Vocal Voices

I said at the start that the shine would wear off, and it has.

All the claims by the newly converted zealots that they were 10%-15%-20% more efficient, (when there was only the same amount of work in total coming in) have come to nought. They were fine when they could take the lappy into the garden on a summer's day, then came the autumn and winter and slowly WFH they have taken their toll.

The new thinking from various major (office based) employers looks to be that the working week could be split 3:2 or 2:3 for those who want it, but ever so many are clamouring to get back full-time.

It is no surprise, really. We are social animals and that interaction with others is vital for the well being and good feelings of many of us - Covid has strengthened that.

I'm not so sure the shine is starting to wear off. Many folk are still saying that they are not missing the stress and cost of commuting.
What I am seeing, however, is a current concerted effort by the Government and some larger employers like Goldman Sacks to force staff to return to work.
Two reasons for that I can think of:
(a) to shore up the otherwise decimated hospitality / retail economies in city areas, and
(b) to start getting passenger income back into the railways - the Government are currently forking out shedloads of money to keep the existing network afloat.

Mick loves working from home, and has been doing it for over 12 years now. Mind you he is in fairly constant contact with colleagues, by phone and IM so isn't lonely....

My sister is in Adult Social Services and has been working from home for almost a year now, as has her husband who works for TFL. Neither of them misses the hurly burly, but then they're both nearly 60. Maybe age is a factor in all this........

I know from the parked cars that many of my neighbours are wfh, and I also know that quite a few cannot wait to get back, even if only for a few days a week.

But, yes, companies and gov't do want people back, but some people do like it for the other reasons mentioned.

I do think that the world of (office) work is changing, but full-time wfh will only be part of it.

I've been so grateful I couldn't work from home. I would hate it. I need the normality of going to work and the camaraderie of my colleagues.

Not convinced I have the self discipline to work from home either

I'm happy to be social at a distance. Doesn't put me up nor down.

I start work for my old boss in Canada this week, if I can (I'll put that on the health board). It has timezone benefits which will suit me, but not Mrs S.