Covid: 'People are tired of working from home'
01/03/2021
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Canary Wharf expects people to return to the office but may choose home working some of the time.
Nay! Try retirement! Home 24/7/365 ............. brilliant!!
Sorry but that is the life we all aim for called retirement! The great golden attraction. Infants may want moments of puerile 'fun', but grow out of it eventually, and become adults and seek retirement and contentment.
I think it is about balance. a 50/50 split on office/home would suit a lot of people, and get the best of both worlds.
I have worked from home for the last 5 years and have largely enjoyed it. But that changed when the home schooling started. I've been mainly relegated to working in the evenings when the kids are in bed. Feel like taking their 1st day back at school off so I can sit in a dark room haha.
part of the bs is this article for vested interests
Get out and walk, get out and jog, get out and live life to the full. Just don't get close to anyone while you're at it. Enjoy!
Agreed, Bob. A friend pointed out that that tiredness could really be lethargy, lethargy with the situation, with the same four walls, with not seeing anyone different each day, etc.
We aren't expending as much energy staying at home as we would going to work. Yes, the cost saving is not trivial but not having a clear separation between home and work messes with your head after a while...
We aren't expending as much energy staying at home as we would going to work. Yes, the cost saving is not trivial but not having a clear separation between home and work messes with your head after a while...
I force myself to go out at 5.30 every evening, for a long walk which is essential to my health and well-being, mental AND physical. I do love the fresh air, fairly empty roads, and loads of birds singing. The only thing that annoys me now is the number of other folk with the same idea!! Ah well - it's extra exercise for me to continually zig-zag across the roads avoiding all contact.
Agreed Bob
I am existing .. not living..
I am existing .. not living..
"I think it is going to be more socially acceptable for people to take the occasional day working from home," he said.
It will certainly become socially unacceptable to go into the office with a cough!
It will certainly become socially unacceptable to go into the office with a cough!
"the occasional day working at home" LOL, in his dreams.
After an initial rush back, once people realise how much more expensive it is to commute in each day, and how much time it eats out of their day, they will revert to at least 2 or 3 days a week working at home, and why shouldn't they? Good for them, good for the environment.
After an initial rush back, once people realise how much more expensive it is to commute in each day, and how much time it eats out of their day, they will revert to at least 2 or 3 days a week working at home, and why shouldn't they? Good for them, good for the environment.
100% agree. 1 week per month is a good arrangement for me. Train expenses are better like that.
I bet the sun will shining on the days at home
I do find the argument about it being better for the argument a bit pointless.
Surely if people who commute really had an interest in the environment they'd get a job closer to home even if that meant taking a drop in pay.
Surely if people who commute really had an interest in the environment they'd get a job closer to home even if that meant taking a drop in pay.
Indeed. Executive responsible for the commercial success of a major office complex announces that everyone wants to get back to their office complex. Go figure.
let those in the office take the strain so selfish people can pretend to work from home like my company
My employer has said they plan to move back to 2 days in, 3 days at home for most people. 3 in if you really like going in. Fact is productivity hasn't dropped much, and that's with home schooling and lockdown fatigue, and 100% WfH, so there's no argument for needing to go into the office - which can be reduced in size to save money in a prime estate area. Bye bye Southern Rail.
I would hate to commute but am happy to work out of a local office. I really struggle to work from home with the kids and pets around me. Hopefully it'll end up being more flexible for everyone to make a choice
Not every one lives miles from their work. I can cycle to work at no cost whatsoever.
..and bad for the fat cat. Shame as it'll also be bad for city centre small businesses, selling lunches (sandwiches so expensive so they can pay their high rents) and probably the transport network hit too ultimately potentially leaving services being less frequent.
Looks like the BBC are determined to dig up HYS negativity today. Give it a rest, please - you're supposed to be a public service broadcaster paid for by universal levy, not an opinion former / narrative driver that people can optionally subscribe to if they want to buy in to the narrative arc.
Agree. I regularly defend the BBC and think they do a balanced job in a world of appalling journalism, but this sort of clickbait would make the tabloids blush.
They're probably missing the first half hour of every office day, chatting about the weather and last night's football results, eyeing up the new secretary, and slagging off the boss.
All very important and worthwhile activities I can assure you!
It's an interesting debate, the difference between home and work used to be more clear cut before the age of the laptop and mobile phone in that you left work and you could relax and shut out the working day. Be careful what you wish for, you could end up in a Faustian pact with purgatory now also at home.
And why not! Normal human stuff:)
I really need an expensive commute into London because " people are really missing that opportunity to collaborate with and just see their friends in the office, to get your hair cut, to go and get a good coffee at lunchtime and to do all the life admin things you can do in a city centre."
Yep, hard to believe that the BBC actually published this. All these wonderful things that absolutely definitely couldn't be done somewhere other than the centre of London, clearly. Everyone knows that outside of the square mile of the City, there are no coffee shops at all, none. Oh, right.
The town where I live has two Greggs outlets, a Starbucks, Cafe Nero, Costa, Burger King, KFC and not to mention all the other small indepedent outlets that sell food. All within a short walk for me. Definitely don't miss having to do that where my company's office is.
By returning to workplaces before mid-April the only thing I'll be doing is pay £2.50 upwards for a cappuccino. Hairdressers aren't opening their doors before they're allowed and I see friends in the evening or weekends.
In continue with my home setup which allows me to make coffee and toast at home, get some of the best bacon sandwiches around and have music on in the background whilst working.
In continue with my home setup which allows me to make coffee and toast at home, get some of the best bacon sandwiches around and have music on in the background whilst working.
It's not fatigue from working at home. It's fatigue from lockdown. Two very different things......
100% - working from home would be great if you could leave the house in the evening
“How in the hell could a man enjoy being awakened at 8:30 a.m. by an alarm clock, leap out of bed, dress, force-feed, $417, p155, brush teeth and hair, and fight traffic to get to a place where essentially you made lots of money for somebody else and were asked to be grateful for the opportunity to do so? ”
- Charles Bukowski, Factotum
- Charles Bukowski, Factotum
I'd say it was both.
I will have been working from home for 12 months next week, its the lack of social interaction that's the main problem. I collaborate with my colleagues a great deal, and doing it over video calls is just not the same, it's just too "sterile".
I won't go back to office working full-time, a mix of the two will be much better.
I will have been working from home for 12 months next week, its the lack of social interaction that's the main problem. I collaborate with my colleagues a great deal, and doing it over video calls is just not the same, it's just too "sterile".
