What next for office culture (and the commute)?

[Fellowo]

It is all very well working from home but would the companies agree to pay for:-
Electricity
Heating
Computer hardware and maintenance
Software and its security and maintenance
Telephone line(s)/Internet
Part of the council tax
Cost of converting a room to an office so the employee can concentrate on their work, if they have the room to spare.

People should not just say "great I'd love to work at home", without asking for renumeration, so the company can cut its overheads and reap the benefits.
I also think that a lot of people wouldn't want to work from home mainly because you can get away from work at the end of the day whereas working from home they would feel "obliged" to carry on and work extra for nothing.

Heard someone went to renew his house insurance and added that filling out the form he came across the question” Do you use your property for business purposes which he said Yes because his company said he could work from home during Covid 19. The result was his insurance went up by around £100.. This raises the question for anybody now working at home whether your existing home insurance covers you or should your be covered on your employers insurance

This depends on what the Insurer define as Business Purposes and should have asked before saying yes. Also from an Insurance view, it should be considered that someone working from home is a better risk as the property will always be occupied and therefore reduces the risk of theft from the property.

[moonwalk19]

There are thousands of people working from home that are unclear as to whether they are covered on their existing home insurance. Insurance companies should make a defined statement to the media

[Smendrick Feaselberg]

There are thousands of people working from home that are unclear as to whether they are covered on their existing home insurance. Insurance companies should make a defined statement to the media

Our home insurers (Bradford & Bingley) emailed about working from home on 3 April, so not sure they would need to make a media announcement.

I’m now working from home due to COVID-19 - do I need to let my home and contents insurer know?

You don’t need to contact us about this if you’re a clerical/office worker who’s now based at home, your insurance cover will not be affected during this period. If your work involves holding trade stock at home, or you have your customers visiting you, or you have a Landlords Contents policy, then please contact us to discuss this as we may need to update your cover. In the event of a claim involving administrative business equipment (e.g. laptops) provided by your employer to support this activity, please seek advice from your employer as any loss or damage should be covered by them.

Seems pretty clear to me. No doubt other insurers would have done the same. Suspect you're making a fuss over nothing.

[EastDerehamO]

My company has 5% in the office as of now, aim to get up to 15% within the next month, but not sure how much further it will creep this year, for previous policy of packing people in like sardines to save on accommodation costs means the physical headcount limit with covid restrictions is fairly low – and the company to their credit have been impressive around their covid response.

All staff have had the opportunity to apply for a part-time office return, from what I’ve heard that is over-subscribed, so not all will get their wish, and us in IT will likely be the last back.

I don’t think anyone will be forced to work from home long-term, but whatever that new normality will be, there’s an expectation that most of us who don’t physically need to be in the office will often/ predominantly work from home, for many staff have already seen the advantages of it. But it’s not for all, some good points raised here around specific circumstances, those within walking distance of the office it’d probably cost them more home working factoring in heating etc, but for the bulk like me who are a distance away, we’d be overwhelmingly in on time and expense not having to travel to work.

[Dunners]

We had about 300 roles based in our head office in London before lockdown. Since then we've made the offices as Covid-secure as possible. If any staff really want or need to work from our office, they can put forward a request. For the last few months the total number of staff who have requested to work from our office has been just 8 per day. And it's always been the same 8.

[Millennial Snowflake]

[RientO]

I suspect that some in IT like me will never return to the office at all as once office space is reduced to the essentials there will be no space left. Prior to COVID-19, I was told in January to work from home more despite having spent 60 days working remotely the previous year. In February, I lost my old desk due to another department wanting the space and was put into a desk pool where I was only obliged to come in once a week. I would always come in for at least two days most weeks when Mrs. RientO would be at home and all 5 when kids were off school. My boss came into the office less than 10 times in the 12 months from March 2019 - February 2020.

As things stand, I will be retiring before I see my office.

[Disoriented]

The office is dead.

[Millennial Snowflake]

One of the aspects of working from home as a permanent move is that the company still has the same requirement to meet Health & Safety levels compatible with the office. This to include support measures as working from home can cause increased stress - no peer support, potentially juggling childcare with work, etc.

The company also needs to ensure that the employee has a suitable work area, work desk and all associated equipment - to include appropriate seats (specialist if needed) at the companies expense. Broadband costs shouldn't need to be solely borne by the employee as the bulk of usage is likely to be for company use. If they can get away with it many companies may be "backwards in coming forwards" when it comes to providing all the correct equipment and due expenses.

This is a good point about H&S, but in practice almost impossible to implement. My other half requires multiple screens to do her job effectively but she was made to purchase a monitor to hook up to her work laptop, as well as an office chair, as her employer told her she’d have to collect the equipment from the office in person if she wanted to bring them home (which is totally counter intuitive in a lockdown where you’re not supposed to use public transport). Obviously the most senior people had all their belongings delivered to their front door via courier though

Definitely recommend investing in an adjustable office chair if you’re in a similar situation tho. You can get a good quality one that’s not too pricey - I purchased this from amazon for under £50: It’s self assembly so a ball ache getting it together but does the job.

[EastDerehamO]

I suspect that some in IT like me will never return to the office at all as once office space is reduced to the essentials there will be no space left. Prior to COVID-19, I was told in January to work from home more despite having spent 60 days working remotely the previous year. In February, I lost my old desk due to another department wanting the space and was put into a desk pool where I was only obliged to come in once a week. I would always come in for at least two days most weeks when Mrs. RientO would be at home and all 5 when kids were off school. My boss came into the office less than 10 times in the 12 months from March 2019 - February 2020.

As things stand, I will be retiring before I see my office.

Yep, I think the new normality for my IT team post Covid will be pop in once a week or fortnight maybe for team meets (albeit they work fine on MS Teams), and for the odd occasional project white boarding session where getting everyone around a table has the edge on MS Teams, but that'll be it. Fine by me.

