year !!

The vast majority of people work from a laptop and a note book - close the laptop and the office is closed !!! What reminders are you seeing of your work day that you don’t normally see ?

Not over dramatic at all. It's my true experience. in my office I have health and safety dept making sure I am safe in my sitting and working environment - for the past year.... no one has even asked how I was managing.

Obviously your experience is different, and I am glad for you. In my job I still need access to paperwork and equipment that I have to have around me and above all, I want all of my living space in my home to be just that - living space. I didn't pay my mortgage to donate working space to my employer.

jakiah

As someone who has had flexible working for the last ten years or so in various roles Im amazed at the attitides to work from home, hotdesking etc. like it is a completely new thing. I would have thought flexible working was much more prevelant here? My current employer doesnt give a ****e where I am as long as I am delivering.

newuser99999

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Has a survey been performed that shows 100% of graduates don't enjoy it?

Surely there must be strong evidence to back your claim.

Well has there been a study carried out in your place of work that shows that they are? You seem like the type of boss who wouldn’t even be bothered asking.

I am talking about friends that I have spoken to and my own experience.