Working From Home. Torture

Author
Discussion

Fast Bug

11,597 posts

160 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
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I've been field based for years, usually seeing customers 2 days a week, home 2 days a week and 1 day in the office. Customer visits no longer happen, and I've been told not to go in to the office. I miss that 1 day a week in all honesty, I'm just glad I'm not single so I actually see people on a daily basis! I think I'd really struggle otherwise

Bam89

628 posts

100 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
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I started a new job a couple of months ago, and have found it quite strange to only really have had work based chats with the people I now work with. I'm not a "Lads Lads Lads" type, but wherever I've worked have usually found common ground with my colleagues and enjoyed going for a beer on a Thursday evening.

I think it really helps break down barriers to have the social side of things, so I'm looking forward to being able to do that again at some point. They seem like a nice bunch but I just feel a bit on the outside of things when a lot of them have worked together for a few years

wastedyouth86

850 posts

41 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
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Woodrow Wilson said:
You may think that you sound stoic and admirable, but you just sound a bit odd and miserable.

ps. The word "woke" doesn't help your case.
that may be your opinion and thats great but what really matters is that i am happy which i am, so as much as i would like to take onboard your opinions about me at the end of the day your just a faceless person behind a screen like me.

oldbanger

4,316 posts

237 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
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fastraxx said:
You talk about your dogs wife and kids as a pain. Most people I know love being around their dogs all day now and it’s always a chance they could be nervous. What’s the issue with being around your OH ‘all day’?
My kids are autistic. The youngest is very loud and is on a part time timetable as it takes about 2 hours to get her into school each day due to her anxiety about the new regimen. The eldest is at college and does 3 days at home. The house is partially open plan so we are all on top of each other. The kids will barge in without warning and really don’t get it.

My husband spends his free time watching tractor videos and has sadly forgotten how to cook.

The kids have thrown a load of junk into the Downstairs spare room where I work from and the dining room is used as a workstation for my eldest’s art materials. The living room is used by my husband.

I love the dogs to bits. They are rescues and bark at planes, birds, passing cars, loud noises, dogs barking in the distance . Client calls frequently involve me muting myself as they have heard a car door or something.

The office was climate controlled with a kitchen I didn’t have to clean, my own space and fabulous network speeds. Even with fibre some processes take 2-3 times usual run time when done from home. I manage a team, including now 3 apprentices (who need a lot of handholding) as well as being responsible for programme management, design specs and tender writing for multi million pound contracts.

I cope, even though I am also doing evening classes in a couple of subjects, but boy do I miss the office.

Plus my poor cars just sit there. Driving is my ‘me’ time and largely I can’t justify just going for a hoon.

Edited by oldbanger on Tuesday 27th October 12:18

limpsfield

5,871 posts

252 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
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From the posts you’ve made on ph over the years you sound like you have had the most god awful working life.

Edited by chris.mod on Tuesday 27th October 15:17

oldbanger

4,316 posts

237 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
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mikeiow said:
Indeed.....I work in an IT organisation, & my home network speeds have been faster than the office for many years now!

I’ve worked from home for around 20 years, with a decent mix of customer meetings and work “jollies” thrown in....but seeing the past 6 months as a practise for “stepping away” from the daily work.
Loathe to call it retirement, but the years ahead won’t involve PowerPoint hehe

I feel moderately privileged to have been able to make almost all school sports days/events as ours grew up, thanks in no small part to working for flexible bosses: the kind who know it doesn’t matter if you skip off an hour or two here or there provided the work gets done, and who appreciate will keep on top of things into the evening where needed (global organisation)

Of course, corporate bullst naturally increases these days, commensurate with my sliding into a grumpy old man!
I do have a couple of awesome WhatsApp banter groups that let everyone rip with banter & sometimes non-PC humour (nothing nasty, but sweary stuff that makes you laugh!), and that is how to survive if the office isn’t working for you. IMHO

I do feel sorry for the younger generation....building up decent work relationships is much harder without face to face time.
I’m too far away from the exchange. Pre fibre I had speeds of 8Mb down and 3 Mb up. Now I get Approx 40 down and 10 up, roughly. It made a massive difference but it’s not a substitute for sitting in the same room as the Database server.