Going in to clear my locker & desktop early next month as is everyone else, accommodation can then reorg the offices, and there's bound to be far less desks than there was before as a result.

[StillSpike]

We had about 300 roles based in our head office in London before lockdown. Since then we've made the offices as Covid-secure as possible. If any staff really want or need to work from our office, they can put forward a request. For the last few months the total number of staff who have requested to work from our office has been just 8 per day. And it's always been the same 8.

The "office romance" is still alive (just). Bless them.

[Currywurst and Chips]

[Thor]

The office is dead.

yeah it was funny series and david brent was a true parody of a boss in an office. Shame, but it was a program of its day.

[Dunners]

We had about 300 roles based in our head office in London before lockdown. Since then we've made the offices as Covid-secure as possible. If any staff really want or need to work from our office, they can put forward a request. For the last few months the total number of staff who have requested to work from our office has been just 8 per day. And it's always been the same 8.

The "office romance" is still alive (just). Bless them.

Knowing a couple of people who make up this 8, you're very close to the mark!

[tuffers#1]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53925917

Seems a Big push is coming to Force people back to the Office

[Long slender neck]

As infection rates climb steadily. Great idea.

[Sid Bishop]

Stay at home office workers will help to kill off many restaurant and snack bar jobs which rely on workers coming to work in their offices who in turn contribute to a lot of the trade they do. This will happen worldwide, not just in the UK.

[tuffers#1]

Stay at home office workers will help to kill off many restaurant and snack bar jobs which rely on workers coming to work in their offices who in turn contribute to a lot of the trade they do. This will happen worldwide, not just in the UK.

If a Buisness is saving so much money annually
Surely it is wiser for them to look at alternatives .

New buisnesses will have to pop up .

You could convert all that prime real estate for
Housing just as 1 example Sid .

After the 1st january lits will have to change .

Time for new buisnesses & New wealth to be created.
Just needs some competent people to get involved.

[Sid Bishop]

Stay at home office workers will help to kill off many restaurant and snack bar jobs which rely on workers coming to work in their offices who in turn contribute to a lot of the trade they do. This will happen worldwide, not just in the UK.

If a Buisness is saving so much money annually
Surely it is wiser for them to look at alternatives .

New buisnesses will have to pop up .

You could convert all that prime real estate for
Housing just as 1 example Sid .

After the 1st january lits will have to change .

Time for new buisnesses & New wealth to be created.
Just needs some competent people to get involved.

You give advice to others how to run their businesses and jobs, how have you been getting on in this Covid19 virus time since March 2020 with your own job or business that you run ?

[tuffers#1]

Stay at home office workers will help to kill off many restaurant and snack bar jobs which rely on workers coming to work in their offices who in turn contribute to a lot of the trade they do. This will happen worldwide, not just in the UK.

If a Buisness is saving so much money annually
Surely it is wiser for them to look at alternatives .

New buisnesses will have to pop up .

You could convert all that prime real estate for
Housing just as 1 example Sid .

After the 1st january lits will have to change .

Time for new buisnesses & New wealth to be created.
Just needs some competent people to get involved.

You give advice to others how to run their businesses and jobs, how have you been getting on in this Covid19 virus time since March 2020 with your own job or business that you run ?

Ive given No advice Sid
Just stating what others who are running there own buisnesses are doing.

As for me
Ive started some tentative plans for something very new for myself .
Funding is sorted should i choose to do it , as its not really costing an awful lot .

Its just a case of where i set it up .

In the U.K or somewhere else .

How about you Sid ?

[Sid Bishop]

If a Buisness is saving so much money annually
Surely it is wiser for them to look at alternatives .

New buisnesses will have to pop up .

You could convert all that prime real estate for
Housing just as 1 example Sid .

After the 1st january lits will have to change .

Time for new buisnesses & New wealth to be created.
Just needs some competent people to get involved.

You give advice to others how to run their businesses and jobs, how have you been getting on in this Covid19 virus time since March 2020 with your own job or business that you run ?

Ive given No advice Sid
Just stating what others who are running there own buisnesses are doing.

As for me
Ive started some tentative plans for something very new for myself .
Funding is sorted should i choose to do it , as its not really costing an awful lot .

Its just a case of where i set it up .

In the U.K or somewhere else .

How about you Sid ?

I am 72 years old, on my pension and long retired from working for firms as an engineer. Still doing a lot of work though, what with doing my own jobs and helping others in many ways. Glad to hear you have some plans sorted out for yourself, well done and good luck for your new ventures.

[tuffers#1]

You give advice to others how to run their businesses and jobs, how have you been getting on in this Covid19 virus time since March 2020 with your own job or business that you run ?

Ive given No advice Sid
Just stating what others who are running there own buisnesses are doing.

As for me
Ive started some tentative plans for something very new for myself .
Funding is sorted should i choose to do it , as its not really costing an awful lot .

Its just a case of where i set it up .

In the U.K or somewhere else .

How about you Sid ?

I am 72 years old, on my pension and long retired from working for firms as an engineer. Still doing a lot of work though, what with doing my own jobs and helping others in many ways. Glad to hear you have some plans sorted out for yourself, well done and good luck for your new ventures.

Cheers Sid

Goad you're keeping fit & busy

Always good to help others out when you can.
Never been shy of putting myself forward

[Real Al]

Having a Pret every 100m in the City is the pinnacle of capitalism. We can't let that just die.

[Dunners]

I guess that's the city centre economy finished then. I know a few firms had been making some tentative token gestures towards getting office workers back, but they'll need to start planning for next year soon.

[Currywurst and Chips]

Trains have been getting a bit busy of late. Hopefully this reverses that trend