I won't go back to office working full-time, a mix of the two will be much better.
Even as a bit of an introvert I'm starting to get stir-crazy from not seeing friends and destressing from having worked through this whole period both at home and at work. What is understood is people not on furlough have no release from work and that's where the stress and fatigue is coming from.
I come here to say exactly this, its the lockdown, being unable to leave the four walls you're assigned to that has everyone fatigued. Humans are a herd animal, so the last year has gone against our very nature. It would be nice to leave, and not feel incredible guilt for just doing the exercise you're permitted much less see another human being.
Correct. I have been working from home for 15 years, it took a few weeks to get used to it but for someone hardworking it really isn't a problem. Some people may have struggled because of juggling work and having to home-educate children.
Some people however are simply incapable of working alone and need to hide amongst a team to show productivity and working from home makes it harder to do so.
Some people however are simply incapable of working alone and need to hide amongst a team to show productivity and working from home makes it harder to do so.
Working from home during lockdown doesn't seem much different to working from otherwise. I worked from home from 1999 to 2009, and I'm still sick of working from home from that stint. I like working from home a day or two a week when convenient, but not as a way of life. I don't want my work in my home anymore. It sounds like other people are coming to this realisation too now.
I miss seeing actual people in the office. My commute is only 20 minutes in the car but that's 40 minutes of my day back to use for exercise so I hope there will be a mix of home and office in the future. I can't see how anyone could miss a 90 minute train journey followed by a game of sardines on the Jubilee Line though. That said I am so bored of Teams/Zoom chats. Soul destroyingly dull!
After saving £2k in travel expenses plus other savings as well as not having a 4hr commute 5 days a week I will quite happily work from home for another year or two, if not more, as there is absolutely no need at all for me to go back to the office. Loving it.
"SHOCKING NEWS: MAN SELLING OFFICE SPACE SAYS THAT EVERYONE WANTS TO COME BACK AND WORK IN HIS OVER PRICED HELL HOLES"
Seriously, no one minds being there when you need to be, and sometimes you have to, but not five days a week. It's actually less efficient to be there and we all know it. He just wants to parasite the money in return for no real added value
Seriously, no one minds being there when you need to be, and sometimes you have to, but not five days a week. It's actually less efficient to be there and we all know it. He just wants to parasite the money in return for no real added value
Canary Wharf manager says everyone wants to work in the office. Shocker. Howard's got square footage to rent out so of course he says that, he'd be stupid not to.
My current 'workplace' is 210 miles away. I'd have to rent a flat or a room-share if I had to physically work in the office.
I'm happy to work from home, it's only the lack of entertainment & travel restrictions that are fatiguing.
My current 'workplace' is 210 miles away. I'd have to rent a flat or a room-share if I had to physically work in the office.
I'm happy to work from home, it's only the lack of entertainment & travel restrictions that are fatiguing.
Personally I'd love to go back to the office.
And I'm pretty sure that after a few weeks I'd love to go back to home working!
Just no pleasing me!!!
And I'm pretty sure that after a few weeks I'd love to go back to home working!
Just no pleasing me!!!
100% working from home saves 100s on travel cost, reduces carbon emissions and supports the local economy. Obviously doesn't help property tycoons and oil companies, nor the rail investors who are no doubt lobbying for a full return to office life.
Not sure I agree. Working from home is normal, but it has now become 'living at work', which is a different proposition.
The dining room permanently feels like an office and it is difficult to 'leave work behind', irrespective of lockdown. WFH from choice is one thing, but this is enforced.
Eat, sleep, repeat, no variety. Given the choice I would not WFH 100%, maybe a couple of days.
The dining room permanently feels like an office and it is difficult to 'leave work behind', irrespective of lockdown. WFH from choice is one thing, but this is enforced.
Eat, sleep, repeat, no variety. Given the choice I would not WFH 100%, maybe a couple of days.
I think this is correct. Surveys, and there aren't many, seem to suggest that people would prefer to work from home for three days per week. I think the suggestion that lockdown fatigue is the problem and not working from home is spot on.
Exactly. Working from home would be fine if you could nip to the pub for a pint and some nonsense talk at the end of the day!
Not me. I hate working from home., I'm on my own, completely isolated. It's taken a huge toll on my mental health and I don't think I'll ever fully recover, but will be easier if I can get back in the office full time as that will help me to become a social member of society.
Have to agree with that, I generally work from home but would normally go out and about. I do miss the 'needed' trips to the office for meetings just to mix with other humans!. Very tired of lockdown.
I fall into the second camp of lock down fatigue. There are some staff that I would rather avoid because they talk incessantly - sticking in ear plugs won't help and I have no choice as to where I sit. I'll go in once or twice a week but I get more done from home. I have no time for incessant, witless prattle.
Exactly. If Mr Dawber was made to spend the majority of 24 hours a day for 11 months in the office with limited other options I'm pretty sure he'd soon tire of that too.
It's also fatigue from reading opinionated and self-interested comments -- with no evidence -- like those of Mr. Dawber. :-)
Exactly - I enjoy working from home, its the fact I'm always at home... no trips, no gym, no golf, no social life, no holidays etc that's the drain.
Correct. Fatigue from lockdown especially with home schooling.
Even under lockdown, working from home and kids in school (Set-Dec), it was great as no commute. Drop kids in school then hopscotch home to do your job then pick them up and do a couple of hours whilst they play for a bit.
A breeze.
Even under lockdown, working from home and kids in school (Set-Dec), it was great as no commute. Drop kids in school then hopscotch home to do your job then pick them up and do a couple of hours whilst they play for a bit.
A breeze.
Well I love working from home, but then I have set up the spare bedroom as a fully equipped office and the view out of my window is fields. No time wasted sitting in traffic driving to the office.
Coming on here flaunting your spare bedroom eh, whilst I have to set up my laptop in the dog's kennel, with views of the gasworks - agreed though, still better than commuting in to work.
I've had an office built in the garden by the smaller lake, it means a ten minute commute from the back door, three minutes if I use the quad bike, but it was easier than argueing with her ladyship about which of the spare bedrooms to convert to a home office.
Man with vested interest in getting people back into offices says that people want to get back into offices.
Why do the BBC keep giving these people a voice?
thats what is all about making this article
Why didn't the BBC ask people who work from home?
I have never really worked from home before, but quite like it now, my future will be a mixture of office and home.
