The new normal

[Chewie]

My office has re-opened but they're not forcing people to come back in if they don't want to - across the whole workplace there's probably about a third of the people in the office as there used to be.

In my team, we have our own separate office within an office, and that is even emptier - I went in last Tuesday and I was the only one there out of 18 or so of us.

I don't think they will make everyone come back, but they will probably implement some sort of measure so that there is at least one person from a particular specialisation in the office each day.


My approach has generally been - if it's not raining I'll consider going into the office (30 min travel each way), if it's raining, then no way.

 

[Starfighter]

Been back in the office (unfortunately) and all kinds of propaganda (both at work and elsewhere) about how wonderful it is. They want nothing to change.

 

[sledger]

Having hair is overrated

I have to wear a hairband when exercising these days. My friend tells me it is my fault for not having a "sensible haircut".

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

I have to wear a hairband when exercising these days. My friend tells me it is my fault for not having a "sensible haircut".

It's your fault for exercising ffs.

 

[Gnske]

I have to wear a hairband when exercising these days. My friend tells me it is my fault for not having a "sensible haircut".

lmao imagine needing to exercise to be jacked, what a melt

 

[GIMH]

My boss said for people like him and me with mega commutes, we can expect to never feel under pressure to be in the office regularly again

Great news, saving a fortune on petrol and more quality time spent with my dog

 

[Daemon]

My boss said for people like him and me with mega commutes, we can expect to never feel under pressure to be in the office regularly again

Great news, saving a fortune on petrol and more quality time spent with my dog

ah you call it your dog

 

[GIMH]

mods plz

 

[Teja.]

I hope I never have to physically go back to work tbh. The idea of returning to getting ready for work in the mornings and realising at night that I only have 2 hours to myself before I have to repeat everything again is draining just to think about. **** that ****.

 

[vcs]

How is WFH any different in terms of having to work the next day?

 

[honestbharani]

I hope I never have to physically go back to work tbh. The idea of returning to getting ready for work in the mornings and realising at night that I only have 2 hours to myself before I have to repeat everything again is draining just to think about. **** that ****.

Lol, only 2 hours??? .. and u r not even married yet, right?

 

[honestbharani]

How is WFH any different in terms of having to work the next day?

Guessing in most Indian cities, the commute can easily take away 2-3 hours of your time daily. Other than that, like Daemon was postng, the whole routine of getting ready and then when you come back, freshening up etc. maybe avoided. If you are doing your own laundry and stuff, there are savings there too.

 

[Teja.]

Lol, only 2 hours??? .. and u r not even married yet, right?

2 hours is a liberal estimate after taking out travel, spending an hour or two talking to the girlfriend, saying hi to my parents etc.

Return home at 8 pm ish, have to get to work by about 9 am.

 

[vcs]

Yeah I get the commute thing.

Personally, I'm lazy to take time to work out, and I walk to work and back, so having that bit of physical activity baked into my daily routine is preferable.

 

[Teja.]

How is WFH any different in terms of having to work the next day?

I don't have to pretend to work when I'm not actually working. I don't have to simulate the workflow of a regular workday. I can just get in the zone and work 1 or 2 12-14 hour days a week and have a relatively chill week doing whatever the **** I want as opposed to uncomfortably being on my phone half the day at work while pretending to work.

 

[vcs]

I don't have to pretend to work when I'm not actually working. I don't have to simulate the workflow of a regular workday. I can just get in the zone and work 1 or 2 12-14 hour days a week and have a relatively chill week doing whatever the **** I want as opposed to uncomfortably being on my phone half the day at work while pretending to work.

I see what you mean, but I don't find this to be a sustainable way of life at all. Having a repeatable routine is something I find useful. Maybe the nature of our workloads is too different to be able to compare properly.

 

[GIMH]

I think in the future the key will be more choice. For someone like vcs who prefers to be in the office, once the social distancing aspects have cleared then it won't be a problem. But for those who prefer the WFH routine, that will be far more amenable than it might have been pre-lockdown. I am sure some companies will revert back to their old ways but these will be the exception I reckon.

 

[honestbharani]

2 hours is a liberal estimate after taking out travel, spending an hour or two talking to the girlfriend, saying hi to my parents etc.

Return home at 8 pm ish, have to get to work by about 9 am.

Dats rough... I guess I kinda have it easy coz my work is really not about strict hours (although I put in very long hours usually) but as long as we have our schedules and meetings lined up and I do not miss any of those, when I get the work done is usually pretty much up to me. So even at office, I spend a good amount of time socializing, networking etc. and I have a few volunteer activities as well, both co-curricular and extra-curricular. The only thing I miss is the physical exercise, I try some aerobics time to time but its hard to stick to a schedule and stuff. I just wish I had a place to go play cricket every saturday and sunday. Like I would literally pay for that and I will be getting some exercise doing something I love.

 

[honestbharani]

I think in the future the key will be more choice. For someone like vcs who prefers to be in the office, once the social distancing aspects have cleared then it won't be a problem. But for those who prefer the WFH routine, that will be far more amenable than it might have been pre-lockdown. I am sure some companies will revert back to their old ways but these will be the exception I reckon.

Yeah, as long as the job is not impacted, the key is to let the individuals decide. Everyone can get to be more productive this way.

 

[Teja.]

I see what you mean, but I don't find this to be a sustainable way of life at all. Having a repeatable routine is something I find useful. Maybe the nature of our workloads is too different to be able to compare properly.

Yeah and I also think our personalities affect how we see this too. I feel like you're the type of person who likes a strong routine, are very organized, conscientious, like feedback/working in a group and would get bored quickly if you had nothing to do.

On the other hand, I'm someone who abhors routine or organization, have zero conscientiousness but am pretty industrious and can work without noticing break/meal times once I am able to get myself through the first hour or so of focused work.