Working From Home Megathread

I'm totally against going back, and people flocking back to pubs and clubs is an excellent reason to not return. I DO NOT miss the crappy, sniffly, sick and alcohol smelling gobshytes being around me. Nearly everything everyone says as a good reason to return is an excellent reason to not return imo!

The funny thing about

Your attitude is 1990's work culture. Once you get your work done what does it matter to employer?

is that in the 1990s, I was a worker making pretty much the same arguments that you are making now.

Since then, I've learned about the difference between contractors (paid to get tasks done as quickly as possible, then gotten rid of) and employees (expected to contribute to the overall success of the company, not just to be task-wombles).

I've learned that if someone doesn't have enough work to keep them busy, that's a management fault. A smart manager won't let that happen, because idle hands tend to cause trouble.

I've also learned that most employees are not highly motivated or focussed. Given 1/2 a chance, they regularly make mistakes, forget about deadlines, annoy people, etc. Sure there are some star-employees who aren't like that, who get the kid-glove treatment and very light-touch management. But they are the exception. Most employees need very clear goal setting, and regular guidance and follow-up. Some need performance improvement plans.

And, I've learned a bit about employment law. As a PAYE employee, my employer does, quite literally, own my time during contracted working hours. Some jobs, it's possible to be flexible when these hours are. But that opens risks about employees not taking proper breaks and getting stressed. And in lost of jobs, hours aren't flexible: Customers expect the office open during set hours. Employees expect Finance or IT or whoever to answer their call now, not later. etc.

As far as I can see the “hybrid” model is fake flexibility.

I’m hoping to stay fully remote - maybe go in to the Dublin office once per month. Or less if not required for work.

That’s true flexibility

I wish I was reading this headline this morning..." NPHET has advised the Cabinet that it supports almost all of Ireland’s Covid-19 restrictions being removed, with the exception of WFH guidance which it says should remain in place forever!!

if there is one kind of environment that most benefits from people being together its start up imo.

Iv already informed my company I won't be returning to the office ( in a non threatening way ) and there happy enough due to my performance and role in the company that doesnt require me on site.

You would wonder how any start ups managed to get going with the disadvantages they had from having a physical office.

i can only assume that you have never worked in that environment, wfh can suit larger organisations with defined roles and respsonsibilities, but most start ups couldnt be further from that.

some balance:

In summary, remote-only startups have a lot of tangible benefits. Once you get into the intangible side of a successful business, however, remote teams can be at a disadvantage. Make sure not to underestimate this, and if you go for a remote-only team try to account for this. For example, getting together for team-building as often as possible could be partial solution.

What does a gradual return to the workplace mean though a week ,2 weeks etc