Return to the office campaign...

[Boz33]

“I’m not going back to the office it’s too dangerous, there’s too many people in an enclosed space.”

Next sentence:

“Have you you used the eat out to help out yet? I’ve been 10 times, everywhere was packed, it was great”

NExt sentence,
my mental health is suffering because I’m isolated at home all the time etc etc

Ideal for the borderline alkies like. They can be pissed half the time and not worry about having to drive the next day

 

[SteveB]

if in peoples contracts it’s says office based the employees have no say at all,they say jump and we say how high.

I think wfh will be short term and we will gradually ease back into the old normal in the majority after xmas

People will move jobs to places where the working practices suits them.
Loads of companies will be offering a portion of the week at home Vs on office. My lot are .

 

[RedAndWhiteJeff]

People will move jobs to places where the working practices suits them.
Loads of companies will be offering a portion of the week at home Vs on office. My lot are .

Yes, there’s a plethora of jobs available

 

[box2box]

Is there much evidence that employers are asking people to return to attend an office and they are refusing / not happy with attending an office?

Will be interesting to see the detail of the gov campaign as adhering to the gov's own covid measures offices can only operate at much lower capacity. My office building had a capacity of around 5,000, current capacity is around 1,000.....

It's a bit weird when BJ etc is saying get back to the office when his own measures make that impossible.

 

[Chalks]

People will move jobs to places where the working practices suits them.
Loads of companies will be offering a portion of the week at home Vs on office. My lot are .

There’s no jobs around to move . We go back 3/2 next week, can’t wait .

 

[TopCat]

No chance.

Based on what? As soon as there is a vaccine the vast majority will be back in the office, if not sooner.

Is there much evidence that employers are asking people to return to attend an office and they are refusing / not happy with attending an office?

I'd be surprised if many people get away with this to be honest. Certainly once the threat of the virus has gone away - there will be no practical reasoning for an employee who previously worked in the office to then work from home.

 

[dangermows]

Based on what? As soon as there is a vaccine the vast majority will be back in the office, if not sooner.

I'd be surprised if many people get away with this to be honest. Certainly once the threat of the virus has gone away - there will be no practical reasoning for an employee who previously worked in the office to then work from home.

They won't. Its cost effective to not. And if productivity hasn't dipped even more reason.

I've been in places before where there were more people than desks, and car parks oversubscribed. This fixes those problems.

As I said, our boss has already said he won't be surprised if we are 100% WFH from here on in. Not something I want mind.

 

[TopCat]

They won't. Its cost effective to not.

It's not all about cost, there is productivity and governance to take into account.Many, many companies are already starting to make moves to get people back to work, For now, while social distancing is still a requirement, offices will probably be no more than 30% occupied, but once those restrictions ease people will be eased back in. There is no valid argument against it if your employer wants you back at your desk.

 

[dangermows]

It's not all about cost, there is productivity and governance to take into account.Many, many companies are already starting to make moves to get people back to work, For now, while social distancing is still a requirement, offices will probably be no more than 30% occupied, but once those restrictions ease people will be eased back in. There is no valid argument against it if your employer wants you back at your desk.

I've added productivity, see my edit. And the situation at our place.

And I know places already saying they won't renew leases for large expensive places, and others saying don't exkect to be back.

And that's my point, loads won't request employees back, not full time anyway.

 

[TopCat]

As I said, our boss has already said he won't be surprised if we are 100% WFH from here on in. Not something I want mind.

So has mine. It's highly likely I will never be back in Edinburgh again for work, even if I'm still on the programme when it winds up in 12-18 months. I have mixed feelings about it, but as a contractor it's easier to just have me working remotely. The core business and the permanent staff will all be back by this time next year. This will be reflected in many offices up and down the country

 

[dangermows]

So has mine. It's highly likely I will never be back in Edinburgh again for work, even if I'm still on the programme when it winds up in 12-18 months. I have mixed feelings about it, but as a contractor it's easier to just have me working remotely. The core business and the permanent staff will all be back by this time next year. This will be reflected in many offices up and down the country

Not full time they won't. Can recruit more staff in now, when previously space limited numbers.

I'm permanent, and it's unlikely I will be back in the office. I know others in my boat, as I work with them.

 

[TopCat]

I've added productivity, see my edit. And the situation at our place.

And I know places already saying they won't renew leases for large expensive places, and others saying don't expect to be back.

And that's my point, loads won't request employees back, not full time anyway.

Again. Agreed, but the suggestion on this thread that employees can/will refuse to go back to working in the office simply won't happen - Yes, in industries where Unions have an influence and are able to make their usual mischief then it will take time, but in general if it's safe to work and your employer wants you back at your desk, you have no option

 

[dangermows]

Again. Agreed, but the suggestion on this thread that employees can/will refuse to go back to working in the office simply won't happen - Yes, in industries where Unions have an influence and are able to make their usual mischief then it will take time, but in general if it's safe to work and your employer wants you back at your desk, you have no option

Where it will get interesting is if and when the job market picks up. Could have people looking fir jobs that can fit around them. I'm hoping better jobs filter up and away from London. It'll mean businesses can pay less, but more for that areas average.

