Topic: Working From Home

[ToneLa]

Coffee and cheese is fairly distracting to be fair. Not as much as coffee and crisps....

Sometimes for lunch I get a Greggs delivery or similar and I have to time it to not interfere with meetings

And here's the prime minister saying it's normal to, like, spent 20 minutes looking for a packet of monster munch lol

Thing about being remote is. You have to be trusted but also keep that trust.

I wouldn't have Johnson on my team. I'd be asking what he does with his time

[Felch Aid]

Daily Mail can't help but labour this WFH point and Boris is now running with it.

Plenty of office based workers were hybrid before the pandemic and the whole thing was accelerated

My employer can grow the business but is keeping the same premises with desk share.

The way work was always going to change but the work shy allegations mean nothing and won't be a vote winner. Granted it might be an issue with rent and surrounding shops relying on footfall but nothing stays the same forever ffs.

[KevLFC]

I always wonder what happens at home if you had poor productivity etc maybe caused by shit wi fi or distracted by kids, does the employer force you back into work full time as punishment or would that be a breach of human rights? After all there are people that could actually lie, er sorry boss but my Internet is not working this pm or my child been unwell etc at the same time be chilling out.

[Barneylfc∗]

I always wonder what happens at home if you had poor productivity etc maybe caused by shit wi fi or distracted by kids, does the employer force you back into work full time as punishment or would that be a breach of human rights? After all there are people that could actually lie, er sorry boss but my Internet is not working this pm or my child been unwell etc at the same time be chilling out.

In ours, if you've a one off or seldom then it's fine. If you've internet issues repeatedly you'll be told to work in the office until they're resolved.
If you've kid issues that prevent you from working then take leave.

[PaulF]

I find school holidays hard. Mine are old enough not to bother me, but as everyone else is off it's tough to focus. I end up taking a lot of breaks to see what fun everyone else is having. Admittedly they are playing Roblox too much, bit I am missing the separation of not having an office this week .
Even worse this week as so many get the bank hols too!

[RainbowFlick]

ironically was offered an interview in a company that specialise in setting up people to work anywhere in the world  somewhat tempted but it'd be a paycut. i'm perm WFH now but i do like the idea of this new company allowing WFH *anywhere* without judgment.

[Machae]

Tube strikes this morning just re-affirms people not wanting to work in the office full time

[paulrazor]

I always wonder what happens at home if you had poor productivity etc maybe caused by shit wi fi or distracted by kids, does the employer force you back into work full time as punishment or would that be a breach of human rights? After all there are people that could actually lie, er sorry boss but my Internet is not working this pm or my child been unwell etc at the same time be chilling out.

have had both

Internet a few weeks ago, i was getting it upgraded, waited over a month for appointment, had hoped i could use my phone as a hotspot but no joy. I told my manager and just said as I was offline I would take a half day for the morning. they were cool

As for kids, the absolute worst day I had and management were sound about it, the kid was being an absolute bollicks. He was awake looking for me before I even had a chance to clock in and eat my breakfast, throughout the day he had pissed himself in bed meaning I had to clean him up and the bed. He wrecked the blinds in sun room, threw fabreze all over new furniture, while I am cleaning up after him he pissed in his potty and threw it all in a sink rather than the bog.

At least 20 times during the day I sat down at the laptop to work and before I could type two words he screamed in my face. I wouldnt say I got 45 minutes work done all day, then just for good measure I had to leave early as when I wasnt looking he swallowed a euro coin and we had to make him sick and take him to a+e.

I actually said to my manager that she should just take the day off me considering I couldnt do any work, she refused too and just let it go.

From then on I just got his grandparents to mind him while I worked. The following day by 1030 I had more work done than I had in the whole of the previous day.

If busy childminding AND wfh doesnt work

I find school holidays hard. Mine are old enough not to bother me, but as everyone else is off it's tough to focus. I end up taking a lot of breaks to see what fun everyone else is having. Admittedly they are playing Roblox too much, bit I am missing the separation of not having an office this week .
Even worse this week as so many get the bank hols too!

Actually the Mrs can be just as bad, sees your busy and you ask her to stay away
"can you watch him while I have a shower"
"I have a zoom at 12 so you need to mind him"
"are you making lunch"
"are you making dinner"
"im off out shopping"
"can you give him a bath"
"can you feed him"

[PaulF]

Definitely need to have a supportive partner that understands you are working. Though if they come in and find you looking at a "tractor catalogue", that's it you're f*cked.

[paulrazor]

Definitely need to have a supportive partner that understands you are working. Though if they come in and find you looking at a "tractor catalogue", that's it you're f*cked.

