hopesoboro
Well-known member
I'm not surprised after 22 years!
Future of Commercial Property Market
- Thread starter Cardiffdaffs
- Start date
Konrad_the_Barbarian
Well-known member
I had the opportunity to work from home in my last job. Most of my colleagues in the UK doing the same job all opted to do so but I just did not want to. The informal networking you do at the coffee machine, sticking your head into someones office or someone popping in to see you is invaluable. There is also the feeling of social isolation (ironic I know) that I wanted to avoid. I liked the people I worked with, enjoyed the craic and I really believe that going into work was beneficial for my mental health.
Each to their own I suppose.
1finny
Well-known member
There is a bit of ‘each to their own’.
Having said that there is no doubt in my mind, and some of my colleagues, that WFH has meant less collaboration and engagement. It has held us back for sure.
Trying to work out a way forward as we speak.
Paterson
Well-known member
I've been at home for the past two months and worked harder than I've ever done in an office. I think a lot of people have been involving me in things just to show that they are doing something. Hopefully that would drop off eventually. I'm fairly antisocial so the isolation suits me but I work with a lot of Italians and their working day in the office is primarily socializing, they have circuits of chit chat. It's the way they do business though, through relationships built on F***ing about all day. I suspect that most of them can't wait to get back to work.
swordtrombonefish
Well-known member
That is interesting as I've found the opposite - if someone needs me they jump on Skype / Teams and we get things done immediately instead of having a meeting about it. As a team we'd already decided that no more than 2 minutes are spent any morning on F2F stand ups, if there is an issue a pop-up team from the required expert domains s created to address it and then dissolved. Works just as well virtually.
I guess some people do like the F2F experience but I couldn't care less, nice to see people occasionally but for me I'd sooner work extra time (and often do) than spend soul destroying wasted hours of my life every week in traffic.
Subbuteo_171
Well-known member
7 weeks in, busier than ever but much more productive as I can be selective about who I talk to. Having worked in the same business for 20 odd years I get an awful lot of walk up traffic asking questions such as “why do we do x”, “when did y happen” and “remember z I bumped into her yesterday”. Mostly gone now.
When this all settles down my plan is 2 days in the office, 2 days at home and a day off. Same total hours, less commuting time so much better balance.
When this all settles down my plan is 2 days in the office, 2 days at home and a day off. Same total hours, less commuting time so much better balance.
NYboro
Well-known member
I get those, but at least I can just put myself on mute and get on with useful stuff.
Malaguena
Well-known member
If I may be so bold, and not knowing your type of business, maybe that's because it hasn't happened as a managed decision, but's been imposed on you by default.
I've been contracting for over 12 years, after working as an employee for a number of blue chips in the 20 years before that, and I've insisted since the day I set up on my own that at least half of my time on contracts is working away from the office (work / life balance, which was the main reason I got off the treadmill). The type of work I do means that there's no actual reason for me to be physically in an office all the time. Equally however, I thought I couldn't do it 100% remotely, but these last couple of months have proved it can be done, if the client enables it technically. - and meetings, collaboration, and (consultant bull5hit warning) engaging and managing stakeholders is key to what I do
"Working from home" isn't a set of instructions - it's a state of mind, and personally it wouldn't bother me if I never saw the inside of an office again
Borobarmy
Well-known member
sorry but had to smile at the end of your post as what it needs is an image of you in a Olly Hardy arms folded stance uttering Mmm um
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Redwurzel
Well-known member
I would imagine a lot of you lot have established working relationships prior to WFH. It may be more difficult for new member of staff who hasn't an established network and working relationships etc. With time an organisation would need more and more brand new staff.
When I have worked from home I have found it quite isolated, but that was before these days of reliable and relative easy to use video conferencing. I made many friends through work and I always thought this was easier face to face in the same location. Quite a lot of people in recent years have met their life partner through work.
I also found I learnt more, working closer to people as you could ask them quickly how do I do this? asking a computer often doesn't work for me as well.
I used to find working from home for a full day was difficult because home was not work and had more distractions. Psychologically I found it easier to work from a workplace which was not home. Additionally not everyone can afford to dedicate a whole room to work. I found I was most productive with admin type duties when working at work, when others were not there.
I agree working from home saves on commuting and saves businesses money on premises and helps some looking after family members.
When I have worked from home I have found it quite isolated, but that was before these days of reliable and relative easy to use video conferencing. I made many friends through work and I always thought this was easier face to face in the same location. Quite a lot of people in recent years have met their life partner through work.
I also found I learnt more, working closer to people as you could ask them quickly how do I do this? asking a computer often doesn't work for me as well.
I used to find working from home for a full day was difficult because home was not work and had more distractions. Psychologically I found it easier to work from a workplace which was not home. Additionally not everyone can afford to dedicate a whole room to work. I found I was most productive with admin type duties when working at work, when others were not there.
I agree working from home saves on commuting and saves businesses money on premises and helps some looking after family members.
Malaguena
Well-known member
All this is true Red - I have an area set up in the living room that's my "office", and make sure I separate work from home e.g. switching off the work laptop, phone etc. Ironically, I probably work longer hours at home than if I was in an office - the "I'll just finish this bit off" syndrome. Also helps that my kids have either left home (number 1) or busy with their own schoolwork / friends (number 2) so not wanting attention.
I was 2 weeks into my current contract when the lockdown started, so at least I'd physically met some of the people I'm working with, but the rest I've since "met" by Microsoft Teams or Skype for Business - seems to be working fine.
