Is working from home working for everyone ?
When I came across an article in the FT last week, entitled “We must harness the power of home working tech, not be slave to it” I finally felt like someone was on my side. For the vast majority of the previous week, LinkedIn felt like a bombardment of positive propaganda around working from home. Whether it was re-hashed content from a software company’s marketing department or the voice of social media CEO’s, the message seemed to be very, very clear “working from home is amazing and its here to stay”
But is it amazing for everyone ? well not for me and I’ll admit that I’ve been struggling to cope with the sweeping generalisation that it’s a good thing. Of course I recognise it’s wonderful for many people but here are my reasons why it doesn’t work for myself.
We live in a two bedroom apartment and space is at a premium. Until last week I was working in the kitchen, which meant I was constantly distracted. My four year old son Nate, is very inquisitive and wanted to help daddy practically on the hour every hour. Of course this is really sweet at first but the novelty soon wears off. Even my partner getting a spoon from the cutlery draw was met with rolled eyes and a muttered “FFS” under my breath. Not ideal conditions for productivity or a happy family life.
Secondly, working remotely cancels out one the aspects I really love about my job, personal interaction. I enjoy being with people all day every day and this is something that cannot be replicated virtually. Yes you can Face-time, Skype, Teams and all the other mediums of video conferencing but it simply isn’t the same as actually talking face to face with your colleagues, clients and candidates.
Finally and probably most importantly, I like to come home every day and separate my personal life from my work life. I even enjoy the commute, as its much needed time to zone out and listen to music or a podcast
For the same reasons I love music gigs, festivals, the terraces of a football stadium and the pub, I cannot wait to get back into the office when it safe to do so. Until then and thanks to the discovery of WiFi extenders I shall in be in the new home office
Link to the article in the comments
Senior Consultant - Business Analysis/Project Management
4 年WFH pre covid19 is not the samething as WFH during the pandemic..I've been wfh for a while and been a good advocate as it immensely satisfies a good part of work-life balance. My current employer Capita Local Public Services have understood the difference during the pandemic and have lead brilliantly from SMT in supporting all staff to adjusting including the 1st timers. There's been a well supported mental health and wellbeing campaign via newsletters, online social activities across business areas (furloughinclusive). Business need to work with their employees post covid19 to find the right balance that works. WFH would never be for everyone, while some just need that flexibility when its needed, Also, some businesses reduced their security protocol levels, and may want to tighten this back up. Business needs, employee engagement, and wellbeing should be assessed together to get an amicable balance to the WFH debate
Customer Support Specialist
4 年On the other hand, we do love having you around so much <3
Governance, Risk & Operations Executive (ESG) Non-Executive Director Basketball Australia | Professional Speaker
4 年True. It’s not for everyone. Social interaction is important. Teaching new work online is difficult and our homes are not necessarily set up as an office. Balance for new way of working is key . Covid recovery plans should be a mix of wfh, wfo, team office days and off peak work. It is not a one size fits all.
Managing Director, Australia - Emanate Technology
4 年Well said . Agree it's not for everyone. I feel for parents with young children #luckyminearegrownup
Head of Experience Design & HCD capability development. What’s your relationship with Energy?
4 年Iain Blackburn Thanks for sharing ???? I’m perplexed at how quickly ‘WFH’ seems to have been pushed into the space of ‘accepted & wanted’ ?! I design experiences. My team designs experiences. You don’t design anything sat behind a screen. Ever. The people around me are a fundamental reason I select to do what I do. It’s my choice. Lock down / house arrest; dependant on your perspective was not a choice. I had no say. Now, do I like the occasional days WFH?.. absolutely. As far as my day job is concerned my Purpose is to build capabilities that focus on the experiences of millions of people. It’s Success Criteria however, is dependant on many many more things. Will exclusively WFH be part of that success criteria? Can’t see that happening. I adore and require the interaction of people. People make me happy. Balance is everything.