I have never really worked from home before, but quite like it now, my future will be a mixture of office and home.
Because the BBC are now the mouthpiece for the Tory Party and many of their big donors have a vested interest in renting out office space for extortionate amounts. ??
I've enjoyed working from home (the home schooling part of it has been challenging of course)... personally I'd like to think I'll be able to split my time 50/50 between home working and being in the office going forward. The investment into enabling home working has happened, so as long as their is a culture of trust (earned both ways) hopefully home working will continue.
How does he know ?
Has he interviewed the millions of UK homeworkers ?
No ?
Thought not.
Has he interviewed the millions of UK homeworkers ?
No ?
Thought not.
Of course he hasn't - he's been talking to those who rent out office space - those are the "important interests" his comments seek to serve, not those who don't need to commute each way at their own expense.
I’m loving it. No commute. Beats sitting in a car for three hours a day. So much more chilled, relaxed and not tired.
I think a hugely underrated aspect for wellbeing is having a small garden or outdoor space. I think this pandemic has made people re-evaluate what's really important - rather than being crammed in a 5 person flat share in the inner city because its slightly closer to things is far worse than living further out with your own green space. I never got the desire of people to move to central London
So the person who as a very vested interest in people returning to offices, says people are tired of working from home and want to get back to the office. Clever!
If you are sitting on huge amounts of empty floorspace in Canary Wharf you desperately want it to be filled to avoid losing £££MMM.
But WFH for most of the time with occasional office visits is more likely to become the norm. Not everywhere is like Canary Wharf!!
But WFH for most of the time with occasional office visits is more likely to become the norm. Not everywhere is like Canary Wharf!!
Every body I know working from home are enjoying the freedom to control what they do. Some with children can finish work and be with their children no 1 hour train journey home. I suspect bosses are tired of people working at home as they can't watch them every minute and it is freaking them out not having control.
The bosses are upset because they no longer have a captive audience for their idiotic waffle.
The dinosaur managers are freaking out that they might now be expendable if there's nobody around to lord it over.... more agile mindsets are working out how to capitalise on the new opportunities WFH enables.
Funny because people I know working from home cannot wait to get back to the office.
They are sick of working at the coffee table, or dining table.
Average household in UK does not have enough space to dedicate 1 room as an office.
Productivity is also down, EVERYTHING is taking longer and banks/companies all use the reason 'so many people are working from home, it's taking longer'
They are sick of working at the coffee table, or dining table.
Average household in UK does not have enough space to dedicate 1 room as an office.
Productivity is also down, EVERYTHING is taking longer and banks/companies all use the reason 'so many people are working from home, it's taking longer'
Good managers will support their staff with working patterns that accommodate both business and personal needs, bad managers will blame not having direct oversight for poor results that ultimately they are responsible for. Doesn't matter if you're in the office or not, a bad manager will still create bad performance.
"Every body I know working from home are enjoying the freedom to control what they do"
It may depend on your conditions at home. If you're in a cramped room, insufficient screens, uncomfortable desk & chair, no air-con then you don't enjoy it that much.
Commuting? Depends on how and how long. For 20 years of my working life I've walked to work, but 2 years ago it was a 90 min drive...
It may depend on your conditions at home. If you're in a cramped room, insufficient screens, uncomfortable desk & chair, no air-con then you don't enjoy it that much.
Commuting? Depends on how and how long. For 20 years of my working life I've walked to work, but 2 years ago it was a 90 min drive...
This all seems to be about what is best for the employee.
The majority work in service based industries, so what about what is best for the customers?
Too often I’ve rung and got poor responses from staff with limited knowledge and no one to refer to or learn from.
The majority work in service based industries, so what about what is best for the customers?
Too often I’ve rung and got poor responses from staff with limited knowledge and no one to refer to or learn from.
Any decent boss can manage by talking to staff to see if they have any problems and monitoring output. No need for clocking in and out and presenteeism.
"Some with children can finish work and be with their children"
That may be why some people want to return to the office.
That may be why some people want to return to the office.
Unfortunately in many companies this is having a negative impact on productivity.
Yep the micro managers world of nightmares not being able to control people! The world of work has changed forever but some people cannot adapt !
I run a team and I can tell you categorically a)performance is starting to suffer. Not on an individual basis maybe but as a collective. B)things are taking longer 3) harder to develop staff 4) my day is much more intense, long and harder trying to run things. I can see why someone who just does tasks thinks it’s working. But it’s not perfect far from it. It’s needs a balance
Well I love working from home, but then I have set up the spare bedroom as a fully equipped office and the view out of my window is fields. No time wasted sitting in traffic driving to the office.
I work for a large multi-naitional which after consulting with employees has now made it "new normal" that from Jan 2021, for those employees whose job allows, they can work 2 days a week at home if they choose.
Better than nothing, but we’re looking at 1 day in the office a fortnight. Massive win.
Its' no so much we are "Working from Home" more like "Living at Work".
“Owner of offices says people don’t want to work from home.” Shocker.
I’ve worked from home since last March. Within my company, productivity is unchanged if not better.
There are undoubtedly people who would rather work from the office but not me! Fatigued? Nope. I was fatigued when doing a two-hour commute every day and paying £150 a month in travel costs. Beware of blanket statements!
I’ve worked from home since last March. Within my company, productivity is unchanged if not better.
There are undoubtedly people who would rather work from the office but not me! Fatigued? Nope. I was fatigued when doing a two-hour commute every day and paying £150 a month in travel costs. Beware of blanket statements!
200pm here - for a total of 30 mins a day on the train. Down with the system.
My 2:30 Hour a day commute was £420 per month... so I'm quite happy to continue with the current arrangements :)
Out (global) senior management have said they are amazed at how well productivity has stayed high while everyone has been working from home.
So much so, they've said they'll be happy to consider any requests for continued flexibility regards wfh once the pandemic dissipates.
So much so, they've said they'll be happy to consider any requests for continued flexibility regards wfh once the pandemic dissipates.
It was almost 400 a month for me. I left London and started working from home 4 years ago; haven't looked back since, so nuts to Mr Dawber...
You were lucky. I used to commute 4 hours a day, week in week out, and pay train company £1100 a month for t'privilege.
Absolutely agree, I don't miss my miserable commute to work by car, with the traffic jams and bad tempered, dangerous drivers, only to arrive at work stressed to share an office with people I wouldnt choose to be with. (And probably they too with me)
And then the same tedious journey home.