And for me, work has been my respite. I’ve never missed a sports day, school meeting, social services visit, or parenting class. But being able to get out the house was invaluable, having somewhere away from the mess, noise etc . Plus I am a total anorak and really enjoy talking shop.

anxious_ant

2,626 posts

78 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
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This is the first time I'm able to WFH on a "permanent" basis.

I've saved £££ in fuel and also less tired not doing the dreadful commute, which on bad days (like winter) can add up to 45 min each way.

However downside is that my gas and electricity bills have dramatically increased. It's still cheaper compared to diesel though at the moment so I suppose it balances out.

WFH is not for everyone, or every role. I seem to be doing well in my new job as reflected by the recent performanece reviews. I don't think there is much difference to productivity compared to full time in the office. However,, I do wish there could be a balance where I an split the time WFH and in the office.

There is no long term plan at my place for WFH policy, it's just following government guidelines at the moment, where you should WFH if you can.
From my discussions with my line manager I think she prefers that everyone is back in the office, which is fair enough as that's what I've signed up for.

anxious_ant

2,626 posts

78 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
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oldbanger said:
My kids are autistic.
Mine too. My youngest started reception this year and I really do appreciate having this oppurtunity to be there for him.
Silver lining and all...

fastraxx

8,308 posts

102 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
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anxious_ant said:
This is the first time I'm able to WFH on a "permanent" basis.

I've saved £££ in fuel and also less tired not doing the dreadful commute, which on bad days (like winter) can add up to 45 min each way.

However downside is that my gas and electricity bills have dramatically increased. It's still cheaper compared to diesel though at the moment so I suppose it balances out.

WFH is not for everyone, or every role. I seem to be doing well in my new job as reflected by the recent performanece reviews. I don't think there is much difference to productivity compared to full time in the office. However,, I do wish there could be a balance where I an split the time WFH and in the office.

There is no long term plan at my place for WFH policy, it's just following government guidelines at the moment, where you should WFH if you can.
From my discussions with my line manager I think she prefers that everyone is back in the office, which is fair enough as that's what I've signed up for.
I don’t think it’s fair enough if there is no productivity loss. Sounds like a control freak

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
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From this, and your other posts on PH, it sounds like you have hated your working life.

Why did you keep doing it if you hated it? Why didn't you just go and do something else or work somewhere else?


Edited by chris.mod on Tuesday 27th October 15:15

fastraxx

8,308 posts

102 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
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Lord Marylebone said:
From this, and your other posts on PH, it sounds like you have hated your working life.

Why did you keep doing it if you hated it? Why didn't you just go and do something else or work somewhere else?
That’s often easier to say than do - especially if it’s a wage cut

anxious_ant

2,626 posts

78 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
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fastraxx said:
I don’t think it’s fair enough if there is no productivity loss. Sounds like a control freak
My company is a global organisation, but I'm attached to the UK branch. Traditionally WFH is not a thing here.
However everyone needs to follow corporate mandate so sticking to strict government guidelines.
Who knows, perhaps it will change in the near future.

There are also a number of colleagues who don't like to WFH though, with the same reasons stated in this thread. For select few office workers who struggled to WFH, they are allowed back into the office, but only after intensive round of assesments.

Woodrow Wilson

Original Poster:

338 posts

159 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
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fastraxx said:
Lord Marylebone said:
From this, and your other posts on PH, it sounds like you have hated your working life.

Why did you keep doing it if you hated it? Why didn't you just go and do something else or work somewhere else?
That’s often easier to say than do - especially if it’s a wage cut
Definitely. It's very difficult to change direction, especially if you have dependents.

lyonspride

2,978 posts

154 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
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Woodrow Wilson said:
fastraxx said:
Lord Marylebone said:
From this, and your other posts on PH, it sounds like you have hated your working life.

