Returning to the office.

[WNRH]

Nearly half of adults would quit their job if asked to return to the office full time, survey suggests

Almost half of adults would consider quitting their current job if their employer doesn't allow remote working in the future, a survey has found.

A return to the office is on the horizon and getting closer for many with all social restrictions set to end on 21 June.

But almost half of over 2,000 18 to 40-year-olds said they would consider quitting their current job if their employer doesn't allow remote working post-pandemic.

Meanwhile, 60% said they have changed the features they look for in a job after working from home.

Research by flatshare site SpareRoom found that office parties and socialising with colleagues has been replaced by good pay and a good work-life balance as the most desirable criteria for workers following the pandemic.

Of those that are employed and have had the option to work from home 81% said they want to continue home working or move to a hybrid of working partially at home and from the office.

Just 28% said they would prefer to work exclusively from the office.

I think it depends on how enjoyable your job is. I have an enjoyable job and a good group of colleagues, I love the interaction and the offsite socialising that you wouldn’t get WFH.

But if you don’t like your job or the people you work with and you can do the same at home, it’s no wonder you don’t want to go back into an office environment.

I think a hybrid model is best for everyone. I’d hate us to become a nation of robots just sat at home all day. Humans need interaction even from strangers.

I can work from home as much as I want but choose to work in the office 5 days a week. I like the routine and also distinguishing what is home and personal life and what is work.

 

[give it to gordon]

Just out of interest are the ones that stay at home with all the benefits getting a pay cut ;)

I know people who have saved around 3k from not travelling to London each day. This hasnt gone down well the staff that have had to go into the office as they see the stay at home staff have basically been given a 3k pay rise a shorter working day as they are home within one million second and not stuck on trains for nearly 4 hours a day ;)

My mate was telling me its caused real bad blood were he works. Whilst he has been going into the office, risking his health on trains and tubes etc. Yet the stay at home are racking in 3k or more in savings, and not putting themselves at risk.

 

[dozzie26]

For the last year we've been WFH sand the productivity throughout the company shot up. Were only a small company but we've done about 3 years work in 1 year and updated our technology to be right up to date. We've also done a lot of sites for high profile clients and we're getting loads of people wanting our services.

Everyone I've spoken to says worklife balance has been good. Its literally been win-win for everyone.

The HR manager wants everyone back in the office now. Everyone in the company has pulled their weight and it's backed up with lots of metrics but HR are probably the ones who haven't. They are dropping hints that the office is needed to get people together and productive again! Absolute insanity. Communication has been good for the last year on Teams and no one wants to go back to phones etc.

I don't mind going to the office but there's so many distractions that is say I'm about half as productive. At home I get time to think about complex problems we face and without it it's impossible to have done what we did this year.

I've had a taste of WFH now and I'm not going to give it up. The commute goes but it also allows me to put the washing in, wash up, vac up etc and dinner so when I finish the house is spotless. It saves us quite a bit of time with housework too. Our family is happier as we have more time together.

There are some things which have to be done face to face but if I have to go in every day, I'm out now. I'll be looking at places where flexibility is offered.

Correct answer. Plenty of jobs out there; there's always a better employer just around the corner. Get more experience and usually better terms and money by moving around a bit as well. Too many people become part of the furniture and stay in comfort zone jobs; the company laughs at these people, you are just a number wherever you go.

 

[GazM]

My co. has adopted a flexi-model. Not a chance people will want to go back full-time. Will be happy with 2 days max. as & when we return just for a change of scene (away from the missus) & a moan-up with the rest of my colleagues. I'm more concerned for those who are starting out in their careers & that they may find it difficult to establish working relationships if mostly WFH.

 

[ell]

Just out of interest are the ones that stay at home with all the benefits getting a pay cut ;)

I know people who have saved around 3k from not travelling to London each day. This hasnt gone down well the staff that have had to go into the office as they see the stay at home staff have basically been given a 3k pay rise a shorter working day as they are home within one million second and not stuck on trains for nearly 4 hours a day ;)

My mate was telling me its caused real bad blood were he works. Whilst he has been going into the office, risking his health on trains and tubes etc. Yet the stay at home are racking in 3k or more in savings, and not putting themselves at risk.

Last year there was some sort of think tank that suggested work from homers should pay more tax and it caused uproar in our group chat. Like you say though, theyve received an effective pay rise so its a tough one.

 

[give it to gordon]

Last year there was some sort of think tank that suggested work from homers should pay more tax and it caused uproar in our group chat. Like you say though, theyve received an effective pay rise so its a tough one.

Our manager worked from home, and saved himself nearly 2k in train fares.
We changed our work to delivering over 500 tons of food to foodbanks all manhandled on and of our trucks.
We werent even allowed a pay raise ! Yet the fat control had in effect had a 2k pay rise !

 

[BlueHammer85]

Just out of interest are the ones that stay at home with all the benefits getting a pay cut ;)

I know people who have saved around 3k from not travelling to London each day. This hasnt gone down well the staff that have had to go into the office as they see the stay at home staff have basically been given a 3k pay rise a shorter working day as they are home within one million second and not stuck on trains for nearly 4 hours a day ;)

My mate was telling me its caused real bad blood were he works. Whilst he has been going into the office, risking his health on trains and tubes etc. Yet the stay at home are racking in 3k or more in savings, and not putting themselves at risk.

That's pretty ridiculous and petty from the bosses - it's none of their business if certain staff members have saved some cost on travel

 

[Man_City_Loyal]

Just out of interest are the ones that stay at home with all the benefits getting a pay cut ;)

I know people who have saved around 3k from not travelling to London each day. This hasnt gone down well the staff that have had to go into the office as they see the stay at home staff have basically been given a 3k pay rise a shorter working day as they are home within one million second and not stuck on trains for nearly 4 hours a day ;)

My mate was telling me its caused real bad blood were he works. Whilst he has been going into the office, risking his health on trains and tubes etc. Yet the stay at home are racking in 3k or more in savings, and not putting themselves at risk.

Cutting out on travel costs? Why would they need a pay cut?

 

[Tommy_Catons_Perm]

Cutting out on travel costs? Why would they need a pay cut?

I cycled to work for years, sometimes clocking up 5000 miles a year. It saved me a fortune in commuting costs.

Perhaps I should have commuted in a gas guzzling range rover instead. And demanded a 10k pay rise to cover the costs? Sounds ludicrous doesn't it.

 

[inbetween]

I think it depends on how enjoyable your job is. I have an enjoyable job and a good group of colleagues, I love the interaction and the offsite socialising that you wouldn’t get WFH.

But if you don’t like your job or the people you work with and you can do the same at home, it’s no wonder you don’t want to go back into an office environment.

I think a hybrid model is best for everyone. I’d hate us to become a nation of robots just sat at home all day. Humans need interaction even from strangers.

I can work from home as much as I want but choose to work in the office 5 days a week. I like the routine and also distinguishing what is home and personal life and what is work.

I think a major growth area will be repositioning offices as coworking places because even if you work from home you can still rent an office and sit with other people. There's some really smart places in Manchester now doing this kind of thing but it isn't cheap (£200pm!+) so making that accessible for people is a tricky one. It's a great option for freelancers and subcontractors who will probably now never have an office other than home anyway.

I reckon most big companies will likely get rid of their expensive city headquarters to move to a model of smaller regional coworking offices so that home-workers can come and go given they'll no longer have a fixed office.