Over the last year I have mostly been working from home, got plenty done and never been happier in my work.
And then the same tedious journey home.
Over the last year I have mostly been working from home, got plenty done and never been happier in my work.
You realise you yuppies don’t have to commute right? Find a job nearer to you.
£400 pm - and rising - on season ticket for me. When I tell my friends in continental Europe how much I pay a month they are genuinely shocked.....I'll continue to work from home for as long as possible to avoid the living paycheck to paycheck life I had pre-Covid.
Completely agree! Its the 'kids at home, not school' and having no opportunity to mix with friends during the week' that provides the fatigue. This will go once schools are open again and people can get out.
£500 per month for me for half an hour on the train and 40 minutes walking at each end. If I never go on a train again it'll be too soon.
Lots of upvoters on here. Obviously working from home gives them lots of spare time to read HYS. But of course their productivity hasn't dropped!
Things change...ask the owners of Blockbuster Video. We didn't sentimentally keep video stores operating when Netflix came along, nor should we keep offices running (in the same way) now that we have Microsoft Teams and Zoom. If there was still the necessity for this type of working Concorde would still be in the air, making sure people can the leave UK at 8am and arrive at NYC at 8am.
This is selfishness, we must think about those that benefits by us moving from A to B. If we all continue to work from home, I expect unemployment rise, collapse of our transport system due to funds received from commuters not coming, a massive tax rise. At the end of it all, you will be the looser. People need to think broadly.
Exactly right.
Lots of companies have seen over the last year that WFH means they can save loads of money by leasing less office space and not having to offer salary premiums to get staff to work in London/big cities.
Meanwhile owners of office complexes are getting a bit worried.
Lots of companies have seen over the last year that WFH means they can save loads of money by leasing less office space and not having to offer salary premiums to get staff to work in London/big cities.
Meanwhile owners of office complexes are getting a bit worried.
Yeah, I think this would mean slightly more coming from a workers' representative rather than a bosses' representative.
Just wait for the H&S claims when all these people working from home start getting RSI from their poor working environments. We used to spend thousands on chairs for staff who said they had back problems. Not to mention keyboard and mouse adaptations, air conditioning and 'VDU lighting'. But now these same people seem more than happy to sit at home on their sofas with laptops on their knees...
so working in the office is not the problem....it's the commute time and cost?
Believe it or not not all people live in the south ? Its quite easy to commute 30 minutes or less to work in many parts of the country.
They're going to have to give everyone raises to get back into offices, after living for a year with the extra cash it's gonna feel like a pay cut and demoralise everyone that gets forced back into the commute
Not sure how sitting on a train fatigues you. I enjoyed the ride home and chilled with the evening paper.
Very role dependent and isn’t sustainable for lots of job types and to develop and grow a team. My workload is much higher and harder trying to run a group of people. I’m totally burnt out
"work at home one day a week or a couple of days a month"! I think that should read more like "work in the office one day a week or a couple of days a month".
Yep. I think Mr. Canary Wharf may find in the real world an awful lot of employers are planning to normalise wfh and save an absolute fortune on rental of premises. Lots of ifs and buts I know, but it's nothing like the clear cut picture he's pushing.
Yep. We've already been told that when we 'go back' flex working will be the norm, maybe one day a week in some sort of shared space. Suits me fine. I can understand why owners of office space might be a bit concerned though.
Agreed. Down with meetings for the sake of meetings, meetings to look productive, meetings that should be emails, and meetings about arranging meetings. Very little actually needs to be in person these days and whilst working only from home isn't great for boundaries, being able to choose your workspace is a better idea.
Totally agree - that is the approach the company I work for is taking. The approach is come in if you need to otherwise WFH
Just because he's an exec of a major financial institution doesn't mean he speaks for all of us. We all know those institutions love their slick offices. Me, and most people I know, prefer working from home a lot more. 1-2 hours extra free time per evening is still something I am not taking for granted. Mr. Executive only speaks for himself.
3hrs extra MINIMUM for me. WFH is a godsend.
Indeed - If you actually like your family/home life then its no brainer - the vested interests also here seem to come from the Dinosaur execs who dont want to be at home and prefer being in the office or away travelling on expenses. Big adjustment for that group as many like home and want to WFH, and international travelling for 'meetings' is probably a thing of the past.
Just because you work from home as an employee now is no guarantee that you will always be employed on a salary, as a self employed worker from home you will incur more cost`s and taxes than you can even imagine like partial commercial rates for your home as a work environment , as a self employed person for over 40 years now I can assure you that working from home is not as cheap as you think
People are tired of it because they can't go out after work or at the weekends. Once everything opens up people can take a break from the home.
Couldn't agree more. It's tedious at the moment, a proper groundhog day routine of get up, shower, dress, sit at dining table and work, go for same exercise work after work, have tea, watch TV, bed and repeat. Same at the weekend just without the work bit. Once lockdown is lifted it'll be a much better quality of life with all that time that would have been spent commuting free to do fun stuff.
Haha it almost reads like satire - '"People are tired of working from home", says person heavily invested in office space'
Of course, he has no motive for saying that, has he?! ........... the world has moved on, so commercial office accommodation is SO surplus to requirements! Offices into homes ASAP, please!
Well, he would say that wouldn't he. He is protecting or promoting for his companies benefit. They are scared to death that this will become a permanent way off working. Leaving them with empty building space. My personal experience is that people aren't missing it at all
Said by an organisation which is deeply in the brown stuff if people don't return to their offices. Hardly a surprising statement.
It would have been a headline if the head of a large office-focussed property firm had said "WFH is very popular and we think people will probably continue. In fact we'll probably knock down a few offices to make more green space and a couple of duck ponds."
.
It would have been a headline if the head of a large office-focussed property firm had said "WFH is very popular and we think people will probably continue. In fact we'll probably knock down a few offices to make more green space and a couple of duck ponds."
.
Or sell to residential developers, because the country is full to the brim?
We'll all be in the brown stuff if offices in city centres don't go back to their old ways. They were always seen as a sure return investment and consequently vast sums of pension funds that all employees currently WFH are paying into each month are banking on for their retirement
Lol big office company thinks people are tired of working not in their lovely overpriced spaces miles from home!
Desperate job preserving opinion by a property fat cat!
Desperate job preserving opinion by a property fat cat!
I'm good as I am thanks. I miss nothing about the city centre where our office used to be.
