When we start going back to the office?
Discussion
My employer is making noises about returning to the London office in September, initially on a phased basis, but I can't see it will be before January, given issues with London transport's safety. I'd happily WFH permanently, it's been a revelation.
Anyone else's company starting to think about the timescales of returning?
Anyone else's company starting to think about the timescales of returning?
Mine appear keen not to have people returning to the office. I wouldn't want to be the owner of the current office space.
I suspect that the long term model will be working-from-home, and travelling to a central (post Covid-19) hot-desking location only a couple of times per week/month for meetings, face to face training, use of plotters etc.
It suits some people, but not others.
Although my family are in the house, I find working in a room on my own a bit dull, to be honest. That is partly to do with much of the actual work.
It will be interesting to see how it feels WFH when the kids are back at school and my wife and I are both mostly WFH all week.
I suspect that the long term model will be working-from-home, and travelling to a central (post Covid-19) hot-desking location only a couple of times per week/month for meetings, face to face training, use of plotters etc.
It suits some people, but not others.
Although my family are in the house, I find working in a room on my own a bit dull, to be honest. That is partly to do with much of the actual work.
It will be interesting to see how it feels WFH when the kids are back at school and my wife and I are both mostly WFH all week.
I was in touch last week with a large London firm who currently have almost all their staff working from home. Before Covid they would only authorise working from home occasionally, or in special circumstances. However, they have found that staff productivity has remained similar since they started working from home and it's now likely to continue for many, with some just working 1-2 days a week from the office.
If they can maintain that productivity and reduce their office space requirements by 2/3rds it going to have a major effect on their fixed costs long term.
Obviously all firms vary, but I would imagine there are many similar professional firms who will be in the same position. Brown trousers time for commercial landlords (and of course all our pension funds)!
If they can maintain that productivity and reduce their office space requirements by 2/3rds it going to have a major effect on their fixed costs long term.
Obviously all firms vary, but I would imagine there are many similar professional firms who will be in the same position. Brown trousers time for commercial landlords (and of course all our pension funds)!
My employer signed a lease on a new office in early Feb, a floor of our own, after almost five years in a WeWork building.
We all went in on Thursday to have a look at the newly finished office and the consensus from the CEO then was "the office is here, the internet works, so come in and use it if you want to". However, that was before Boris' about turn at the weekend, so we'll see how the company's stance changes over the next month.
We all went in on Thursday to have a look at the newly finished office and the consensus from the CEO then was "the office is here, the internet works, so come in and use it if you want to". However, that was before Boris' about turn at the weekend, so we'll see how the company's stance changes over the next month.
I have been commuting to my office right through the pandemic, that being said I hope the whole working from home thing continues permenantly because for those of us who don't have the option traffic is massively improved, I'm saving an hour a day on my time spent driving to and from work
The traffic sounds much better, I hope that carries on for when I go back.
Everyone I talk to much prefer WFH due to the money and time benefits plus also the extra efficiency- I definitely get more done in a day. I'll be quite miserable when I eventually go back, I'm hoping for no more that 1 or 2 days per week. I really can't see the point of having 3,000 people all sitting together in an office 5 days per week, I think those days are gone for good.
Everyone I talk to much prefer WFH due to the money and time benefits plus also the extra efficiency- I definitely get more done in a day. I'll be quite miserable when I eventually go back, I'm hoping for no more that 1 or 2 days per week. I really can't see the point of having 3,000 people all sitting together in an office 5 days per week, I think those days are gone for good.
Ours have said most likely sometime late next year and that's only for a small amount of staff that don't have everything they need to do their job at home.
Apart from that I think we are looking at WFH on a permanent basis as it's not made a difference to how we work from home to how it is in the office.
Saves me a 1 & 1/2 hour commute every day, about £250 odd quid a month in fuel and no more getting up at 6 in the morning and more time to spend with the kids and I'm back downstairs in time for The Chase.
It's ideal for me although the main thing I will miss is the people as it's not the same WFH rather than face to face and going and chatting to my colleagues and friends.
Apart from that I think we are looking at WFH on a permanent basis as it's not made a difference to how we work from home to how it is in the office.
Saves me a 1 & 1/2 hour commute every day, about £250 odd quid a month in fuel and no more getting up at 6 in the morning and more time to spend with the kids and I'm back downstairs in time for The Chase.
It's ideal for me although the main thing I will miss is the people as it's not the same WFH rather than face to face and going and chatting to my colleagues and friends.
Not sure when ours will go back. Everyone has to get public transport which is an issue. Not just from a safety point of view but practically. Trains were rammed every morning anyway, if they are operating at smaller capacity that isn't going to work.
