Working from home opinions

Ditzy_Mitzy

TELLIT01 said:

Although I accept that working from home during Covid was unavoidable, I don't like it in general.  Some people are disciplined enough to compartmentalise the day so work time is work time, and nothing else.  Answering the door is one thing, as breaks should be taken, but going to the shops???

On the subject of overly long phone conversations, simply say you need to get on assuming the reason for initial call has been handled.

I don't see that going to the shops during one's allotted breaktime during a home working day is any different from an office worker leaving the building at lunchtime and visiting a shop.  I used to do all sorts of shopping at lunchtimes when I worked in a town centre office, it was a useful perk of the job.  

DontBringBertie

JReacher1 said:

Without the distractions of being in the office I can do my normal 8 hour day worth of work in about 5 hours. The main tip I have is to put the teams app on your phone as you can answer queries if you’re not at your desk. Creates the illusion of you being sat there working. 

Also - if you create your own personal teams account, you can ring yourself and your status appears as ‘on a call’ and can get on with things without being interrupted.

mcpitman

Hi, I've been working from home since "before it was trendy".

I think the main thing is compromise and understanding on both sides of the agreement.

I am relatively senior, so do manage my own time which makes it easier, however I don't micro manage my team either.

The main change for me was going from 40k+ commuting miles and the time that change gives you back.

I have no issue with my team making coffees during calls, putting a washload on or doing the school run, so long as they manage expectations accordingly.

mcpitman

DontBringBertie said:

JReacher1 said:

Without the distractions of being in the office I can do my normal 8 hour day worth of work in about 5 hours. The main tip I have is to put the teams app on your phone as you can answer queries if you’re not at your desk. Creates the illusion of you being sat there working. 

Also - if you create your own personal teams account, you can ring yourself and your status appears as ‘on a call’ and can get on with things without being interrupted.

Possibly one of the quickest ways to get sacked is dishonesty. If your core role is not "on the phone" this would stick out like a sore thumb to any half witted employer.

Just put your self on DND or busy.

GiantTCR

Van_Girl said:

TELLIT01 said:

Van_Girl said:

I'm sure employers might have a different opinion, but I've never much been interested in what they think 

Good luck with that attitude if you ever have to take an office based job.

I'm a highly qualified specialist, so I have no worries in that regard

The point is, I work in the best way that suits me, and I think there's a lot to be said for more flexibility

The problems come when you don't produce the work that is required of you during your work day / week, regardless of how it's structured 

Same as you, I am a highly qualified specialist and I'm great at what I do.

As long as the work is done in the timeline I give clients, nobody questions me.

And just like you, I do all sorts of things while working from home:
- grocery shopping
- walk the dog
- watch stuff on netflix

Envious people will just say we're lucky, but luck doesn't matter here, we worked hard to be in the position we're in.