 

[TopCat]

Not full time they won't. Can recruit more staff in now, when previously space limited numbers.

That remains to be seen. It CEO and Director level there is still a huge mistrust in WFH on a grand scale. There are definitely financial benefits to it, but unless you absolutely have to WFH, I can see the vast, vast majority back to "normal" within a year.

FWIW I'd fully support a 50/50 split. Prior to lockdown I WFH Mon & Fri, then spent 3 days in Edinburgh. That worked well for me as there are certain facets of my job that are just easier face to face, not to mention the general buzz of an office and seeing people other than the wife & kids all day.

Where it will get interesting is if and when the job market picks up. Could have people looking fir jobs that can fit around them. I'm hoping better jobs filter up and away from London. It'll mean businesses can pay less, but more for that areas average.

Good point. It's certainly going to be interesting to see how things develop - the idea of taking a job and never meeting your employer/manager/colleagues in person is madness. We have a couple of new starts on our programme who are in that boat.....

Liek you say, it might be the new normal for certain industries but I do think that those people sat at home confidently thinking they will never have to do the commute again are kidding themselves

 

[box2box]

Where it will get interesting is if and when the job market picks up. Could have people looking fir jobs that can fit around them. I'm hoping better jobs filter up and away from London. It'll mean businesses can pay less, but more for that areas average.

It’s a real prospect I think, the London jobs market opening up to a far larger employee market with home working seen as a viable model. I am a 1h50m train journey from London and would have no problem attending a London office 2/3/4 times a month , for the right contract

 

[dangermows]

That remains to be seen. It CEO and Director level there is still a huge mistrust in WFH on a grand scale. There are definitely financial benefits to it, but unless you absolutely have to WFH, I can see the vast, vast majority back to "normal" within a year.

FWIW I'd fully support a 50/50 split. Prior to lockdown I WFH Mon & Fri, then spent 3 days in Edinburgh. That worked well for me as there are certain facets of my job that are just easier face to face, not to mention the general buzz of an office and seeing people other than the wife & kids all day.

Good point. It's certainly going to be interesting to see how things develop - the idea of taking a job and never meeting your employer/manager/colleagues in person is madness. We have a couple of new starts on our programme who are in that boat.....

Liek you say, it might be the new normal for certain industries but I do think that those people sat at home confidently thinking they will never have to do the commute again are kidding themselves

Id love a split. Was pretty much doing that in a previous role. My current one, before this, I'd go in unless I had things going on at home.

 

[Frijj]

It’s a real prospect I think, the London jobs market opening up to a far larger employee market with home working seen as a viable model. I am a 1h50m train journey from London and would have no problem attending a London office 2/3/4 times a month , for the right contract

Would be good if this is a catalyst for decentralisation from the capital

 

[dangermows]

That remains to be seen. It CEO and Director level there is still a huge mistrust in WFH on a grand scale. There are definitely financial benefits to it, but unless you absolutely have to WFH, I can see the vast, vast majority back to "normal" within a year.

FWIW I'd fully support a 50/50 split. Prior to lockdown I WFH Mon & Fri, then spent 3 days in Edinburgh. That worked well for me as there are certain facets of my job that are just easier face to face, not to mention the general buzz of an office and seeing people other than the wife & kids all day.

Good point. It's certainly going to be interesting to see how things develop - the idea of taking a job and never meeting your employer/manager/colleagues in person is madness. We have a couple of new starts on our programme who are in that boat.....

Said elsewhere, I'm staring at that boat. Got a new gig lined up. I have met the gaffer on Teams video if that counts. It's one thing WFH 100%, like it looks like I'd be doing in current job, it's another to be learning the gig from the off from home.

 

[bassman]

I agree with the premise but it's just not feasible to maintain social distancing in most office environments. It's all good and well him saying that but government workers aren't back in their offices yet and, for the most part, aren't expected to be until the new year at the earliest.

I went back to the office last Monday in Newcastle City Centre - it's a small team in a small office and we're alternating weeks in the office then at home. Working in the office is fine but as soon as you leave our room all the posters on the wall from the company who run the building (keep 2m apart etc) are pointless. We share the floor with 4 other companies, the kitchen is tiny, the toilet is tiny (one cubicle in the gents for 20+ fellas), we're on the 3rd floor so walking up/down the stairs means you have to push past people in very close proximity. It simply isn't feasible or safe to work.

 

[cornish mackem]

Anyone who has worked on an office or an environment where you are near each other knows what it’s like when someone comes in with a cold. People drop like flies in the next few weeks blaming the first one who “caught it off the kids”
It’s going to happen again this winter if people go back to their old ways but this is a different animal.