Employer Work-From-Home / Covid Troubles
Discussion
Having some trouble with my employer and would like some opinions.
I have an office job - when lockdown first started my employer were reluctant to let people work from home, but no-one wanted to stay in the office so their hand was forced.
Some people have trickled back into the office for personal reasons, but as a company have been pushing to get people "back" in the office for nearly two months (i.e. at the peak), and this pressure has been ramping up & up.
No-one has been furloughed and I don't think there's been any real issues with productivity - roughly half the employees work from home full time anyway.
The business has not "closed" during this period.
My understanding is that at the moment, the advice is "work from home, unless you cannot"
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-... - section 2
I feel that I'm being put in a difficult situation where I'm being forced to break the government guidelines - not that I'm even being presented with a choice.
I'm also expected to exert this pressure on others which I'm even less comfortable with.
I have an office job - when lockdown first started my employer were reluctant to let people work from home, but no-one wanted to stay in the office so their hand was forced.
Some people have trickled back into the office for personal reasons, but as a company have been pushing to get people "back" in the office for nearly two months (i.e. at the peak), and this pressure has been ramping up & up.
No-one has been furloughed and I don't think there's been any real issues with productivity - roughly half the employees work from home full time anyway.
The business has not "closed" during this period.
My understanding is that at the moment, the advice is "work from home, unless you cannot"
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-... - section 2
I feel that I'm being put in a difficult situation where I'm being forced to break the government guidelines - not that I'm even being presented with a choice.
I'm also expected to exert this pressure on others which I'm even less comfortable with.
What's in it for the Company to (effectively) force people to come back to the office?
I'm just thinking that it must increase their operating costs (in terms of heating, lighting and other office running costs). Why aren't they happy to let people continue working from home?
Out of interest how is productivity measured? Because if that's demonstrably not affected then it strengthens your argument (and stops the bosses thinking that some people are skiving).
I'm just thinking that it must increase their operating costs (in terms of heating, lighting and other office running costs). Why aren't they happy to let people continue working from home?
Out of interest how is productivity measured? Because if that's demonstrably not affected then it strengthens your argument (and stops the bosses thinking that some people are skiving).
baileywin said:
I feel that I'm being put in a difficult situation where I'm being forced to break the government guidelines
Or are you just reluctant to give up the convenience and comfort of working from your own home?I'm not going to pretend it's any thing other than that in my case. I've got no fear around breaking rules or catching the virus, I'm just lazy and don't want to give up the 15 second commute to my study.
Drezza said:
You have two choices:
1) Kick up a fuss and face redundancy at the worst possible time.
2) Suck it up and do what they say and be grateful for a job.
This.1) Kick up a fuss and face redundancy at the worst possible time.
2) Suck it up and do what they say and be grateful for a job.
Or if you still feel victimised just tell your employer you refuse to come into the office and report back. I'm sure it will work out splendidly for you OP
MOBB said:
Boris is now saying go back to work if you can, so I think you are going to struggle to convince your employer even more now
My understanding of "go back to work" is for those who haven't been working (e.g. furlough).The guidance on the government website (I think) is clear. Although what is also clear is that other opinions are that it's just guidance...
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8511629/B...
Seems now Boris is saying if its safe get yourself back to work.
OP are any of your colleagues of the same thoughts as you in not wanting to go back to work?
Seems now Boris is saying if its safe get yourself back to work.
OP are any of your colleagues of the same thoughts as you in not wanting to go back to work?
It will be interesting to see how things unfold. Personally WFH life is suiting me well. I’m healthier and happier than ever before - I’m far fitter, well rested, less stressed, eating better, taking better care of myself all round. I have more free time to do the things I love and more money to spend on things I actually care about. I’m equally productive if not more & just as happy as always to work extra hours on occasion to help with deadlines etc.
It doesn’t sit well with me that the government is asking me to give all that up so I can prop up office landlords, cleaners, and Tesco with my lunchtime meal deal purchases.
Rationally I know the economy is a huge complex beast and there will be problems if the office-related service jobs disappear due to widespread WFH but - I’ve had a taste of the work life balance I always wanted and I like it.
It doesn’t sit well with me that the government is asking me to give all that up so I can prop up office landlords, cleaners, and Tesco with my lunchtime meal deal purchases.
Rationally I know the economy is a huge complex beast and there will be problems if the office-related service jobs disappear due to widespread WFH but - I’ve had a taste of the work life balance I always wanted and I like it.
It's not the Government that decides - it will be the boss(es). At the moment Employees have been more or less able to demand that they WFH because the "Govt says so!". That stage is coming to an end and we're entering a stage where the bosses will be deciding where people work from.
The fact of the matter is bosses have no real desire to pay for rent, heating, lighting, cleaning or reception staff so if they can maximise profits by letting people WFH they will. And most people can and do work fine without needing a manager sat on their shoulder. But some can't . And for those people who skive Managers will feel that they want to see them sat at a desk between 9 and 5.
At the end of the day your Manager decides where you work from. If your manager is happy for you to WFH then all well and good. If he's not happy then you need to convince him via your stellar work performance that you can be trusted to work on your own and you're not one of the skivers. If you're amazing and knocking it our of the park every week and he's still not happy then he'll regret it when you're snapped up by a more flexible rival.
The fact of the matter is bosses have no real desire to pay for rent, heating, lighting, cleaning or reception staff so if they can maximise profits by letting people WFH they will. And most people can and do work fine without needing a manager sat on their shoulder. But some can't . And for those people who skive Managers will feel that they want to see them sat at a desk between 9 and 5.
At the end of the day your Manager decides where you work from. If your manager is happy for you to WFH then all well and good. If he's not happy then you need to convince him via your stellar work performance that you can be trusted to work on your own and you're not one of the skivers. If you're amazing and knocking it our of the park every week and he's still not happy then he'll regret it when you're snapped up by a more flexible rival.
Edited by Countdown on Sunday 12th July 18:38
LHRFlightman said:
If it helps, I know that the Department for Transport wont be reopening the offices on Horseferry Rd until next year. Staff to WFH until then at least. I'd assume that will apply to most Govt departments.
Correct. All government departments are following 'current' government guidance - which is to work at home of you can and stick to the 1m+ distancing rule (most places are sticking to 2m). If that guidance changes then government departments will also change. However, with most government offices being extremely cramped, occupancy will have to remain low to maintain adequate distancing. Desks at offices are being prioritised for people who need to be at an office for critical business or HSW reasons. Most government offices will not be back to any sort of pre lockdown normality for at least 6 months, and the new normal may even be to continue working at home.Not sure that helps the situation with private sector bigger offices. Each to their own, I guess.
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