People are tired of working from home

[Hep]

I’ve mates who live in households of 5 or 6 in London. Nowhere else to work from, just consigned entirely to their bedrooms all day at the moment. They’re champing at the bit to get back in and have some breathing space.


Strikes me more like it’s those who loathe being around other people full stop that don’t want to return to the office ever.

Multitude of less reductive reasons than that for and against WFH - which is why more flexible working is the answer IMO. The sociopaths can stay at home mostly and the needy gobshites can do 5 days a week

But that won't work, if people only do 2 days a week in the office, they'll only be 40% of the people in, so all those wanting to see everyone at the office will be bitterly disappointed to find it's less than half full.

I’ve mates who live in households of 5 or 6 in London. Nowhere else to work from, just consigned entirely to their bedrooms all day at the moment. They’re champing at the bit to get back in and have some breathing space.


Strikes me more like it’s those who loathe being around other people full stop that don’t want to return to the office ever.

Multitude of less reductive reasons than that for and against WFH - which is why more flexible working is the answer IMO. The sociopaths can stay at home mostly and the needy gobshites can do 5 days a week

It's not a case of loathing being around other people, it just choosing who you want to be around.

Let's face it when someone leaves and they send the obligatory 'Keep in touch' email. What % of people have you kept in touch with?

 

[Bob Fleming]

But that won't work, if people only do 2 days a week in the office, they'll only be 40% of the people in, so all those wanting to see everyone at the office will be bitterly disappointed to find it's less than half full.

It's not a case of loathing being around other people, it just choosing who you want to be around.

Let's face it when someone leaves and they send the obligatory 'Keep in touch' email. What % of people have you kept in touch with?

I have a fair number of people from past jobs I'm in touch with fairly regularly.

 

[Keawyeds]

Let's face it when someone leaves and they send the obligatory 'Keep in touch' email. What % of people have you kept in touch with?

I think I've pretty much lost touch with the two people I got on with at my old old job. I occasionally get a message or send a message to one or 2 of my colleagues from my last place, but I wouldn't arrange to meet for a drink or anything I don't think.
Be nice to see one of them again as we got on, but I wouldn't go so far as to say we're mates

 

[Vauxie]

Depends what your job is like.

 

[elder]

I was in the office today, hardly anyone in our place but the city itself (sydney) was fairly busy. the wife is back in the office 4 days per week, she had to haggle to get the one day at home.
although most of our restrictions are fairly lax at the moment no one from my work is hurrying to get back in. i'm happy doing one day per fortnight in the office.
our version of furlough is getting cut back at the end of the month so see what happens then.

 

[Epping]

Eerie place on a weekend, even before covid. The DLR in general wigs me out for the most part. Wtf is Mudchute

Was busy on weekends up until covid. Used to be eerie 10-15 years ago but certiay not on last 5 years or so

 

[Hep]

I have a fair number of people from past jobs I'm in touch with fairly regularly.

What percentage? I keep in touch with a handful but not the vast majority.

 

[Bob Fleming]

What percentage? I keep in touch with a handful but not the vast majority.

What does that have to do with it. I don't get friendly with everyone. But where ever I've worked there has always been a few I get on well with and worth going in for a bit of crack on. If I worked in my last place a few of us would definitely organise the same days in the office should we be going back part time office/home. Both for working together but also lunches and after work beer.

 

[James]

What does that have to do with it. I don't get friendly with everyone. But where ever I've worked there has always been a few I get on well with and worth going in for a bit of crack on. If I worked in my last place a few of us would definitely organise the same days in the office should we be going back part time office/home. Both for working together but also lunches and after work beer.

Yep same. I'm really good friends with three former colleagues. Didn't really mind the rest of them either, just not going to meet them on a weekend for a pint.

Everyone on here seems to hate everyone they work with. Maybe they're the problem?

 

[monkeytassle]

Yep same. I'm really good friends with three former colleagues. Didn't really mind the rest of them either, just not going to meet them on a weekend for a pint.

Everyone on here seems to hate everyone they work with. Maybe they're the problem?

That was my thought

 

[Deleted member 22162]

But that won't work, if people only do 2 days a week in the office, they'll only be 40% of the people in, so all those wanting to see everyone at the office will be bitterly disappointed to find it's less than half full.

It's not a case of loathing being around other people, it just choosing who you want to be around.

Let's face it when someone leaves and they send the obligatory 'Keep in touch' email. What % of people have you kept in touch with?

When I worked in advertising, at an agency of a several hundred people? Zero, maybe one or two at a push, 'cause there was a load of whoppers there I couldn't wait to see the back of tbh.

My last company before starting out on my own 3 year ago? I think 6 out of 8 of them (small business) I worked with will be at my wedding in July, that's not including the lass I'm marrying who I met there and run my company with today. Depends on the culture, doesn't it.

