Home working

For those that are able to work from home and their work can be done from home then this should be the new normal- t

Why the contribution is important

This will reduce public transport burden, workplace numbers and reduce transmission and make social distancing in the work place easier to achieve
Organisations may have a mix of in work and home
Easing of local social contact measures in personal life will make this easier than the current social distancing from everyone for those who "need" the social contact of work colleagues

by iaminterested on May 05, 2020 at 05:47PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.6
Based on: 33 votes

Comments

  • Posted by Louisasneezer May 05, 2020 at 17:58

    My place of employment went to remote working immediately and while it is not necessarily the ideal 100% of the time, it has proven that output and focus and general efficiencies have been achieved - but to mention reducing stress on individuals and the environment by removing unnecessary commuting.

  • Posted by Ruth May 05, 2020 at 17:59

    We also need better broadband.

  • Posted by LanaS May 05, 2020 at 18:01

    The mental health difficulties of extended work from home cannot be underestimated. Considerstion to staggered or rota office working to allow distancing at least later in year would help this.

  • Posted by Mia5386 May 05, 2020 at 18:06

    This is probably the most effective way of keeping the economy going and is also a step which should be considered as part of an effective climate change.

  • Posted by Interfaithscotland May 05, 2020 at 18:29

    Working from home a reasonable percentage of the time would seem a good way forward especially as it may contribute positively to the current climate challenge. However a mix of working from home and office contact may be good for office moral and the mental health of those who live alone.

  • Posted by anniemay May 05, 2020 at 18:37

    I would agree that people should be encouraged to work from home as much as possible, both to prevent the transmission of the virus and also to reduce emissions. Having previously worked for both the Local Authority and the NHS in rural Grampian, the amount of unnecessary travelling to a central point for meetings can now be mitigated with the use of IT.

  • Posted by HSGLarch May 05, 2020 at 20:04

    Agreed, where WFH is feasibleand productive for employee and employer it should continue. Consideration needs to be given to formal and informal childcare along side this. Many parents are burnt out trying to WFH and care for their children. It is not feasible to carry on like this for an extended period of time. Suggestion would be to allow close family members e.g. grandparents to resume informal childcare (with guidance around widening household bubbles to accommodate). As well as resuming formal children settings and education, when safe to do so.

  • Posted by Ooshie May 05, 2020 at 20:55

    I agree - if work can be done from home then it should be made mandatory that it is. Or, at the very least, made mandatory for employers to offer that choice with no disincentives.

  • Posted by Pandamamma May 05, 2020 at 21:19

    I agree working from home if possible should be undertaken, however I have concerns about the mental health implications of maintaining this exclusively going forward. As a working parent trying unsuccessfully to juggle home working and childcare of a toddler I also fear that people who can work from home will be disadvantaged in children returning to nursery and school, with the nurseries prioritising the children of those who are unable to work from home without realistically considering the struggle that home working and full time childcare can cause and also how this would disadvantage those children both socially and developmentally

  • Posted by susanjgla May 05, 2020 at 22:07

    At the very least, organisations should view requests to work from home positively.

  • Posted by LindaD May 05, 2020 at 23:49

    This is a real practical measure which will keep people off public transport and help reduce the rates of transmission. May also help employers comply with social distance rules by having fewer people on the premise.

  • Posted by marge5867 May 06, 2020 at 08:17

    This should definitely be considered as a longer term working model where possible and where it can reduce unnecessary travel and increase productivity.

  • Posted by PK673 May 06, 2020 at 17:23

    I think working from home is good for people with a long commute on public transport. I have a 3 hour per day commute on 4 trains and I am terrified right now of having to go back to that. Mental health issues do come into working from home and as someone who has suffered depression for 30 years but always forced myself into work, I have actually felt so much better mentally. Not stressed about commute or seeing people. I am also for some reason much more productive at home, probably because I'm not tired with three hour commute. But it comes down to covid-19 and I most certainly do not want to commute right now.

  • Posted by JohnED May 11, 2020 at 21:51

    Being able to work from home has enabled many businesses to carry on, during such difficult times. However on many occasions the employee is baring the bunt of any additional costs, such as electricity, heating or broadband. Some form of relief or one of payment should be made to those working from home.
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