There is a lot of things they could catch me doing but that certainly wouldnt be one of them

[Jiminy Cricket]

Definitely need to have a supportive partner that understands you are working. Though if they come in and find you looking at a "tractor catalogue", that's it you're f*cked.

[ToneLa]

61% of Londoners think working from home has made them happier

- Kings College study

[rob1966]

61% of Londoners think working from home has made them happier

- Kings College study

Can't be having happy people, get them back into work.

[-Willo-]

I walked in on someone moaning about me going for lunch early in the office today, I went at 12:28 instead of 12:30 because I had just finished writing an email.

I need a permanent WFH job away from absolute weirdos.

[paulrazor]

I walked in on someone moaning about me going for lunch early in the office today, I went at 12:28 instead of 12:30 because I had just finished writing an email.

I need a permanent WFH job away from absolute weirdos.

very definition of micro management

used to have that from a few in work, what annoyed me was a week later they'd clock in at 1 and yet would yap so much on the corridor you wouldnt see them at their desk for another 40 minutes.

[-Willo-]

very definition of micro management

used to have that from a few in work, what annoyed me was a week later they'd clock in at 1 and yet would yap so much on the corridor you wouldnt see them at their desk for another 40 minutes.

Not even a manager thats the best bit, couple of accountants who sit in the same office space as me, I am not even in their department.

Office mentality of most is so weird, they don't mind if people above them take the piss or anything, but if someone on their level does anything petty like go for 2 brews in 10 mins, straight on it.

Will be looking tonight for a permanent WFH job, final straw for me that, imagine being arsed if someone nips off 2 mins early, its beyond mental.

[Kalito]

I walked in on someone moaning about me going for lunch early in the office today, I went at 12:28 instead of 12:30 because I had just finished writing an email.

I need a permanent WFH job away from absolute weirdos.

Sad bastards. What a fucking joke.

Hope you told them where to stick it!

[PaulF]

I just be thankful that I'm too busy to notice what other people are doing!

[Kalito]

I just be thankful that I'm too busy to notice what other people are doing!

It's how it should be. Good on you!

[I've been a good boy]

That sounds like a really toxic environment. I work with a c*nt like that as well who takes his job too seriously and will grass anyone up for any little thing.

I was actually applying for some jobs today as I wfh full-time but the cost of living is forcing my hand so need something with better pay, but that post has put me off now.

[-Willo-]

That sounds like a really toxic environment. I work with a c*nt like that as well who takes his job too seriously and will grass anyone up for any little thing.

I was actually applying for some jobs today as I wfh full-time but the cost of living is forcing my hand so need something with better pay, but that post has put me off now.

Of course not every office is like mine, but I'd say the majority are mate, 2 people recently joined our office who were permanently WFH and they are already regretting it, I think they'd snap your hand off to return to their perm WFH jobs.

[PaulF]

Does anyone manage to successfully work in their garden? I can never get the benefit of the sun without the screen being caught in the glare.

[thaddeus]

Of course not every office is like mine, but I'd say the majority are mate, 2 people recently joined our office who were permanently WFH and they are already regretting it, I think they'd snap your hand off to return to their perm WFH jobs.

A colleague in a different section of the company I work for works from home the majority of the time (as most of us do and is still being mandated by the chief exec) but his boss makes their whole team have webcams on permanently.  He's shown me IMs from his boss about ridiculous things like how much time he spends petting his dog.  Clearly the manager - on about £75k/year - has nothing better to do than stare at a screen of webcams all day.  Rees-Mogg comes to mind.

I'd still take WFH over office 9-5 in almost every instance but, as with most jobs, the person managing you will make or break the job.

[Crosby Nick]

A colleague in a different section of the company I work for works from home the majority of the time (as most of us do and is still being mandated by the chief exec) but his boss makes their whole team have webcams on permanently.  He's shown me IMs from his boss about ridiculous things like how much time he spends petting his dog.  Clearly the manager - on about £75k/year - has nothing better to do than stare at a screen of webcams all day.  Rees-Mogg comes to mind.

I'd still take WFH over office 9-5 every day but, as with most jobs, the person managing you will make or break the job.

That’s ridiculous. I do t think I could agree to that, partly because they’d see how long I spend away from the laptop!

Short sharp bursts of concentration!

[rob1966]

Does anyone manage to successfully work in their garden? I can never get the benefit of the sun without the screen being caught in the glare.

No, I can't get it set right either. Did have a monitor out there the other week and it was sort of OK, but still not really good enough.

[paulrazor]

Not even a manager thats the best bit, couple of accountants who sit in the same office space as me, I am not even in their department.