Why did you keep doing it if you hated it? Why didn't you just go and do something else or work somewhere else?
That’s often easier to say than do - especially if it’s a wage cut
Definitely. It's very difficult to change direction, especially if you have dependents.
It is, very difficult...... Because without experience you won't have the right buzzwords in your CV to get past HR/Agencies. WHICH is why this whole retaining thing that the govt is pedalling is just complete joke.
Aside from sales or working in an office, there is very little you can do these days without having specialised in one subject and spent money to gain a certificate in a subject you probably already know. So retraining and hoping that a job turns up AND that there are no other experienced candidates applying for said job? yeah, good luck with that!
20+ years engineering experience, I couldn't even get a job stacking shelves in a supermarket, even if there were no other applicants, i'd be too much of a threat to the hiring manager, I mean why would a junior manager hire someone who has held senior positions?

fastraxx

8,308 posts

102 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
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lyonspride said:
It is, very difficult...... Because without experience you won't have the right buzzwords in your CV to get past HR/Agencies. WHICH is why this whole retaining thing that the govt is pedalling is just complete joke.
Aside from sales or working in an office, there is very little you can do these days without having specialised in one subject and spent money to gain a certificate in a subject you probably already know. So retraining and hoping that a job turns up AND that there are no other experienced candidates applying for said job? yeah, good luck with that!
20+ years engineering experience, I couldn't even get a job stacking shelves in a supermarket, even if there were no other applicants, i'd be too much of a threat to the hiring manager, I mean why would a junior manager hire someone who has held senior positions?
Thats where creative CV writing comes into play.

oldbanger

4,316 posts

237 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
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anxious_ant said:
oldbanger said:
My kids are autistic.
Mine too. My youngest started reception this year and I really do appreciate having this oppurtunity to be there for him.
Silver lining and all...
Absolutely. Mine are 13 and 16. My eldest could not do college or work experience without one of us driving her there, which wouldn’t work if I was tied to the office. However I don’t get to compartmentalise whilst working at home, there’s no way of blocking out the squealing noises etc. and as yet the kids aren’t self sufficient enough to sort their own snacks, school bags, clothes etc. Just to add, I am not unusual in not finding it easy to work and parent simultaneously - I had a male colleague in another department on the verge of tears because he hadn’t quite finished an urgent piece of work and his two 5 year olds were crying very loudly in the background.

My employer was already flexible and I have at points worked from clinic waiting rooms for example. We’re going to be allowed to return to office for a couple of days a week and I am really looking forward to it

Edited by oldbanger on Tuesday 27th October 16:47


Edited by oldbanger on Tuesday 27th October 16:48

oldbanger

4,316 posts

237 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
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Woodrow Wilson said:
Definitely. It's very difficult to change direction, especially if you have dependents.
It really depends. I am on career 3.5. I am main earner with 2 kids. It has however meant taking risks and investing in coaching/courses. And not taking on any big financial commitments other than the mortgage (and college fees paid in instalments)

lothianJim

2,274 posts

41 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
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I'm enjoying home working. It's mostly an introvert/extrovert thing in my case. I've seen polls where about half of the UK is a self declared an extrovert, half introvert ...

page3

4,912 posts

250 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
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anxious_ant said:
oldbanger said:
My kids are autistic.
Mine too. My youngest started reception this year and I really do appreciate having this oppurtunity to be there for him.
Silver lining and all...
Mine too. Pretty sure so is the cat.

Started a new job this month and it’s been so much more difficult to get up to speed because everyone is WFH.

One thing I have spotted is that most actually prefer to see pets/children etc as it adds a bit of normality and helps break the ice.

67Dino

3,581 posts

104 months

Tuesday 27th October 2020
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lothianJim said:
I'm enjoying home working. It's mostly an introvert/extrovert thing in my case. I've seen polls where about half of the UK is a self declared an extrovert, half introvert ...
If you take a show of hands, 100% of people are extrovert...
smile