I have probably been in to the office around 20 times since March 2020. We are encouraged to WFH but I like to go in occasionally to catch-up with others and see more than the four walls of the house. We have saved a considerable amount of money, which is great. However, working from home means I exercise less, my neck issues are increasingly problematic due to having to occasionally work from the sofa (missus uses the dining table and my little un uses the desk) and I miss seeing people, especially colleagues who I regard as friends.
My employer has took advantage of the situation and further reduced its property portfolio. Prior to lockdown, we were expected to WFH one or two days per week. We are expected to work from home four days a week once social distancing rules are removed. That's far too much for me. One day at home is enough, two is too much. I'll probably end up going in two or three days a week and have spend a day or two sitting either in the cafe at work or on a sofa in a break-out area.
I will certainly be taking in my own lunches from now as small, local business are now taking the piss. For example, a cafe I go to used to charge me, pre-pandemic, £3.50 for a tuna sandwich and a tea. It's now gone up to £5.50. If we go out after work, we go to pubs that have put c50p on the price of a pint. One boozer I went to recently, has added £1.75 to a pint of Corona (mate's beer, not mine). That's £7 for a pint outside the city. Same thing with restaurants too. Every time I spend cash at the moment, I feel I am being ripped off. Pubs and restaurants here are packed now. I never seen them so busy. However, if small business owners think they are going to continue ripping off customers, they are going to get a shock once people get over the excitement of lockdown being lifted. I would not have minded paying a little more but the level of the increases are a piss take.