"People are keen to return to the office because working from home has left many "fatigued", says a boss at Britain's biggest office and retail complex"
Well he would say that wouldn't he?
Actually CW have been converting as fast as possible to housing...so he's contradicting himself.
Its a distopian complex anyway most wd want to run from - and he thinks people wd chose to go there? LOL
Well he would say that wouldn't he?
Actually CW have been converting as fast as possible to housing...so he's contradicting himself.
Its a distopian complex anyway most wd want to run from - and he thinks people wd chose to go there? LOL
He’s saying that people prefer to spend 3 or 4 hours a day travelling to and from work rather than save the time by working from home
Obviously desperate to find a way to save the huge investments made in city centre office premises
Obviously desperate to find a way to save the huge investments made in city centre office premises
And try not going into school! Instant ‘back to work’ interview. Passive aggressive reminders about contractural obligations and ‘presentee’ism
What s the actual news, here, that the BBC are reporting. what has happened that affects us, the readers/viewers/license payers/listeners? Nothing.
For some working from home has been a good thing no commuting more time. What is a problem is constant lockdowns and mixed messaging by this Government, if we had done it better in the first place with a world beating test and trace and we hadn’t had an eat out and get out scheme in the summer we would be in a far better position by now.
So people still have jobs ... just imaging if we couldn't work from home ?
Someone with a massively well paid job that relies on office space being utilised saying that people want to go back to the office and their miserable commutes?
I am shocked that he'd say such a thing.
100% remote working won't be a thing for all, but the idea of being in the office less and working from home more is inevitable, and more than 1 day a week too.
I am shocked that he'd say such a thing.
100% remote working won't be a thing for all, but the idea of being in the office less and working from home more is inevitable, and more than 1 day a week too.
There's 365 weeks in a year?
The good thing about retirement is not being at home all the time, its being in control of your time 24/7.
Yay retirement. The poverty I'll be forced into when I get too ill to work.
Fine if you’re retired and all washed-up up young’uns need to get out.
Thumbs up if you've enjoyed the opportunity to work from home and have a better quality of life.
Thumbs down if you would prefer to spend 5K plus a year on a cramped commute into London 5 days a week.
Thumbs down if you would prefer to spend 5K plus a year on a cramped commute into London 5 days a week.
Its the social aspect of working which is being missed, I do more deals in a social environment than sitting at home.
Its not so cut and dried for some. I hated working from home full time due to lack of space coupled with the fact there was no "break" from home . Once things are back to "normal" I sincerely hope that employers will be flexible and help employees find a balance, whether that's in the home or office full time or a split between the two -as long as you are productive.
With question-posing like that, you have a strong future in tabloid journalism!
Rishi needs to bring in a 'WFH income tax surcharge' so that people working from home pay more in order to make up for what they are not contributing to the economy through travel, coffee, lunch as well as cleaning staff etc.
20% for in the office vice 25% WFH and 40/45% for higher rate payers. Could be oro data if you have a few days in and a few WFH.
20% for in the office vice 25% WFH and 40/45% for higher rate payers. Could be oro data if you have a few days in and a few WFH.
Wow, only £5k, where do you live?
Or choice no. 3, don't live in London and have a much more pleasant commute (when you do wish to go to the office).
Also add to that that I've not been ill once the whole time. The minute I walk back into that office I'll catch everything going.
I suspect it's somewhere in between for most - so my thumb is at rest here. 4 days home 1 day commute, or 3/2, or 2/3 , or 4*10hrs + day off, whatever.
Similarly some folk are gay some are deffo not others exhibit a 'degree' of gayness etc . Learn that life has shades of grey !
Similarly some folk are gay some are deffo not others exhibit a 'degree' of gayness etc . Learn that life has shades of grey !
Wave you hands from side to side if you don't work in an office
If nothing else; the past year has highlighted the ridiculously high sums of money many of us lose just to travel to/from work.
Its not all about that. Where I worked the mantra 'work life balance' was used every time someone didn't want to come into the office because their dog had a cold or a few flakes of snow were falling or their kid had a headache. The drop in productivity resulting from home working isn't going to help this country get back on its feet. Commuting is a normal part of working life.
Not much of a choice you gave
Working From Home is a slacker's charter. And it suits self employed consultants and other non careers - it does not help young people trying to enter the world of work. They want mentors, peers, mates, chat and live networking rather than artisan bread for the stay at home under employed and self serving.
I wouldn't know, having been in the office at work in a school through out the whole mess
Another seed planting article from the BBC. Working from home is excellent give people the choice. Reduce carbon emissions, More hours gained without the daily commute, flexible workforce. But its a choice or should be. Just need Fibre optic rollout to happen now.
London has always being a mugs game. It seems to have taken a pandemic for many to question/realise this.
I live in Leeds; 2 mile walk/cycle to work and can afford a 4 bed house in a pleasant suburb. Working at home has only downsides for me.
I live in Leeds; 2 mile walk/cycle to work and can afford a 4 bed house in a pleasant suburb. Working at home has only downsides for me.
I much prefer working from my office which is 15 minutes walk from where I live so the commute costs me nothing. Bit of a leading question this one
Most office jobs can and should be done remotely - far more efficient than wasting about a working day each week commuting.
Can't say I'm missing the daily slog through traffic, and paying £100/month on fuel for the pleasure. Walk down the stairs is now my 'commute'. Loving it!
Mixed feelings, yes I like the additional time I get at home without the stress of the commute to be at a desk at 9am in the morning, but I also miss the social aspect of speaking to random people in person when making a coffee, wandering over to a desk to ask a question, or just having a chat over lunch.
The thought of a commute worries me. It’s why we need to be slowly easing back, don’t be afraid to delay and extend furlough. Otherwise you will have loads of tired and worn down folk rushing back all at once before the virus is beaten
The big landlords are terrified demand for their offices will never be the same.
I suspect the leadership at Canary Wharf are putting out the messages in this article to cheer up themselves and their own investors more than anything else.
I suspect the leadership at Canary Wharf are putting out the messages in this article to cheer up themselves and their own investors more than anything else.
One of the reasons why extending lockdown is so popular in polls is because all the ‘work from home’ shirkers are petrified of returning to work, where their colleagues have coped admirably without them.
Of course only a minority of work from homers are shirkers.
Of course only a minority of work from homers are shirkers.
Probably no higher a percentage than the number of shirkers in the office, and probably the same people too. Presence doesn’t equal productivity.
