Is your company letting you work from home?

haydoyo · 12-03-2020 8:04pm #1

Just wondering are your office still forcing you into work, even if you can work perfectly from home?

Mr_Muffin · 12-03-2020 8:06pm

I've had the option since Monday, but only starting working from home today. The office is still open, but I doubt anyone will be in within the next week or 2.

Foweva Awone · 12-03-2020 8:08pm

I work for two private sector employers, it looks like I'll be mostly working from home in both jobs, but with the option to drop in and out of the office to collect files etc.

Kamu · 12-03-2020 8:08pm

No, the nature of my job makes it impossible to work from home as I need access to work systems.

haydoyo · 12-03-2020 8:08pm

Mr_Muffin wrote: »

I've had the option since Monday, but only starting working from home today. The office is still open, but I doubt anyone will be in within the next week or 2.

Same as. I know some companies arn't giving the option even though the infrastructure is in place.

12-03-2020 8:08pm

I can’t do my job from home. The ones that can, are.

Nicetrustedcup · 12-03-2020 9:00pm

Yap working from home, company closed office as well,

My job is like 50 / 50 as a lot of the stuff I need to do in the office and a lot of stuff I can do from home,

We where giveing no time frame of when we can return so I brought a monitor to work from home as I be killed otherwise

LolaJJ · 13-03-2020 12:07pm

We were all given laptops and set up on networks to facilitate us working from home but our boss thinks it's just like the flu and everyone is being hysterical so we all need to be here...in reality, we could all do our jobs from home

OMM 0000 · 13-03-2020 12:13pm

LolaJJ wrote: »

our boss thinks it's just like the flu and everyone is being hysterical

Flu R0 value: 1.3
Wuhan coronavirus R0 value: 2 - 2.5

Flu death rate: 0.1%
Wuhan coronavirus death rate: 2%

So it's about twice as contagious as the flu, and about 20 times more lethal.

Are some people being hysterical? Yes.

But it's only "like the flu" in the sense a hamburger patty is like an expensive steak. Both are beef, right?

LolaJJ · 13-03-2020 12:15pm

OMM 0000 wrote: »

Flu R0 value: 1.3
Wuhan coronavirus R0 value: 2 - 2.5

Flu death rate: 0.1%
Wuhan coronavirus death rate: 2%

So it's about twice as contagious as the flu, and about 20 times more lethal.

Are some people being hysterical? Yes.

But it's only "like the flu" in the sense a hamburger patty is like an expensive steak. Both are beef, right?

I would also like to add that I am in complete disagreement with my boss

icanmunch · 13-03-2020 12:17pm

A friends employer has given him two options: purchase more days off from the company in order to stay home or else take unpaid leave until business resumes. No option to work from office or home. Does anyone know if that’s above board?

ted1 · 13-03-2020 12:19pm

No official policy, just ensure remote access works.. Large state owned electricity company...

sarah88 · 13-03-2020 3:25pm

My job are choosing to ignore the HSE about working from home There is a large portion that can, without difficulty do their job from home.

They are completely refusing. Other then taking leave, or speaking with your employer (already done), are there any other options? Company is adament that they are depending soley on HSE for guidance but actively ignoring said guidance. Really concerned that we are being exposed unnecessarily,

loudymacloud · 13-03-2020 3:28pm

Our IT Unit are working hard to get as many of us set up with remote access so that we can work from home, i work in the Civil Service so there was never really a plan put in place for something like that.

Salary Negotiator · 13-03-2020 3:28pm

I didn’t ask, I just emailed my boss and said I was following the government’s request and would be working from home.

She said she’d be doing the same and we’d reevaluate at the end of the month.

My job could be done from anywhere though so no need for me to physically be in the office. Some of my colleagues will be in the office now unfortunately.

Tzardine · 13-03-2020 3:29pm

Finishing up today for at least two weeks. Public service.

Other than responding to occasional emails no work to do. My job really requires me to be on-site.

ednwireland · 13-03-2020 3:29pm

our uk head office has cancelled all customer meetings, any customer site visits, we will be open on monday to sort out the last few who dont have laptops after that i suspect it will be working from home only

any one with kids was told they could work from home yesterday

we are a software company !

ELM327 · 13-03-2020 3:34pm

Can work from home, doing half work from home days at the moment, will transition to full WFH next week

bladespin · 13-03-2020 3:35pm

Sales, service and application support: we're being split into teams on a rotating roster, only 3 in the office at any one time, the others remote working, for some it's ok, for other roles not so much.

I do most of the customer site work which is currently discretionary, subject to risk assessment prior to visit, these have been reduced to necessity visits only.