Office mentality of most is so weird, they don't mind if people above them take the piss or anything, but if someone on their level does anything petty like go for 2 brews in 10 mins, straight on it.

Will be looking tonight for a permanent WFH job, final straw for me that, imagine being arsed if someone nips off 2 mins early, its beyond mental.

I remember getting a few sarky comments one day because I had the cheek to have a cup of tea while I work
"well for some to be on break isnt it"
"erm not actually on break, if you would like to come around and look at my screen you are more than welcome too"

Kept going on "well for some to be on break isnt it, drinking tea"
"The work is being done, what difference is it if I have tea, coffee, water, ill even have a beer if I feel like it but I am still working, you are the one who keeps going on about breaks."

Again "well for some to be on break"
"erm how many times have I to say it, I am working here"
"and what were you working when you made that cup?"
"no but I was only gone 2 minutes"
"2 minutes you could have been working"
"big deal"
"you really should have clocked out"
"and do you clock out when you spend half an hour doing your make up?"

"well for you to be on break"
"I am actually working, well for me to be on break? It is well for you to fuck off up town shopping for 2 hours every day while the rest of us take half hour lunches, dont mention that whatever you do"
"well if you want a longer lunch you will just have to come in earlier every morning for a change"
"why would I do that? So I can sit watching you eat a bowl of corn flakes, I am fucked if I am coming in early to watch that"

Put her in her place. Gobshite

[-Willo-]

I remember getting a few sarky comments one day because I had the cheek to have a cup of tea while I work
"well for some to be on break isnt it"
"erm not actually on break, if you would like to come around and look at my screen you are more than welcome too"

Kept going on "well for some to be on break isnt it, drinking tea"
"The work is being done, what difference is it if I have tea, coffee, water, ill even have a beer if I feel like it but I am still working, you are the one who keeps going on about breaks."

Again "well for some to be on break"
"erm how many times have I to say it, I am working here"
"and what were you working when you made that cup?"
"no but I was only gone 2 minutes"
"2 minutes you could have been working"
"big deal"
"you really should have clocked out"
"and do you clock out when you spend half an hour doing your make up?"

"well for you to be on break"
"I am actually working, well for me to be on break? It is well for you to fuck off up town shopping for 2 hours every day while the rest of us take half hour lunches, dont mention that whatever you do"
"well if you want a longer lunch you will just have to come in earlier every morning for a change"
"why would I do that? So I can sit watching you eat a bowl of corn flakes, I am fucked if I am coming in early to watch that"

Put her in her place. Gobshite

Same people who moan about it often have multiple breaks in the day talking at their desk, its just some ways to have a break are frowned upon by these idiot hypocrites... Special breed they are.

Nobody wants to be in work as it is, so why do people feel the need to make it that little bit worse.

Glad I am not alone with idiot co-workers though.

[rob1966]

I remember getting a few sarky comments one day because I had the cheek to have a cup of tea while I work

Put her in her place. Gobshite

Fucking hell, she spent longer moaning about you having a brew than you spent making and drinking it

I couldn't work in a place like that, always been lucky that in our office, making and drinking brews, eating dinner while working was always OK, never been micromanaged thank fuck - I'd have jacked the job years ago if it was like that.

[paulrazor]

Same people who moan about it often have multiple breaks in the day talking at their desk, its just some ways to have a break are frowned upon by these idiot hypocrites... Special breed they are.

Nobody wants to be in work as it is, so why do people feel the need to make it that little bit worse.

Glad I am not alone with idiot co-workers though.

yeah some of the things down the years when I think about it

A manager coming back from lunch 45 minutes late giving out to me because I left the office unattended. I only did that as I had been waiting over an hour for her to come back so I could go for a piss and left as I was fed up waiting and only short of pissing myself.

Same day, she had left the office unattended while I was on lunch so she could read a paper.

When she was giving out to me I didnt say a word I was just stunned. When she was giving out to me she was still standing there with her coat on, her PC was off because she had been gone that long. Manys a time she left the office empty because she wanted to go for a walk or go shopping, yet I get lashed out of it because I didnt want to wet myself.

You mention breaks, I do recall someone piping up once about "smoke breaks" as it was unfair on some who didnt smoke, one of the smokers put his hand up "what about your chat breaks". Your one went bright red. She wasnt even a good worker herself, be lucky if you got 2 hours work a day out of her.

Fucking hell, she spent longer moaning about you having a brew than you spent making and drinking it

I couldn't work in a place like that, always been lucky that in our office, making and drinking brews, eating dinner while working was always OK, never been micromanaged thank fuck - I'd have jacked the job years ago if it was like that.

she did yeah ironically enough, but that shut her up.

