[Misc] Does WFH (working from home) reduce productivity?

[timbha]

We have a team call everyday. My Manager is available most of the time for support. There is a company wellbeing support line. It's nice to have freedom. I have more time to exercise than I have ever had.

That’s all good. I do sometimes wonder though if a face to face meeting (or even just an interaction) is more likely to pick up someone who might be struggling.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

One of our reprographic guys wfh on Fridays, after his g/f left him, and his dog died, about 5yrs ago, and he had a bit of a meltdown - so was allowed to adjust his work pattern.
Just uses it as a day off though, as he saves whatever work he gets given on a Thursday for Monday, when he comes back in to the office. His Mac is always on though, & mirrors the one he has at home, so we can see what is being done during the day...which is pretty much zero. But the bosses dont seem to mind Wish the rest of us had the option to wfh and be so productive.

 

[timbha]

One of our reprographic guys wfh on Fridays, after his g/f left him, and his dog died, about 5yrs ago, and he had a bit of a meltdown - so was allowed to adjust his work pattern.
Just uses it as a day off though, as he saves whatever work he gets given on a Thursday for Monday, when he comes back in to the office. His Mac is always on though, & mirrors the one he has at home, so we can see what is being done during the day...which is pretty much zero. But the bosses dont seem to mind Wish the rest of us had the option to wfh and be so productive.

This is more about him than WFH. You must wonder what else he is up to

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

This is more about him than WFH. You must wonder what else he is up to

No doubt out walking the dogs, going shopping etc. Hes replied to my emails before via his phone, rather than his work mac - so chances are he uses the day for mostly R&R. Hes admitted he hates the job these days, and doesn't want to be here anymore, so uses it to his advantage.

 

[Milano]

Definitely. The fact I'm on this place at 9.20 proves that!!!

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

This is more about him than WFH. You must wonder what else he is up to

It could just be management helping someone with personal issues without making a big thing of it.

 

[timbha]

It could just be management helping someone with personal issues without making a big thing of it.

It could be but it seems to be impacting the rest of the team. Surely management could have had a quiet word with his colleagues.

 

[UnhingedSeagull94]

Used to love it, starting to hate it. Pretty lonely and miserable in the winter when you’re on your own all day. Have started going into the office 3 days a week to harmonise my week and have some human interaction.

 

[Simster]

Used to love it, starting to hate it. Pretty lonely and miserable in the winter when you’re on your own all day. Have started going into the office 3 days a week to harmonise my week and have some human interaction.

I'm a bit like this. A WFH element is undoubtedly helpful and makes my life easier because it means some of the tedious jobs no longer have to wait to the weekend and a precious Saturday, but I really have needed the once or twice a week in the office for my sanity.

 

[UnhingedSeagull94]

I'm a bit like this. A WFH element is undoubtedly helpful and makes my life easier because it means some of the tedious jobs no longer have to wait to the weekend and a precious Saturday, but I really have needed the once or twice a week in the office for my sanity.

Yeah totally agree mate. I usually WFH now if there’s an evening Kick Off or i have something on. End up climbing the walls otherwise.

 

[drew]

This is more about him than WFH. You must wonder what else he is up to

I disagree, it's more about his ineffectual bosses.

 

[South East Seagull]

Hybrid is surely the best option for those who can accommodate it. A few days in the office, a few at home. Get a nice mix of socialising with work mates, but also get those days with a bit more personal freedom. Haven't personally found it to diminish productivity, but might be because even working form home the companies I've worked at have still been pretty on your case.

Completely understand it in this job market if you're not a massive business. You simply can't compete in attracting the top talent unless you offer these perks and benefits - you'll never be able to pay what big companies can offer. Would you take a pay cut to work for a smaller company if it meant you worked 4 days a week and could work from home? I think many would.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

It could just be management helping someone with personal issues without making a big thing of it.

The personal issues were in October 2019....hes just going with the flow now as its probably something the company cant change after this long. He has 2 new dogs, and a g/f, so its literally just because he hates the job, and being here.
The office staff do have an option to wfh if they need to for a day, but everyone is usually in 5 days a week. I have no option but to be here because of the equipment I use (which is fine by me), as do the lads out in the factory who work 7am-4.30pm every day inc some weekends.

So, to answer the original question...in his case, yes, wfh does reduce productivity. He gets a day off, and others have to pick up any slack on a Friday if needed.

 

[dsr-burnley]

This bloke found that working from home was a little less efficient than in the office!

Cause of airport chaos which hit 700,000 passengers and cost £100m revealed

An inquiry has been set up by regulator the Civil Aviation Authority into the ATC meltdown in August 2023

www.independent.co.uk

 

[timbha]

I disagree, it's more about his ineffectual bosses.

That too. Not a great combination

 

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

I have no option but to be here because of the equipment I use (which is fine by me), as do the lads out in the factory who work 7am-4.30pm every day inc some weekends.

So, to answer the original question...in his case, yes, wfh does reduce productivity. .

The NSC posting machine?

The WFH productivity isn't looking quite so bad now

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

I enjoy being in the office but, especially in winter, the drive home is the bit I don't enjoy when it is dark and wet.

Like others, I make it work for me. If I'm going to Plumpton races then I'll go into the office for a half day as Plumpton is closer to the office than home. When I play football after work, again the office is closer to where we play than home so it works for me. In contrast, when we have a midweek game, I work from home so less of a rush to get back for the ST coach over.

With the home working, I usually do more than my contracted hours each week - even if you take off the time spent on NSC (that is usually during boring meetings - honest!)

 

[Badger]

Used to love it, starting to hate it. Pretty lonely and miserable in the winter when you’re on your own all day. Have started going into the office 3 days a week to harmonise my week and have some human interaction.

I'm like this too. Unfortunately, my company closed their Toronto office a few months ago because people weren't going in enough. So, now I'm basically WFH permanently. We do have a WeWork space we can use but that's only for specific meetings.

 

[Reddleman]

The only thing that matters is output. If people deliver the outputs expected of them then when or where they work is irrelevant.

For me I am way more productive at home. Not least I am not losing anytime in the commute. Also, people say there are too many distractions at home but it’s the same in the office where it’s as easy to ‘skive’ as it is at home.

Most people who work at home realise it’s a positive and are diligent enough to ensure they can retain that privilege. There’s always a handful of people who abuse it but they should be allowed to ruin it for the majority.

 

[Reddleman]

If someone offered me a £10k pay increase but it meant I had to be in the office four days a week I wouldnt even consider it.

I realise I am fortunate enough to earn a good salary so it’s all relative but money would never be more valuable to me than the flexibility of home working especially with young kids.