Hey shirker, shouldn't you be working instead of commenting here?
Not offensive at all are you. I have worked from home the entire time and actually think I am more productive as I don't get dragged into office chats or endless cups of tea.
Give a few days and people will get tired of the crowded and busy delay-ridden commutes, especially on very hot or wet days.
Man intrinsically reliant on people returning to office says "people want to return to office".
Indeed. If he's a bit clever he will convert some of the offices to flats. If not he will moan and moan, blame others, and demand "support", until he goes into administration.
I have said all along I would have been happy to work from the office all the way through this. I'm going stir crazy working from home, it is caving my head in
Man intrinsically reliant on people returning to office says "people want to return to office".
==
I have a number of friends and relatives who are or have worked from home. The only ones who have returned to the office are those without a satisfactory office space at home (tiny flat and/or noisy children). Most would prefer to keep on WFH.
Its the bosses want everyone in the office, not workers.
==
I have a number of friends and relatives who are or have worked from home. The only ones who have returned to the office are those without a satisfactory office space at home (tiny flat and/or noisy children). Most would prefer to keep on WFH.
Its the bosses want everyone in the office, not workers.
Working and leisure now mean staring at the same screen day and night
People are going slightly bonkers
People are going slightly bonkers
Erm... would it be better if you were staring at two different screens, one in the office and one at home?
Your problem is not home working, but that there are few things we can do away from the screen. But we'll be back to normal soon.
Your problem is not home working, but that there are few things we can do away from the screen. But we'll be back to normal soon.
I'm not tired at all. Getting loads of sleep
Rubbish !! WFH is the best thing thats ever happened !!
*provided that you've got a spare room to work in
*provided that you've got a spare room to work in
Nope - not everyone. I love working from home; great work/life balance, more family time, keeping to a routine, no travel, less money spent on takeaways.......team banter on Teams through the day.... Can't see many downsides myself, but imagine some miss physical social interaction, and delineation between home and work.
You can get most of the physical interaction from one or two days a week in the office. Delineation does require effort though- set boundaries.
I was working from home from March 2020 to August 2020. Then back working from home in December. I do not miss the office at all. I don't miss the noise (24 people in a office on phones all day) I don't miss the stress, the constant interruptions, meetings for the sake of meetings. If I had the choice I would never to back. I feel more relaxed, sleep better and my mental health is better
No you are never at work. It is just your life, normal. Commuting is not normal.
More than happy working from home as are 90% of my employees.
Production and flexibility has increased and the only increase in hours relates to peaks in demand that we would have experienced anyway
So absolutely no plans to force anyone back into the workplace, unless by choice
Production and flexibility has increased and the only increase in hours relates to peaks in demand that we would have experienced anyway
So absolutely no plans to force anyone back into the workplace, unless by choice
I have never been as productive since working from home. No hour long commutes to book end the day either. I'll have to eventually but will struggle to adjust back to office working.
I'm saving a fortune in commute money. But more importantly I'm also saving truck loads of time.
Plus I can work in an environment that's comfortable for me instead of a noisy, crowded office. Frankly I hope I never have to go back at all. The extra money and time are things I don't want to give up.
I don't doubt it's not all roses for some people, but I suspect in reality they are the minority
Plus I can work in an environment that's comfortable for me instead of a noisy, crowded office. Frankly I hope I never have to go back at all. The extra money and time are things I don't want to give up.
I don't doubt it's not all roses for some people, but I suspect in reality they are the minority
Interesting that it's mostly big business and those with property portfolios are saying we've all had enough of working from home.
Vested interests?
Vested interests?
"People are keen to return to the office because working from home has left many "fatigued", says a boss at Britain's biggest office and retail complex"
Well he would say that wouldn't he?
Actually CW have been converting as fast as possible to housing...so he's contradicting himself.
Its a distopian complex anyway most wd want to run from - and he thinks people wd chose to go there? LOL
Well he would say that wouldn't he?
Actually CW have been converting as fast as possible to housing...so he's contradicting himself.
Its a distopian complex anyway most wd want to run from - and he thinks people wd chose to go there? LOL
....oh and then having commuted there’s the daily scramble to find a desk in the ‘Agile’ office. No thanks. Happy as I am thanks. Happy to go in once a month if really necessary, not the other way around.
No, i am not tired! I do not miss the 1 1/2 hour, three train commute to Canary Wharf at 6 am, I have been more productive at home for the past year. I have more time to work as less fatigued. I still have great interaction and banter with colleagues. I see more of my family and spend quality time with my dog! I love it!
It really is a no brainer, peoples quality of life should be paramount. After all we're actually more productive and business can thrive long term and surely that's what gvmt now want? Just makes HS2 now look like the equivalent of a handbrake on a canoe - not required. Office space could become space for apartments for those looking to getting on property ladder. Opportunities are everywhere
I prefer to be in the office because being stuck in the same house as your wife and 2 kids 24 hours a day , 7 days will stress test any relationship!
Sounds like you married the wrong person!
That’s more of a reflection on your relationships and lockdown rather than the point which is someone with a huge financial incentive to have us go back to the office wanting us to do so. Personally, I’m loving it. But each to their own! Hang on in there, bud!
"People are keen to return to the office because working from home has left many "fatigued", says a boss at Britain's biggest office and retail complex"
Well he would say that wouldn't he?
Actually CW have been converting as fast as possible to housing...so he's contradicting himself.
Its a distopian complex anyway most wd want to run from - and he thinks people wd chose to go there? LOL
Well he would say that wouldn't he?
Actually CW have been converting as fast as possible to housing...so he's contradicting himself.
Its a distopian complex anyway most wd want to run from - and he thinks people wd chose to go there? LOL
Working and leisure now mean staring at the same screen day and night
People are going slightly bonkers
People are going slightly bonkers
He wishes. High fliers with plenty of cash to burn and few ties will want to go back. Most will want to stay at home more then they go in. There'll be an initial bumb of people going back but it will auto correct like a dead cat bounce. He's just panicked that if serfs (Sorry, I mean staff) don't come back then Canary Warf will be the canary in a coal mine for the future of massive offices. DEAD.
Thumbs up if you've enjoyed the opportunity to work from home and have a better quality of life.
Thumbs down if you would prefer to spend 5K plus a year on a cramped commute into London 5 days a week.
Thumbs down if you would prefer to spend 5K plus a year on a cramped commute into London 5 days a week.
