Return to Workplace

Thrugelmir

sheramber said:

Thrugelmir said:

sheramber said:

dannyrst said:

So, kind of opposite to most questions on this topic...

My workplace are saying nobody can return to the office (if they can work from home) until January next year. My question is, if the government change advice to remove the "work from home" guidance, can companies continue to (indefinitely) force people to work from home?

I'm struggling to find any information on this topic.

What constitutes  'if they can work from home'.

A health and safety risk assessment maybe deemed necessary.  

Not if all restrictions have been lifted.

Employers have the same responsibilities to homeworkers as they do to those who work in offices. 

ripplyuk

A_Flock_Of_Sheep said:

Seems pointless having offices when people can work from home. Same with schools. Why bother with loads of schools when one teacher can deliver lessons via the internet to thousands of children across the land.

It’s a free babysitting service. That’s the real reason. 

Large rural areas of Australia have always used remote/online schooling. Their kids grow up just fine. 

Brie

Have you asked your employer why next January??  Maybe they are doing some major reno work like removing asbestos that is best done with as few people wafting about as possible.  

Meanwhile my employer has (quelle surprise!) announced they are shutting 2 sites but reassuringly have said no redundancies due to the number of people who like to WFH.  The nearest alternative sites are both about least 30 miles away which could very easily add an hours commute to those that do need to go into the office.

Bobo_Brazil

Barny1979 said:

A_Flock_Of_Sheep said:

Seems pointless having offices when people can work from home. Same with schools. Why bother with loads of schools when one teacher can deliver lessons via the internet to thousands of children across the land.

I presume this is flippant, as how do people working from home deal with having their children around all the time too? I know the last year they have, but that's a short term situation, also what about those parents who cannot work from home?

If you work from home with children around, bear in mind it will only be temporary. Happened to a friend of mine recently, worked for a major UK company. A big % of the workforce were in favour of the work from home, sitting having cups of tea in their PJ's, having a whale of a time. Now most employees have just been told their jobs have been outsourced, a couple of continents away.

kuratowski

The anecdote above is why I am quite relieved that my employer is proposing everyone should go back to the office for "a minimum of 3 days a week" in future.

Baxter100

Bobo_Brazil said:

Barny1979 said:

A_Flock_Of_Sheep said:

Seems pointless having offices when people can work from home. Same with schools. Why bother with loads of schools when one teacher can deliver lessons via the internet to thousands of children across the land.

I presume this is flippant, as how do people working from home deal with having their children around all the time too? I know the last year they have, but that's a short term situation, also what about those parents who cannot work from home?

If you work from home with children around, bear in mind it will only be temporary. Happened to a friend of mine recently, worked for a major UK company. A big % of the workforce were in favour of the work from home, sitting having cups of tea in their PJ's, having a whale of a time. Now most employees have just been told their jobs have been outsourced, a couple of continents away.

Yes this will begin to happen a large scale unfortunately. 'The office' is why so many jobs in this country have hung around when they could easily have been automated/outsourced abroad.