Employer refusing to allow working from home

ToxicWomble

unforeseen said:

ToxicWomble said:

Who determines the “can” though - the employer I would suggest

Can you work from home effectively if you have your laptop on a coffee table or in your lap? Or while having young children running around (sometimes because you cancelled childcare because you are WFH) ? Just 2 common examples of the situation people are finding themselves in. 
I would say the answer to that is NO.

Totally agree but for some there is no choice as the workplace can’t be Covid safe.
I think people were more tolerant in dealing with the issues you mention initially-  but that patience is wearing thin from all viewpoints now.
At least it is from mine when I see how others are working and that their productivity and efficacy is obviously being impacted.

Undervalued

unforeseen said:

ToxicWomble said:

Who determines the “can” though - the employer I would suggest

Can you work from home effectively if you have your laptop on a coffee table or in your lap? Or while having young children running around (sometimes because you cancelled childcare because you are WFH) ? Just 2 common examples of the situation people are finding themselves in. 
I would say the answer to that is NO.

Working from home is not an excuse to cancel childcare. If the employee genuinely can't get childcare because of the Covid situation then the employer may show some latitude. Otherwise it is the employee being greedy, particularly as they are already saving money on travel costs (unless they walk or cycle to work).

Covid aside, I am all in favour of a move to partial or full home working, where the job can be done just as effectively from home. If it can, then it is a win / win situation for both the employer and employee. It is obviously better for the environment, which ultimately benefits everybody. Commuting long distances just to sit at a computer or be on the telephone is crazy. Obviously though many jobs are not suitable, although many could still be worked at least partly from home.

However it needs trust and far too many employees are exploiting the opportunity by pocketing the often significant savings then giving little or nothing in return.