Boss not letting me work from home

JamoLew

liney said:

JamoLew said:

TELLIT01 said:

AskAsk said:

i keep hearing that productivity is improved when people work from home in the media, but from my experience, people are less productive when they work from home as there are distractions at home.  whenever i call someone now and they are working from home, they are often not there to answer the phone or when they do, the call signal is very poor and i can't have a proper conversation with them.

It's not black and white.  Some people have distractions at home, others don't.  I don't see any way a person with children in the house will be as productive when working from home as they would be in an office environment.  On the other hand, somebody with no kids and a dedicated work area at home doesn't have the distraction of the general chat in an office and may actually be more productive.  My wife has all the kit and systems at home that she would have at work, in fact it is the kit she would have at work..

Totally agree - nothing more annoying that trying to hold a video call with someone to see/hear kids running amok in the background - if someones allowing that to happen during a meeting, what is it like usually.
I am fortunate to have a dedicated workspace at home and probably better kit than in work, am probably 15% more productive, but absolutely hate it
WFH isn't for everyone for a variety of reasons

Unfortunately, you can't stick children in a box and lock them away from 9 to 5. When people were forced to work  from home, and childcare was closed, what on earth did you expect? Depending on how old the children are, being in a different room could be neglectful, and irresponsible. I do hope you aren't an employer, or a parent.

I'm talking about yesterday and yes I am a parent and hes grown up to be a very productive 20+ year old thanks with a degree and zero student loans or help from us

He certainly never behaved like this one was

I see nothing wrong in expecting a bit of professionalism from people in work related meetings

I strongly suspect many people are using WFH to save money on childcare rather out of necessity which then brings their productivity into question - something I have raised with my manager who so far has been reluctant to deal with the "problem" - bet you can't guess why - similar scenario

WFH suits different people for different reasons, but it doesn't always benefit the employer

Iamdebtfree

'..from my experience, the sooner everyone can go back to normal and return to the office the better off we will all be'

Ugh god no. Just, no. I don't want to be stuck in a prison cell with cell mates I can't stand, again. I literally am begging the gods and the universe to make offices the thing of the past. 

Too much to say on the subject so I'd better shut up.

Barny1979

Personally working from home means I can screen demands from me at my own pace, rather than people jumping on me as soon as I come into the office and queuing at my desk.

thebrexitunicorn

JamoLew said:

TELLIT01 said:

AskAsk said:

i keep hearing that productivity is improved when people work from home in the media, but from my experience, people are less productive when they work from home as there are distractions at home.  whenever i call someone now and they are working from home, they are often not there to answer the phone or when they do, the call signal is very poor and i can't have a proper conversation with them.

It's not black and white.  Some people have distractions at home, others don't.  I don't see any way a person with children in the house will be as productive when working from home as they would be in an office environment.  On the other hand, somebody with no kids and a dedicated work area at home doesn't have the distraction of the general chat in an office and may actually be more productive.  My wife has all the kit and systems at home that she would have at work, in fact it is the kit she would have at work..

Totally agree - nothing more annoying that trying to hold a video call with someone to see/hear kids running amok in the background - if someones allowing that to happen during a meeting, what is it like usually.
I am fortunate to have a dedicated workspace at home and probably better kit than in work, am probably 15% more productive, but absolutely hate it
WFH isn't for everyone for a variety of reasons

I think the reason people were working and had children around was that the country was in lockdown, schools and nurseries were closed to all apart from children of essential workers and family or friends in a different household couldn’t help out. Also offices were closed.  It was a horrific situation for parents or indeed any careers to be faced with.  They were looking after children, homeschooling and working at their normal job, all at the same time.  It might have been annoying for you, but it was considerably worse for them.  

JCswans

duk3nuk3m said:

I currently have a disagreement with my boss at work. The company I work for is classed as "essential" where some of my colleagues are able to work from home and some are not due to their job roles. During the lockdown earlier this year, I proved that I was able to work from home effectively. Since the 2nd lockdown was announced, my boss is now insisting that I come into the office on a certain number of days and work from home on the other days. Is there anything I can do, as I feel as though my boss is completely disregarding the current guidelines?

My job can be done from home, but we need 2 of us in per day. The building is basically empty bar the odd bits that need overseeing. I hope you get your issue sorted out but this is mine, to be honest it's nice to get out of the house twice a week! 

thebrexitunicorn

JamoLew said:

liney said:

JamoLew said:

TELLIT01 said:

AskAsk said:

i keep hearing that productivity is improved when people work from home in the media, but from my experience, people are less productive when they work from home as there are distractions at home.  whenever i call someone now and they are working from home, they are often not there to answer the phone or when they do, the call signal is very poor and i can't have a proper conversation with them.

It's not black and white.  Some people have distractions at home, others don't.  I don't see any way a person with children in the house will be as productive when working from home as they would be in an office environment.  On the other hand, somebody with no kids and a dedicated work area at home doesn't have the distraction of the general chat in an office and may actually be more productive.  My wife has all the kit and systems at home that she would have at work, in fact it is the kit she would have at work..

Totally agree - nothing more annoying that trying to hold a video call with someone to see/hear kids running amok in the background - if someones allowing that to happen during a meeting, what is it like usually.
I am fortunate to have a dedicated workspace at home and probably better kit than in work, am probably 15% more productive, but absolutely hate it
WFH isn't for everyone for a variety of reasons

Unfortunately, you can't stick children in a box and lock them away from 9 to 5. When people were forced to work  from home, and childcare was closed, what on earth did you expect? Depending on how old the children are, being in a different room could be neglectful, and irresponsible. I do hope you aren't an employer, or a parent.