[Jiminy Cricket]

Does anyone manage to successfully work in their garden? I can never get the benefit of the sun without the screen being caught in the glare.

No, I can't get it set right either. Did have a monitor out there the other week and it was sort of OK, but still not really good enough.

Something like this, perhaps?

https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Laptop-Sun-Shade-Visor/dp/B07BXDX63G

[Elmo!]

Short sharp bursts of concentration!

Followed by closing your RAWK tab for a while?

[thaddeus]

Something like this, perhaps?

https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Laptop-Sun-Shade-Visor/dp/B07BXDX63G

Good lord!  It'd have to be some kind of special weather for me to want to attach that thing to my laptop.

My brother put a picture on Facebook of him watching Eurovision in the garden.  He'd carried the TV stand and TV outside then put them both in a massive cardboard box that his barbeque came in.  He's generally a sensible man and pretty handy with things but that one was lost on me.

[Crosby Nick]

Followed by closing your RAWK tab for a while?

Don’t be silly. It’s always open in my phone.

[Jiminy Cricket]

Good lord!  It'd have to be some kind of special weather for me to want to attach that thing to my laptop.

My brother put a picture on Facebook of him watching Eurovision in the garden.  He'd carried the TV stand and TV outside then put them both in a massive cardboard box that his barbeque came in.  He's generally a sensible man and pretty handy with things but that one was lost on me.

I'm hearing you. Does this work for you?



 

[PaulF]

I'm hearing you. Does this work for you?



 

That's awesome!

[Jiminy Cricket]

That's awesome!

Joking aside, who cares what it looks like. If it works and you are comfortable, what does it matter. With that second style, it should allow the webcam to work better - the earlier screen would crop a lot of the viewing field from the top and perhaps some from the sides.

Edit: I guess I should add a link:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/WISARO-Laptop-Sun-Shade-Lightweight/dp/B09QD39H2D/ref=sr_1_4?crid=M0B8XY9BPAUQ&keywords=laptop+sun+shade&qid=1654773902&sprefix=laptop+sun+sh%2Caps%2C71&sr=8-4

2nd edit: You know, you could just use a cardboard box to test it out in principle. Or, even just use a cardboard indefinitely. After all, it is just your garden.

[rob1966]

Something like this, perhaps?

https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Laptop-Sun-Shade-Visor/dp/B07BXDX63G

Fuck paying for that, I've got loads of boxes in the garage, I can make one out of one of those

Good lord!  It'd have to be some kind of special weather for me to want to attach that thing to my laptop.

My brother put a picture on Facebook of him watching Eurovision in the garden.  He'd carried the TV stand and TV outside then put them both in a massive cardboard box that his barbeque came in.  He's generally a sensible man and pretty handy with things but that one was lost on me.

The telly in the box, or watching Eurovision? 

[thaddeus]

Joking aside, who cares what it looks like. If it works and you are comfortable, what does it matter. With that second style, it should allow the webcam to work better - the earlier screen would crop a lot of the viewing field from the top and perhaps some from the sides.

It was more the functionality (and cost!) than the appearance that put me off.  For the first one you'd need your head at the same level as your screen - tapping away on your keyboard with your hands just under your chin  .  The laptop tent is definitely a better design.

I'm probably just lazy but I can barely be bothered with unplugging my laptop and paraphernalia to move from my office (/pit) to the lounge.  Having to set it up for the garden is just too much.

The telly in the box, or watching Eurovision? 

Both!

[Drinks Sangria]

We do 2 wfh days a week and mostly that's been pretty smooth sailing. My staff is about 20 people and by and large I trust them and they reciprocate by doing their jobs to as good a standard at home as they do in the office.

I've had a few complaints though about one specific staff member and when doing a deep dive into what's she's up to, it's essentially fuck all when she's at home. I let the team managers do their own team's productivity and all that shite, but I need to have a firm word with this specific person because her only doing about 60% of a job when she's not in the office under some form of supervision isn't good enough and will jeopardise everyone (myself included) being able to wfh at least some of the week).

Going to keep it to myself at this stage because if my Director gets a sense that wfh is a reason less is getting done, she'll order us all in 5 days a week, which is an absolute pain in the arse for me.

Literally ever other team member is with 10% of their usual work load and most of them actually a little better at home. She's doing 40% less at home than she should be.

[red_Mark1980]

People can say all they like about working for large corporate entities.

My work are trialling a few different ways of working. I'm part of a a trial starting a nine day fortnight from next week. We aren't in effect doing compressed hours.

Basically we are being trusted to get the work done in nine days