NSAman · 13-03-2020 3:35pm

All staff in Europe were sent to work from home yesterday (we were working on a skeletan staff in office anyway)

Office will remain closed for one week at least, front desk staff being fully paid also. It is better to be safe than sorry. We made this decision after most of our international business partners cancelled/postponed items we were working on with them.

After one week, we shall evaluate the situation and continue on a week by week basis.

Staff are happier, there is nothing URGENT that cannot be done on-line and if it is then it will be dealt with from the US office.

In the US office, we have completely restricted access to the building. No one comes in or out without being checked in and hand washing etc..... some staff have been sent home to work. Front desk staff have been told to stay off work (fully paid) and only come in one week every 4 weeks.

I am absolutely amazed at the complete ignorance of many in the US at what they are facing here. They are listening blindly to what the CDC is saying, despite the CDC admitting not testing is a major issue. You cannot fix dumb I suppose.

lashes34 · 13-03-2020 4:31pm

Will be working from home from Monday. There are 200 in our office but not everyone is being given a laptop so it'll be up to them if they come in or not, annual leave can be used or unpaid leave.

loyatemu · 13-03-2020 4:55pm

working from home for the foreseeable - can do pretty much everything remotely, most of our systems are in the cloud now and we've had WFH options for years, as well as having tested the whole thing during the snowstorms a couple of years ago. Office is still open for anyone who wants to go in.

Zaph · 15-03-2020 6:26pm

Working from home for the next two weeks at least, and will reassess then. We need a minimum number of people in the office to be able to function, but anyone else who can work from home will be. My boss is aiming for a minimum of 80% (out of 60+) in our department to be at home. Those who will be in the office will be instructed to ensure that there is at least one empty desk between them and the next person, which won't be a problem with so many out.

Tom Mann Centuria · 15-03-2020 6:28pm

No, I'm a nurse who works in a hospital. I look good in yellow gowns, face mask and goggles though so it's all good.

august12 · 15-03-2020 6:46pm

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

No, I'm a nurse who works in a hospital. I look good in yellow gowns, face mask and goggles though so it's all good.

Just to say, thank you for the service you provide,

15-03-2020 7:00pm

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

No, I'm a nurse who works in a hospital. I look good in yellow gowns, face mask and goggles though so it's all good.

If you really are - thanks. And that’s not just for this situation.

ixoy · 15-03-2020 7:01pm

The government should issue a directive that, if you can work from home, your company *must* let you work from home. Too many companies still dithering on this.

Tom Mann Centuria · 15-03-2020 7:05pm

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

If you really are - thanks. And that’s not just for this situation.

Oh I am, and thanks are always appreciated but not necessary. We're all in it together, one way or another.

makemineawine · 15-03-2020 7:08pm

Am a public servant and had booked leave so out of office from mid last week until the 23rd. Heard nothing from my boss even though I would be able to work from home. Some divisions in my department have already facilitated people to work from home but as I said, I've had nothing yet - no email/text/phone call.

punisher5112 · 15-03-2020 7:08pm

As a bus driver I have no option but to go to work.
The only way this will change is if they completely pull the services but I think this is then going to cause a huge issue for staff in hospitals especially and care facilities etc

One thing I would like to see is the buses actually been cleaned properly and sanitised at least daily as this isn't done at all in Ireland that I'm aware of in any transport company.

15-03-2020 7:14pm

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

Oh I am, and thanks are always appreciated but not necessary. We're all in it together, one way or another.

I’ve been in a few times myself and never met a nurse that wasn’t a star, both from watching how much they have to do, to their manner, and to their care.

biko · 15-03-2020 7:21pm

Any company (all IT) I worked for the last 10+ years have been perfectly fine with me working from home when I think it's called for.
My current one said at the beginning of this crisis that they wouldn't block any WFH as long as deadlines were still being met.

Febreeze · 15-03-2020 7:36pm

I work in retail... So no working at home for me. A large store as well. Id be shocked if they said we had to close for one day, let alone 2 weeks. No idea what system they even have in place either for this virus but we all still have to go in

Addle · 15-03-2020 7:38pm

makemineawine wrote: »

Am a public servant and had booked leave so out of office from mid last week until the 23rd. Heard nothing from my boss even though I would be able to work from home. Some divisions in my department have already facilitated people to work from home but as I said, I've had nothing yet - no email/text/phone call.

Because you’re on leave. You could always contact your manager.

15-03-2020 7:43pm

Addle wrote: »

Because you’re on leave. You could always contact your manager.

Be best to just turn up as normal after your holidays. The way things are now it could be used as an excuse to get rid if they didn’t.

ShaneU · 15-03-2020 7:53pm

Febreeze wrote: »

I work in retail... So no working at home for me. A large store as well. Id be shocked if they said we had to close for one day, let alone 2 weeks. No idea what system they even have in place either for this virus but we all still have to go in

Retail here too, can't wait to put myself and family at risk so cretins customers can buy a year's worth of toilet roll and whiskey.