We've had to make some major adjustments to allow us both to WFH successfully, it just wasn't working with both of us at the dining table, especially when we are both on calls/teams. We managed for 4 weeks but far from ideal. Then I got furloughed so have spent quite a lot of time and money rearranging the house to allow us both a separate workplace, I return to work on Monday with 1 day each week in the office and 4 from home. None of my team are in the office together, we're working on a rota, so each of us has one day in, but there will be a handful of guys from other teams at the same time. I've cleared the loft out and we bought a desk, 2nd screen, all the stuff you would have in a normal office and Mrs Fufkin has moved up there. I've cleared out the little bedroom and got a desk for me to work in there
our company was ahead of the curve with regard to preparing to return to work, there was already clicking on by key fob rather than the hand scanner, we have a one way system in place, we have a guy meticulously cleaning any surface such as door handles, communal printers and the like very frequently. We have also been provided with masks for those that want to wear them in the office. I think they've been really good and proactive with this. Production shifts are staggered and there are gaps inbetween so there isn't a large number of people congregating in one place at the same time. We're a production facility so it is not possible to maintain 2m 100% of the time for some non-profits staff
You have to give credit where it's due and I think our company have done a good job overall. Whether or not WFH becomes part of the norm though I'm not sure, it's not a practice we have engaged in prior to C19 and we rent a whole unit so there's nothing to be gained by getting people to WFH when some normality returns as we're paying for the space anyway
i do find some stuff harder to do such is the nature of our business, sometimes you need boots on the floor and you have to go onto the production floor to find out information. and miss seeing some of my colleagues. Most stuff can be done successfully from home. I do find myself working longer hours and can get some things done more quickly, others less so. I suppose going forward a good balance is required: 3 days in, 2 from home would work well for me
our company was ahead of the curve with regard to preparing to return to work, there was already clicking on by key fob rather than the hand scanner, we have a one way system in place, we have a guy meticulously cleaning any surface such as door handles, communal printers and the like very frequently. We have also been provided with masks for those that want to wear them in the office. I think they've been really good and proactive with this. Production shifts are staggered and there are gaps inbetween so there isn't a large number of people congregating in one place at the same time. We're a production facility so it is not possible to maintain 2m 100% of the time for some non-profits staff
You have to give credit where it's due and I think our company have done a good job overall. Whether or not WFH becomes part of the norm though I'm not sure, it's not a practice we have engaged in prior to C19 and we rent a whole unit so there's nothing to be gained by getting people to WFH when some normality returns as we're paying for the space anyway
i do find some stuff harder to do such is the nature of our business, sometimes you need boots on the floor and you have to go onto the production floor to find out information. and miss seeing some of my colleagues. Most stuff can be done successfully from home. I do find myself working longer hours and can get some things done more quickly, others less so. I suppose going forward a good balance is required: 3 days in, 2 from home would work well for me
Laughing
Well-known member
I have always worked from home about 50% of the time. Clients seem to insist on some time at their office, for no real discernable reason. They are paying a lot of money for my time and want to see me there.
I prefer to split my time from home/office because like many others, I miss the social interactions. Also my proffession means my wife and family don't understand what I do, so it is difficult to bitch and moan to the wife as she doesn't understand the way colleagues do.
We are essentially social creatures and as someone alluded to, it is good for us to have social interactions with colleagues who are intimately familiar with the daily trials of our working environment.
I prefer to split my time from home/office because like many others, I miss the social interactions. Also my proffession means my wife and family don't understand what I do, so it is difficult to bitch and moan to the wife as she doesn't understand the way colleagues do.
We are essentially social creatures and as someone alluded to, it is good for us to have social interactions with colleagues who are intimately familiar with the daily trials of our working environment.
Yep agreed, this would be a major plus in my view as my 10 mile commute takes an hour or so normally. In the likely event of no pay rise as well for the foreseeable, this would offset that and I think would show the company favourably
1finny
Well-known member
thanks for that - some really good points
In short - I've spent 40 odd years in an environment where people can walk up to each other's desk and share a problem/idea etc. We are in a pretty dynamic market place - loads of customers, loads of complexity, loads of opportunity to do things better.
I'm pretty sure there will be a way we can incorporate WFH and continue to do a great job - just got to work it out.
And, for sure, if we had more planning time we'd have done things differently.
JM14
Well-known member
Would probably allow alot of families to cut down to running 1 car instead of 2. Huge environmental impact if its encouraged UK wide too
boromike85
Well-known member
My lease ran out yesterday and I could have extended but I don't need it at the moment so the longer lockdown lasts the more I save on not making a car payment. That's on top of fuel. That said, I seem to be one of the few people who enjoys commuting. It's one of my favourite times of day to be honest. 45 mins of chilling out and listening to music/podcast/audiobook etc. I do like a bit more of a lie-in though. I've managed to be late for work a few times even with a 10 second commute across the landing.
Laughing
Well-known member
It's not jus that JM, though that is a good point. If office space is limited, and reduces in the future that free's up real estate, uses less power,w e use less petrol, we will need less trains, less paper, less prepacked sandwiches, less plastic cups, less McDonalds. We would essentially be reducing the throwaway world we live in whilst in an office.
I also believe that the reductions would be huge!
I also believe that the reductions would be huge!
A colleague of mine said she was late for work when WFH because she was stuck in traffic! Apparently both her and her daughter were trying to use the bathroom at the same time
