Working From Home Megathread

You literally posted “if a good manager needs physical presence then they are no longer a good manager”. Your words, not mine.

At least take ownership of the BS you write yourself.

For everyone with that opinion, there's workers in their mid 50s who would say the same about the "snowflake", younger generation.

I don't agree with everything Andrew says, but in fairness he has some valid points too.

But I am intrigued why Andrew won't report their unsafe workspace to the HSA.

They say they had previous dealings with them that were unsatisfactory.

Unfortunately if that's their stance, then there's nothing that they can do and no amount of posts on here will change anything.

I would advise Andrew again that if their workspace is unsafe go to the HSA whether you like them or not.

Otherwise they are stuck where they are unless you change jobs

Thanks for pointing out why "If you don't like the way your job has changed, just go and get a new job" isn't valid: you're not the only person with that attitude.

I cannot speak for Andrew.

But, yes, I'm 50-something. Have done a range of contracts since redundancy about 7 years ago. Currently on my 4th contact with my main company: they keep asking me back, so clearly they don't share your opinion of my performance. The job uses skills from many of my previous jobs, a person with less breadth of experience would struggle. Luckily I have to be in the office a few days each week (equipment, deliveries etc), because my apartment just isn't suitable for full-time WFH. But am quite happy that I'm there alone most of the time, because I don't rely on work for social contact.

But here's the thing. It's not all about meeeeeeee!

I don't only post about my own perspective. I see company-wide issues, eg managers getting burnt out with the extra communication workload they have. Changing a procedure is a lot harder, because getting some people to read, understand and act correctly on documented instructions is damn hard when they don't have an informal network to jolly them along. I know that some colleagues are really struggling with WFH (one's marriage has broken down, another has had mental health issues that weren't there before, one had to leave because he couldn't provide good-enough wifi and the company point-blank refused to let him into the office even though he wouldn't have been in contact with anyone).

If WFH works for you AND for your company, great, I'm totally supportive - for YOU.

But many posters here assume that because it's good for them, it's good for everyone and for every company. And that just ain't so.

I think you'll find more car drivers are killed each year than cyclists

That sucks.

Was it a voluntary move? If not, then I'd be job-hunting from next Tuesday. Even if it was, I'd be doing the same.

One hint for ya: do a fake commute before you start each morning. Don't actually waste cash catching the bus - but have a good walk, buy a coffee to see at very least the cafe staff, etc, and get some fresh air in. Do it BEFORE you start work or even turn on the computer. Makes a huge difference for many people.

Also, find out the company policies for what to do if you get a real stinker of a call, where the customer is giving you heaps. These are bad enough in the office, but when you get a toxic dose in your own home, it can be a lot harder to recover from. So you need a plan for what you'll do if it happens, so you can break the mental link between your resting place and work.

Companies offering ergonomics for wfh. Did they offer it to same people when in the office?

just cause in office doesn’t mean desk and chair is right

As I said...

"Management is still needed to provide direction and leadership and maintain an overview of what's being done. That doesn't require a physical presence , though (depending on the industry and type of work, of course), and the good managers know it."