Good for you. Meanwhile us developers who would otherwise be sat in isolated offices are happy for the reduced micromanagement from overbearing managers.
And that's fine. If you miss the office environment and feel you're more productive there, then by all means go and work there. Those of us however who prefer to work from home, and so long as our employers are happy with our productivity, we should in turn be allowed to do that.
Sounds as though you don't need an office either. Bar and/or restaurant would surely do!
So many companies have already killed off or heavily regulated the social aspects of jobs though - limited breaks on company time, no fraternising with other teams etc etc and insisting on corporate control of out-of-hours events which makes them just less fun. It's not the loss that office companies and their advertisements of the value of in-person workspaces would have you believe.
Totally agree. As someone who has lived alone during lockdown I couldnt agree more that the social element is important. luckily I work a job where I have been back in the office since last August but realistically a 50/50 mix would be best and I think that would help out a lot of people, particularly those with child caring responsibilities
Me too.
One of the reasons why extending lockdown is so popular in polls is because all the ‘work from home’ shirkers are petrified of returning to work, where their colleagues have coped admirably without them.
Of course only a minority of work from homers are shirkers.
Of course only a minority of work from homers are shirkers.
But being monitored makes the shirker's life more challenging.
I think presence does equal productivity across all employees.
I think presence does equal productivity across all employees.
I've spoken to hundreds of people through work since C-19, and the clear majority have benefitted significantly from WFH and want to continue to do so.
A number of my clients have shut down their offices for good and others looking to rent out a simple workspace with no set structure. Most have said they'll be WHF 2 days, in the office 3. Sounds like a good compromise, especially with train fares.
A number of my clients have shut down their offices for good and others looking to rent out a simple workspace with no set structure. Most have said they'll be WHF 2 days, in the office 3. Sounds like a good compromise, especially with train fares.
One of the reasons why extending lockdown is so popular in polls is because all the ‘work from home’ shirkers are petrified of returning to work, where their colleagues have coped admirably without them.
Of course only a minority of work from homers are shirkers.
Of course only a minority of work from homers are shirkers.
"Boss at Britain's biggest office and retail complex says people are keen to return to the office"
Well... he would say that, wouldn't he?
Have you tried... you know, asking the people rather than the boss?
Well... he would say that, wouldn't he?
Have you tried... you know, asking the people rather than the boss?
Even the boss is very pleased to be able to downsize the amount of expensive office space needed. The only people unhappy are the property owners, who will need to think of new uses for their redundant buildings.
Now I sleep one hour longer, I don't have to endure all the mobile phone addicts on the train, I take longer lunch breaks, and I finish work no later than the time I used to come back from the office.
Work benefits too, because I take my long break while a long process is running on the computer; in the past I'd just mess around or even worse distract the colleagues with small talk.
Etc...
Work benefits too, because I take my long break while a long process is running on the computer; in the past I'd just mess around or even worse distract the colleagues with small talk.
Etc...
Agree with everything you say here
Interesting that certain Bosses are keen to get this on to the agenda to get us all to go back to the office. There is more to do to get the working from home balance right, but seem to me that some want to reset back to where we were.
My company is trusting that we are working effectively so there is no need to be be in the office all the time. Balance is the key here.
My company is trusting that we are working effectively so there is no need to be be in the office all the time. Balance is the key here.
100% Chris. In modern society balance is something we are missing. I enjoy both and dependent on the cap I'm wearing both scenarios are extremely productive for my mental health/stress and work life balance. We shouldn't be going back to large traffic swarms and lengthy travel times any more. It's time to adopt and adapt to our situation. The ability to do so is a sign of intelligence
Working from home for me has been a revelation, I esitmate I'm at least 30% more productive, I don't have the stress of the drive to and from work, I can get on with jobs in my lunch break and I am eating far more healthily, being able to prepare lunches in my kitchen.
I get more time with familly and feel my quality of life is better than when I was in the office 5 days a week.
I get more time with familly and feel my quality of life is better than when I was in the office 5 days a week.
“People are tired of working from home” says the boss of the UK’s biggest office complex.
Well he would wouldn’t he.
I’m not tired, I love it, saving hours of pointless commuting, saving money on travel and overpriced coffee and sandwiches.
I never want to go back to the office ever again.
Well he would wouldn’t he.
I’m not tired, I love it, saving hours of pointless commuting, saving money on travel and overpriced coffee and sandwiches.
I never want to go back to the office ever again.
Your coffee and sandwiches cannot be overpriced if you bought them. The transaction involved a fair market price paid by a willing buyer. Make your own every day if you can be bothered.
All roses for me. Although will there be a job you when the government stop assisting or your company ask you to take a pay cut.
"I’m not tired"
But 20 downvoters (at time of writing) say you ARE tired.
:-D
Tired of not visiting their offices, standing on their cramped, smelly trains, their overpriced sandwich & coffee, their uncomfortable "office clothes", and office politics.
I need a lie down just thinking about that lot.
But 20 downvoters (at time of writing) say you ARE tired.
:-D
Tired of not visiting their offices, standing on their cramped, smelly trains, their overpriced sandwich & coffee, their uncomfortable "office clothes", and office politics.
I need a lie down just thinking about that lot.
Agree - why would working in the office be better? It's the same as working from home with a costly time wasting commute either side of it. Either way you're stuck indoors. I don't miss the office for one minute and I'd gladly never go back.
You can't buy things and then complain they were overpriced. They are that price in part because you pay that much for them.
You sound like the type that wants permanent lockdown (so you're in luck). No friends, so no need of pubs or restaurants, let them go bankrupt eh?
"I never want to go back to the office ever again."
So you never want to meet work colleagues again?
So you never want to meet work colleagues again?
Be careful what you wish for, there are thousands who have lost their jobs while you've had the opportunity to carry on with yours.
And you probably do not give a damn about your job .
I won't shed any tears if a few coffee shops and sandwich bars close, there are too many anyway. But what about the poor staff, you say? They can easily find another job paying crap wages, McDonald's are always hiring. Coffee/sandwich shops, estate agents, banks and charity shops are things we can all live with a few less of quite easily. It's about all that's available in most town centres.
Surely it depends on the job and the office in question? Some jobs are easier in a quiet room alone while some are better achieved in a team environment. Likewise some people like the social aspect of an office while others prefer no interruptions. I'm retired now (hurrah!), but I think I'd like to have been face-to-face with colleagues at least once a week.
Well this is categorically untrue.