 

[Keawyeds]

That was my thought

I know I can be an arse, but at my last place, they were definitely bellends.

 

[dcl0sc]

I wish I could be isolated from my wife and kids sometimes

It's a nightmare when the kids are off school like or her indoors is in on her days off...

They seem to forget I'm working...

Yep same. I'm really good friends with three former colleagues. Didn't really mind the rest of them either, just not going to meet them on a weekend for a pint.

Everyone on here seems to hate everyone they work with. Maybe they're the problem?

Not a problem for me, as I started my current job on the first day of lock down... so I've still hardly met anyone...

I went in the office for probably 10-15 days max (when the lock down was eased last time), but everyone still chose to work from home.

When everyone is back in the office, I'll still be like a new starter, even though I've worked for the bloody company for nearly a year!

 

[Blue_Monday]

I honestly couldn’t care less if I never saw a work colleague or the office again, love wfh.

 

[monkeytassle]

When I worked in advertising, at an agency of a several hundred people? Zero, maybe one or two at a push, 'cause there was a load of whoppers there I couldn't wait to see the back of tbh.

My last company before starting out on my own 3 year ago? I think 6 out of 8 of them (small business) I worked with will be at my wedding in July, that's not including the lass I'm marrying who I met there and run my company with today. Depends on the culture, doesn't it.

Grad scheme 2 out of 10
Next job 0 out of 11
Then 3 out of 20
5 out of 12
20 out of 70 (most of us go cycling together)
2 out of 15
Current I socialise with all the time 4 have left which I speak with few times a week.

I guess if you try with some people you'll get on with some and not others.

 

[Fletch]

I think the people wanting to return to the office are the reason why so many want to work from home.

the type that want to talk endlessly while you’re trying to get something done.

the type that have few friends outside of work and little social activities.

.. as daft as saying those wanting to WFH 100% are obvious skyvers

 

[dangermows]

I think the people wanting to return to the office are the reason why so many want to work from home.

the type that want to talk endlessly while you’re trying to get something done.

the type that have few friends outside of work and little social activities.

The latter point is a valid one in terms of those wanting to go in tbf. Many have social circles linked to work, which will involve going out straight from work
I will miss a few after work pints tbf, but usually got pissed with mates who aren't from graft.

I’ve mates who live in households of 5 or 6 in London. Nowhere else to work from, just consigned entirely to their bedrooms all day at the moment. They’re champing at the bit to get back in and have some breathing space.


Strikes me more like it’s those who loathe being around other people full stop that don’t want to return to the office ever.

Multitude of less reductive reasons than that for and against WFH - which is why more flexible working is the answer IMO. The sociopaths can stay at home mostly and the needy gobshites can do 5 days a week

This.

The other thing to consider is that not everyone lives in a house with space. A junior lives in a house share in which he has one room, his bedroom and that's not to mention people that live in flats. Simply not feasible for some.

Good post. All the sensible posts highlight the need for choice.

 

[Unbalanced Views]

I put my suit on for the first time in almost a year yesterday, just for a change of pace. I was surprised it still fits. I much prefer being in me jarmies till lunch time.

 

[RestlessNatives]

Grad scheme 2 out of 10
Next job 0 out of 11
Then 3 out of 20
5 out of 12
20 out of 70 (most of us go cycling together)
2 out of 15
Current I socialise with all the time 4 have left which I speak with few times a week.

I guess if you try with some people you'll get on with some and not others.

First couple of jobs I don't keep in touch with anyone but we're talking 25-30 years ago. Think I have one as a friend on FB and if I bumped into a couple of others we might speak but not seen them for years.
Next one probably chat to half a dozen now and again on Facebook, was quite close to one for a few years but drifted apart.
Next one I still talk almost daily with about ten on WhatsApp. Still have our Christmas night out each year despite none of us working together for over ten years. A couple I go on holiday with every year and another I would class as one of my best friends.
Next job I talk regularly with three or four and occasionally with about half a dozen others on FB.
Spent five years working for myself but still in touch with a lot of people I met in that period.
Current place I have no out of work contact (went for one meal before lockdown) but I was only there a few months before the pandemic struck.

I'm getting older and have plenty of friends so don't look on the workplace as somewhere I need to socialise, but I do recognise that it plays an important role in a lot of people's lives and has in mine in the past.

 

[Seaham Towny]

I think the people wanting to return to the office are the reason why so many want to work from home.

the type that want to talk endlessly while you’re trying to get something done.

the type that have few friends outside of work and little social activities.

I think you’re wrong like.

I have a fair number of people from past jobs I'm in touch with fairly regularly.

Same here, one lad in Portugal, another in Italy. Quite a few were at my wedding.

Some on here will attest I’m not the most sociable either.