OK, my title may be a bit incendiary… But I’ve about had it with the recent constant parade of articles calling for “return to the office” as a cure for everything. It’s almost like the Murdoch press has a vested interest? Anyway, we’re in a cost of living crisis and we’re calling to lump everyone with higher travel, and food costs all over again. So much for work life balance. If everyone does return to their offices will the press start running fluff articles about all the suburban cafes and restaurants that are suffering now that their local post-pandemic foot traffic is stuck back in the city?
I really don’t see the fuss. I’ve been back in the office full time since last year.
If we need a WFH day we can have it otherwise expectations are too go in.
I honestly prefer the flexibility of a day at home when I need it over having agreed home and office days.
Many people at my workplace are saying similar, “it’s not that bad, what’s the fuss” etc. The point is you can just as easily ask employers “what’s the fuss?” when they whinge and moan about their empty offices. I’m yet to see a real argument beyond “we believe face-to-face time increases collaboration and innovation” as though that means anything.
On the other hand, 3 years WFH and we continued to post record profits year after year, just like before the pandemic, just like we undoubtedly will after… it makes no difference… just let people work from wherever they want. I do agree with your sentiment about having agreed home and office days (hybrid working is not flexible).
I’m glad it works for you. It doesn’t for me and a lot of other people. I changed jobs because my previous job wanted us to come back in. I will never return to the office. There’s no benefit to the business and all the costs of coming in are borne by me.
Look, I too would prefer to be in the office most days, and being new to my industry, wished others would do the same. But it’s just not practical for so many people to be in every day when they have kids, or can’t afford to live close to work.
I’m glad my company doesn’t have any expectation of being in the office.
I have got kids and travel for over an hour to get into the office. It’s what we all did pre-covid
Working from home is a privilege and should be treated as such. If it’s taken for granted it will be taken away
Good for you, if an hour commute either way suits you, then cool. Though it’s been shown through so many studies that a commute that long increases stress. It’s also an hour you’ll never get back.
If you’re happy, then I’m happy for you, but you’d do well to use a little empathy that for others 2 hours from their day just makes life harder. Not everyone has they same life you have. We would all do well to remember that.