I don't miss being literally *face to face* on a commuter train that is at 130% capacity.
I don't miss the cost of being in and around London. It would be nice to see colleagues but at the end of the day my social circle does not rely on them.
Sounds like another nervous boss keen to suggest that Covid wasn't a massive win for Metro workers.
I don't miss being literally *face to face* on a commuter train that is at 130% capacity.
I don't miss the cost of being in and around London. It would be nice to see colleagues but at the end of the day my social circle does not rely on them.
Sounds like another nervous boss keen to suggest that Covid wasn't a massive win for Metro workers.
For sale. Large complex at Canary Wharf. Suit large international conglomerate or 200 charity shops.
"the occasional day working at home" LOL, in his dreams.
After an initial rush back, once people realise how much more expensive it is to commute in each day, and how much time it eats out of their day, they will revert to at least 2 or 3 days a week working at home, and why shouldn't they? Good for them, good for the environment.
After an initial rush back, once people realise how much more expensive it is to commute in each day, and how much time it eats out of their day, they will revert to at least 2 or 3 days a week working at home, and why shouldn't they? Good for them, good for the environment.
If you live in a commuter town and normally commute into London, your salary now will be based on wage rates in your commuter town. Happy?
Wages will be adjusted to take account of any such savings - only a matter of time.
One day per week worked well for me before I retired (a few years before Covid). Enough to keep in touch with other people at the office, and as it was Friday often a chance to socialise.
One of the reasons why extending lockdown is so popular in polls is because all the ‘work from home’ shirkers are petrified of returning to work, where their colleagues have coped admirably without them.
Of course only a minority of work from homers are shirkers.
Of course only a minority of work from homers are shirkers.
If you are offended by that post you need to get more (so WFH might not be best for you!).
We're finding out that, actually, there are good reasons why we've done things the way we have for the last few hundred years. We're also discovering that a life without contact with friends, family and colleagues is utterly miserable, and needs to come to an end. Yes, we should embrace new working practices - e.g. more wfh, but most importantly, we must defeat the tyranny of the 'new normal'.
“Owner of offices says people don’t want to work from home.” Shocker.
I’ve worked from home since last March. Within my company, productivity is unchanged if not better.
There are undoubtedly people who would rather work from the office but not me! Fatigued? Nope. I was fatigued when doing a two-hour commute every day and paying £150 a month in travel costs. Beware of blanket statements!
I’ve worked from home since last March. Within my company, productivity is unchanged if not better.
There are undoubtedly people who would rather work from the office but not me! Fatigued? Nope. I was fatigued when doing a two-hour commute every day and paying £150 a month in travel costs. Beware of blanket statements!
300pm here, including temp accommodation.
If you can work from home and save the money you would have spent on a commute you can build a very elaborate home office extension at home to create that home/office illusion. Saving £5k+ a year on travelling to work will buy a very nice home/office improvement be it a home extension or a stand alone building in the garden
sooner the better, might get some decent customer service instead of the constant bleating and excuses because of covid.
Ok Karen
It's funny how companies in the office business are producing surveys saying everyone wants to go back to the office, while companies in the work from home business are producing surveys saying everyone wants to keep the WFH flexibility they've gained.
I didn't know people can't get a haircut, enjoy a lunchtime coffee or see friends while WFH.
I'm certainly not missing paying over the odds for the privilege of being packed into a commuter train at the top and tail ends of the day. Plus, making coffee at home is a great deal cheaper than paying the going rate at your average coffee chain.
As usual no-one seems to consider the poor employer. The majority of employers I deal with in a business capacity would far rather have employees physically present in work. There is simply no control or accountability with staff at home. It is also very hard to encourage team working and there is no spontaneity of ideas or feeding off each other to encourage good practise
Working and leisure now mean staring at the same screen day and night
People are going slightly bonkers
People are going slightly bonkers
Where is Mr Dawber's evidence for this?
It may be that some, or even most people are tired of working from home, but equally there will be many people who are glad to avoid an unpleasant, time-consuming and expensive commute.
Then there is this obsession that collaboration is some kind of ambrosia (not so for many jobs) and secondly that it cannot be achieved remotely (it can).
It may be that some, or even most people are tired of working from home, but equally there will be many people who are glad to avoid an unpleasant, time-consuming and expensive commute.
Then there is this obsession that collaboration is some kind of ambrosia (not so for many jobs) and secondly that it cannot be achieved remotely (it can).
If you’re a narcissistic psychopath, working from home is probably for you. If you enjoy the company of your fellow human beans, then the sooner we all get back to the old normal, the better.
Let's rephrase that a bit. If, while you are working, you prefer to avoid a long commute, concentrate on what you are doing and understand that, outside a pandemic, you can enjoy the company of others outside of work, then in your opinion you are a narcissistic psychopath? What a strange view!
Or perhaps people like me can get more done at home than being in the office? Flexi working is the way forwards, as being able to go for a walk or sit in the garden is a big plus over being stuck in an office for 5 days a week.
If you have issues and need to be around people all the time then 5 days in the office is probably for you.
If you have issues and need to be around people all the time then 5 days in the office is probably for you.
Enjoying the company of other human beings it not the opposite of being narcissistic. What would be the point of narcissism in solitude if nobody else can see or hear you?
Similarly, I don't see any evidence that psychopaths shirk human company either.
Frankly, the further away from other humans I am, the better I like it. I think that is becoming the "new normal".
Similarly, I don't see any evidence that psychopaths shirk human company either.
Frankly, the further away from other humans I am, the better I like it. I think that is becoming the "new normal".
... human beans with a bottle of cold chianti ?
I'd rather be a narcissistic psychpath than Hannibal Lecter :)
I'd rather be a narcissistic psychpath than Hannibal Lecter :)
“Owner of offices says people don’t want to work from home.” Shocker.
I’ve worked from home since last March. Within my company, productivity is unchanged if not better.
There are undoubtedly people who would rather work from the office but not me! Fatigued? Nope. I was fatigued when doing a two-hour commute every day and paying £150 a month in travel costs. Beware of blanket statements!
I’ve worked from home since last March. Within my company, productivity is unchanged if not better.
There are undoubtedly people who would rather work from the office but not me! Fatigued? Nope. I was fatigued when doing a two-hour commute every day and paying £150 a month in travel costs. Beware of blanket statements!
When you can't go anywhere, spending an additional 35-40 hours per week at home isn't many people's idea of fun.