Working From Home Megathread

I’m starting a new job soon and from the start I wanted to work from home. It wasn’t something that was advertised as an option but I said if they wanted me they had to let me work from home, especially since I moved out of Dublin. They said they’d let me WFH as much as possible but to come in once or twice a month to meet with clients which is totally fair.

My current employer wanted us back 4 days a week when guidelines lift and that was an absolute dealbreaker.

Man that drinks is going to taste sweet! Enjoy your new life.

My place are still as dogmatic as ever about returning. I know I've had it pretty sweet in comparison to plenty of workers but still grinds my gears that they're not budging.

Dusting off the CV instead of the covid cert!

I'm still unclear. Does this mean in the UK, they're not forcing staff back ,just encouraging them?

That’s absolutely grim. Me working from home saves the company money, allows them to potentially downsize, cut electricity costs, and useless stuff like ping pong tables.

My wage is very much still a ‘Dublin wage’ and I’d scoff if they tried to cut it down just because I’m on the other side of the country.

It also exposes the company to some risks that they don't face if you're in a controlled office environment.

Bottom line though, labour markets are about supply and demand.

All that vaccination request will be is to ensure that they don't have people not vaccinated in the office so a choice of not taking a vaccine will just mean the emoyer prefers you to continue to wfh. With 90% of workers vaccinated anyway its a bit of a moot point to be honest.

It's been announced today that our office is reopening on 23rd August. It will be a hot desk situation with 2m social distancing and desks needing to be booked in advance. Formal instructions haven't come out yet so assuming it's optional so far.

We're a US MNC but I'm v surprised and disappointed at how soon this is, as there's v likely to be unofficial pressure for us to go in as much as possible. Employees are being 'encouraged' to get vaccinated but that's the only mention of vaccine status. We have to wear masks when moving around but can take them off at the desk.

Wish I worked for a company that wasn't even suggesting this until next year.... 😕

More companies in the US are pushing back return to office plans and making vaccination status declarations mandatory when they do reopen ...

I lost my one WFH day when the HSE Cyberattack happened, and unsurprisingly, it hasn't come back yet. No idea from management when or even if it will, IT are calling the shots apparently.

I heard they will bring it back to some extent but will severely restrict who they grant it to. Management will love that as they will just say "no" and force you into the workplace.

I knew it was too good to last.

Linkedin another company that has let their employees work remotely or in the office, if they choose.

Can't say I see offices opening up properly this year, and if they do, the number that will go back will be very minimal.

The more I think about it the more I think it would be irresponsible for the government to allow offices to reopen in September.

[Schools reopening including un-vaccinated primary schools] + [colleges reopening] + [offices reopening] + [Delta wave] + [waning from Pfizer vaccines 6 months+ prior] + [breakthrough infections] + [more indoor activities due to weather] = what could go wrong?!

Take one thing out of the equation. Leave offices until October. Very few people will care. Leave September as the month to focus on schools, colleges and hopefully the tail end of the Delta wave. If September goes smoothly, then reopen offices in October. If it doesn't, then wait until after Winter.

and once company realizes someone in 3rd world country could do same job for 1/5th the cost, and that would be a real saver. not a risk for small local companies, but plenty examples where large multinationals do it every day.