I'm talking about yesterday and yes I am a parent and hes grown up to be a very productive 20+ year old thanks with a degree and zero student loans or help from us

He certainly never behaved like this one was

I see nothing wrong in expecting a bit of professionalism from people in work related meetings

I strongly suspect many people are using WFH to save money on childcare rather out of necessity which then brings their productivity into question - something I have raised with my manager who so far has been reluctant to deal with the "problem" - bet you can't guess why - similar scenario

WFH suits different people for different reasons, but it doesn't always benefit the employer

If it was yesterday the child may well be having to self isolate, or the school/nursery is closed, or both.  This is a common occurrence.    As a previous poster said, you cannot put children in a box.  The last 9 months has been really hard for many working parents and their children.  I think they should be cut some slack, and congratulated for the fact that they’re still standing. I don’t imagine there are too many who would put themselves through it again to save on childcare. 

AskAsk

Iamdebtfree said:

'..from my experience, the sooner everyone can go back to normal and return to the office the better off we will all be'

Ugh god no. Just, no. I don't want to be stuck in a prison cell with cell mates I can't stand, again. I literally am begging the gods and the universe to make offices the thing of the past. 

Too much to say on the subject so I'd better shut up.

i had to check that you were quoting me! 

i am more productive when i am in the office as i don't wander off doing my own things, and will actually do some blooming work!  i also enjoy going into the office as i get to chat to my colleagues and go out for lunch, go to meetings, just the social aspect of it.  i also work in a team so it is much easier to discuss work with my colleagues face to face.

JamoLew

thebrexitunicorn said:

JamoLew said:

liney said:

JamoLew said:

TELLIT01 said:

AskAsk said:

i keep hearing that productivity is improved when people work from home in the media, but from my experience, people are less productive when they work from home as there are distractions at home.  whenever i call someone now and they are working from home, they are often not there to answer the phone or when they do, the call signal is very poor and i can't have a proper conversation with them.

It's not black and white.  Some people have distractions at home, others don't.  I don't see any way a person with children in the house will be as productive when working from home as they would be in an office environment.  On the other hand, somebody with no kids and a dedicated work area at home doesn't have the distraction of the general chat in an office and may actually be more productive.  My wife has all the kit and systems at home that she would have at work, in fact it is the kit she would have at work..

Totally agree - nothing more annoying that trying to hold a video call with someone to see/hear kids running amok in the background - if someones allowing that to happen during a meeting, what is it like usually.
I am fortunate to have a dedicated workspace at home and probably better kit than in work, am probably 15% more productive, but absolutely hate it
WFH isn't for everyone for a variety of reasons

Unfortunately, you can't stick children in a box and lock them away from 9 to 5. When people were forced to work  from home, and childcare was closed, what on earth did you expect? Depending on how old the children are, being in a different room could be neglectful, and irresponsible. I do hope you aren't an employer, or a parent.

I'm talking about yesterday and yes I am a parent and hes grown up to be a very productive 20+ year old thanks with a degree and zero student loans or help from us

He certainly never behaved like this one was

I see nothing wrong in expecting a bit of professionalism from people in work related meetings

I strongly suspect many people are using WFH to save money on childcare rather out of necessity which then brings their productivity into question - something I have raised with my manager who so far has been reluctant to deal with the "problem" - bet you can't guess why - similar scenario

WFH suits different people for different reasons, but it doesn't always benefit the employer

If it was yesterday the child may well be having to self isolate, or the school/nursery is closed, or both.  This is a common occurrence.    As a previous poster said, you cannot put children in a box.  The last 9 months has been really hard for many working parents and their children.  I think they should be cut some slack, and congratulated for the fact that they’re still standing. I don’t imagine there are too many who would put themselves through it again to save on childcare. 

why are you making stuff up when I'm the one who knows the facts - here they are:
Lets call this colleague person A

I work in a small team, A,B,C and D
Our productivity is measurable
We all work the same hours
Person A has always been the least productive (someone has to be) - 
Since March, Person As productivity has dropped ~30% and has remained at that level
since
B and C has increased ~10-30% and D remained the same
People B,C and D are having to pick up the slack
The child is 4
The child is NOT self isolating, nor are other family members
Person As partner does NOT work
The child is constantly running around, screaming and shouting when in meetings
(bear in mind we deal with highly confidential information so NO-ONE else should be viewing it)

Now tell me who's benefiting from this ?
it certainly doesn't help those who are genuinely struggling
people blatantly taking the mick like this need taking to task and not defending 

Barny1979

AskAsk said:

Iamdebtfree said:

'..from my experience, the sooner everyone can go back to normal and return to the office the better off we will all be'

Ugh god no. Just, no. I don't want to be stuck in a prison cell with cell mates I can't stand, again. I literally am begging the gods and the universe to make offices the thing of the past. 

Too much to say on the subject so I'd better shut up.

  i also enjoy going into the office as i get to chat to my colleagues 

So not productive at times in the office either?

AnotherJoe

AskAsk said:

Dizzy_Ditzy said:

We are a team of three and need to have one person covering the office every day. Two of us do two days and the other does the odd one.  Our jobs are 90% doable from home but we need to deal with post and face to face queries. Maybe thats why your employer wants you to be in the office? You really need to speak to your employer to ask them why 
Speaking for myself, I quite enjoy my office days - its a chance to have a "semi" sort of normal, with other people that you can chat do and laugh with and commiserate with! 

i used to work one day a week at home and 4 days in the office at my old place.  i had no distraction at home, except myself as i could never get motivated enough to do anything and would just leave the work and go and do other things instead.  of course i never told my employer this!  but when you are home and there are so many other interesting things that you could do instead of working, who wouldn't just put work aside if you can and go and do something else instead??

it depends, when i had reports or presentations to do i could get on and complete without interruption at home, it would take me several times longer in the office.