Febreeze · 15-03-2020 8:06pm

ShaneU wrote: »

Retail here too, can't wait to put myself and family at risk so cretins customers can buy a year's worth of toilet roll and whiskey.

Quote I've heard....

"we are trying to limit the amount of customers attending the shop"

Obviously I can't give too much details away but once a friend from work texted this to me about the situation, I had to laugh. Absolute joke. If shop tells us to stay at home, they have to pay. If most of the staff stay they want to stay at home, won't get paid BUT down staff. No one is winning and no one is keeping safe.

punisher5112 · 15-03-2020 8:21pm

Mr.S wrote: »

Not sure of your location, but judging by how empty the busses are in Dublin, I would surprised if they didn't start to have a reduced service soon.

db it was busy enough Thursday, Friday was very quiet.

Was off yesterday, one of the lads sent me a photo of him on 46a going into city, there was one other person on it, this bus would normally be very busy and it was like that all yesterday compared to a normal shift....

Deagol · 15-03-2020 8:27pm

I'm working for home as much as possible but as I work at customer sites, later this week I have to fly to Aberdeen via LHR from SNN and then go offshore to an oil rig for a few days. i'm half praying I get quarantined on the rig - I get extra salary offshore

Manach · 15-03-2020 8:27pm

We've been given the option from last Friday, where it is applicable to the work done. If it reduces the number of people to interact with and hence slow down the virus, a good step.

carltonleon · 15-03-2020 8:27pm

I work in IT and can do my job 100% from home with no drop in support for them services I support so I will be working from home. My wife has to go into the office so with schools off I need to be at home anyway it suits.

amadangomor · 15-03-2020 8:47pm

Was thinking of asking manager to do evenings.

Work in a multinational with lots of people around but a lot less in the evenings. Need to do practical work. Could do my job at any time as facilities are there to do it 24/7.

Was considering offering to do 2PM to 10PM shift

Enigma IE · 15-03-2020 9:41pm

Yes, working in an IT services company and primarily on one customer site. We will all be working from home now until 31st March - possibly beyond depending the situation. Obviously the customer had to approve, their own staff also working from home.

solidasarock · 15-03-2020 10:34pm

I work as a CO in a department in the civil service and No. Not unless I get infected or I need to be home if I had kids and need to mind them due to schools closing.

The official HR response is we are encouraged to work from home if we can but LOL only the higher grades are given work laptops that allow them to work from home so now all the senior staff will be "working from home" and everyone else has to drag themselves to the office to do the daily grind without unit leaders.

I understand the civil service isnt known for its fast acting, logical processes at times but it seems we have to wait until someone gets infected before they take it seriously.

OhHiMark · 15-03-2020 11:10pm

I'm off on annual leave until Wednesday but I'm lucky in that I can just work from home whenever I want. I generally don't do more than a day every week or two but I will be for the foreseeable future now. Especially with 2 people at home with asthma and and one with epilepsy. No idea if it affects people with epilepsy but I won't be taking any chances.

PhilOssophy · 16-03-2020 9:47am

Everyone who has been shouting about working from home, now has their best opportunity to prove that there is no drop in productivity connected with it.
You'll never get a better one to convince your employer! Use it.

16-03-2020 9:52am

I can yes, there's no real impediment to my productivity either beyond the distractions of being at home.

10-10-20 · 16-03-2020 9:56am

Timing is everything, but this isn't the perfect time for all WFH'ers to prove productivity.
WFH is a necessity for many at the moment, I'm here WFH with two older kids, but I know that I'll be ~25% less productive as I have to feed myself and them, sort out the rows and adjudicate on who gets the big TV next.
But right now, that's all-important for this battle.
'We cannot afford idleness, waste or inefficiency.', there's a significant uphill to climb.

listermint · 16-03-2020 9:57am

PhilOssophy wrote: »

Everyone who has been shouting about working from home, now has their best opportunity to prove that there is no drop in productivity connected with it.
You'll never get a better one to convince your employer! Use it.

Yeah ideal time .... Especially when you've no childcare.

What nonsense is this.

Reads like corporate waffle.

beauf · 16-03-2020 10:21am

#1 There will be a Global drop in productivity due to the pandemic.

#2 Unless you been tracking productivity for a long time already, you won't have any means to see a difference.

Akrasia · 16-03-2020 10:22am

PhilOssophy wrote: »

Everyone who has been shouting about working from home, now has their best opportunity to prove that there is no drop in productivity connected with it.
You'll never get a better one to convince your employer! Use it.

It’s a terrible opportunity because schools and childcare facilities are all shut down

Is your company letting you work from home?

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