I would happily stay WFH. I save £450 a month in train fares and get almost 4 hours extra time back. Can have a lie in, can get up early and finish early.
Not sure my firm will go for it, but hopefully they might be more flexible. At the minute they are just taking a month at a time. Wish they would bite the bullet and say its end of September.
I would happily stay WFH. I save £450 a month in train fares and get almost 4 hours extra time back. Can have a lie in, can get up early and finish early.
Not sure my firm will go for it, but hopefully they might be more flexible. At the minute they are just taking a month at a time. Wish they would bite the bullet and say its end of September.
My office (250+ people) is still closed. Soon it will open at 30% capacity as that's all that can fit in and still maintain adequate distancing. As/when distancing guidance changes, our office capacity will change with it.
Personally, I'd prefer going back to the office. The 1hr15m drive and then 20 min walk is worth it for proper conversations, no distractions and better collaboration. I guess the ideal scenario is having the flexibility to choose how often you go to the office. We were previously 'capped' at 1 day a week at home but I think the post covid world will be a lot more flexible now that everyone has realised work still gets done with people working at home.
Personally, I'd prefer going back to the office. The 1hr15m drive and then 20 min walk is worth it for proper conversations, no distractions and better collaboration. I guess the ideal scenario is having the flexibility to choose how often you go to the office. We were previously 'capped' at 1 day a week at home but I think the post covid world will be a lot more flexible now that everyone has realised work still gets done with people working at home.
Ours are closed definitely till end of August. There are talks of opening up in September, but maybe not on a compulsory basis, will come to know more shortly.
I already WFH 2 days a week, hopefully I can increase it to maybe 4 days from home and 1 in office.
Productivity has increased and get much more time to sleep, exercise etc. Save around £350 on commute.
I already WFH 2 days a week, hopefully I can increase it to maybe 4 days from home and 1 in office.
Productivity has increased and get much more time to sleep, exercise etc. Save around £350 on commute.
Not too sure when it'll be, but whenever it is, it'll be different.
Posted this on another thread, but worth posting here. Went into the West End and City last week, Covent Garden was depressingly empty with a lot of shops not open and a fair few closed down.
This was taken from the top of a double decker coming back down Queen Victoria Street up to Bank at lunchtime:
Deserted and looking more like an architect's rendition than an actual photo at the busiest time of day normally.
Posted this on another thread, but worth posting here. Went into the West End and City last week, Covent Garden was depressingly empty with a lot of shops not open and a fair few closed down.
This was taken from the top of a double decker coming back down Queen Victoria Street up to Bank at lunchtime:
Deserted and looking more like an architect's rendition than an actual photo at the busiest time of day normally.
vixen1700 said:
This was taken from the top of a double decker coming back down Queen Victorua Street up to Bank at lunchtime:
Lunchtime? Used to work very close to there and it was always rammed at lunchtime!My office is now back for up to 30% given social distancing - I'm not going in because I don't need to and can work from home. Suspect I won't be going back until 2021, and if my house purchase goes through and I have a better workspace at home, I'll probably try and make being in the office 2/3 times a week at most the new normal.
AyBee said:
Lunchtime? Used to work very close to there and it was always rammed at lunchtime!
Indeed. Currently working just off Fenchurch Street (well at home since March) and when we went past M&S on the corner it was equally deserted.Here's Fleet Street at just gone 12.45 last Friday:
Have no idea where we're headed with all this.
vixen1700 said:
Not too sure when it'll be, but whenever it is, it'll be different.
Posted this on another thread, but worth posting here. Went into the West End and City last week, Covent Garden was depressingly empty with a lot of shops not open and a fair few closed down.
This was taken from the top of a double decker coming back down Queen Victoria Street up to Bank at lunchtime:
Deserted and looking more like an architect's rendition than an actual photo at the busiest time of day normally.
That’s mental. Had an office next to Bank of China round the corner from there a few years back. Place was always bustling at any time of the day. Posted this on another thread, but worth posting here. Went into the West End and City last week, Covent Garden was depressingly empty with a lot of shops not open and a fair few closed down.
This was taken from the top of a double decker coming back down Queen Victoria Street up to Bank at lunchtime:
Deserted and looking more like an architect's rendition than an actual photo at the busiest time of day normally.
Despite being a home worker I’m feeling like a caged animal so I’m going into the office for the first time since pre-lockdown today. I expect I’ll be one of 5 or so out of about 150 that are normally in there but I need the change of scenery for my mental health.
Home has never felt more like an office and I’m struggling to switch off. I need to change the pattern or I’ll go pop.
Home has never felt more like an office and I’m struggling to switch off. I need to change the pattern or I’ll go pop.
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