doctor Bob
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MISSING OFFICE LIFE
- Thread starter geek84
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SammyQ
Established Member
Dr. Bob, I have to confess, I retain a rich vein of such graphic, earthy, hyperbole; garnered from three and a half manic years in "Darry" (Londonderry) in the mid-seventies. My co-shift-workers then were an inventive, coarse, uninhibited bunch of escapees from.the local asylum and at least 20% exhibited mannerisms confirming they were "on something".
Working - and in many of their cases, living - so close to the political and paramilitary maelstrom that was Derry City back then seemed to encourage a cynical, OTT, black sense of humour, most of which was "unbroadcastable by the BBC".
Along the lines of this post's original thrust, I remember fondly "Spider" Kelly, a wee, twitchy man in his late fifties, with a habit of raising his left shoulder up at you in conversation. I later found out he got his moniker in the boxing ring, where his opponents thought he had eight arms he hit them so often in a short space of time...
Sam.
Working - and in many of their cases, living - so close to the political and paramilitary maelstrom that was Derry City back then seemed to encourage a cynical, OTT, black sense of humour, most of which was "unbroadcastable by the BBC".
Along the lines of this post's original thrust, I remember fondly "Spider" Kelly, a wee, twitchy man in his late fifties, with a habit of raising his left shoulder up at you in conversation. I later found out he got his moniker in the boxing ring, where his opponents thought he had eight arms he hit them so often in a short space of time...
Sam.
Blackswanwood
Still Learning
I can relate to the OP and miss the buzz and social interaction of the office much more than I would have thought.
We are trying to create a model where employees do a blend of working from home and the office. Even those who said they didn’t need to do it have confirmed when that they enjoy coming back in. In my view Zoom, Microsoft Teams and all the other technology are great but only go so far.
We have also put a lot of effort into making sure employees don’t feel cut off and isolated. It comes easily to good managers to run a catch up where they include time for some informal chat and bring everyone in. We have also had a few of the team run charity quizzes over Zoom to which they invite their colleagues in the evening as if in a virtual pub. It may sound a bit naff but I am told they are. Maybe @geek84 you could instigate something similar?
Commuting usually provides a buffer between home and work normally so try and do something to replace it. A walk, run or cycle ride works for me and I usually see a neighbour to have a quick chat with. I knew a lot of people in the village I live in by sight pre March - I now know most by name.
I also try to make an effort not to spend the whole day on the phone or screen and try and call three colleagues per day just for a five minute gossip.
The mention in a post above about volunteering is an interesting one. I know of several employees who have gone down this route and was particularly struck by hearing one talk about how he enjoys spending a couple of hours each week calling isolated elderly people for a chat. Shame on me as I hadn’t expected a nineteen year old lad who is mainly interested in clubbing and partying to find the memories of a lady in her nineties of celebrating VJ Day interesting.
We are trying to create a model where employees do a blend of working from home and the office. Even those who said they didn’t need to do it have confirmed when that they enjoy coming back in. In my view Zoom, Microsoft Teams and all the other technology are great but only go so far.
We have also put a lot of effort into making sure employees don’t feel cut off and isolated. It comes easily to good managers to run a catch up where they include time for some informal chat and bring everyone in. We have also had a few of the team run charity quizzes over Zoom to which they invite their colleagues in the evening as if in a virtual pub. It may sound a bit naff but I am told they are. Maybe @geek84 you could instigate something similar?
Commuting usually provides a buffer between home and work normally so try and do something to replace it. A walk, run or cycle ride works for me and I usually see a neighbour to have a quick chat with. I knew a lot of people in the village I live in by sight pre March - I now know most by name.
I also try to make an effort not to spend the whole day on the phone or screen and try and call three colleagues per day just for a five minute gossip.
The mention in a post above about volunteering is an interesting one. I know of several employees who have gone down this route and was particularly struck by hearing one talk about how he enjoys spending a couple of hours each week calling isolated elderly people for a chat. Shame on me as I hadn’t expected a nineteen year old lad who is mainly interested in clubbing and partying to find the memories of a lady in her nineties of celebrating VJ Day interesting.
RobinBHM
Established Member
Covid has seen businesses give up swanky London offices after seeing their business continue fine with staff WFH.
It sadly means those London businesses that get footfall from office workers are likely to go under. But it also may mean a growth in localism.
Maybe In villages "business hubs" could be set up - where WFH people can go for a few hours and interact and work. A bit like coffee shops but with a bit more office facility, maybe with rooms to hire by the hour for meetings and stuff.
It sadly means those London businesses that get footfall from office workers are likely to go under. But it also may mean a growth in localism.
Maybe In villages "business hubs" could be set up - where WFH people can go for a few hours and interact and work. A bit like coffee shops but with a bit more office facility, maybe with rooms to hire by the hour for meetings and stuff.
lurker
Le dullard de la commune
Been retired for three years now. Thought that I was going to miss it but have not.
This might come as a shock for some.
But most of the work that benefits society doesn't take place in an office.
This might come as a shock for some.
But most of the work that benefits society doesn't take place in an office.
billw
The Tattooed One
I'm with @AJB Temple on this one. I'm pretty introverted anyway (in real life, not on the internet) and rarely venture out. I preferred working in teams of one when I had office jobs, the thought of having to make small talk with people I barely knew filled me with dread so I generally hid away in an office and got on with my work.
I've been a student for the last three years, just going into my socially isolated final year, and this term I do everything online and it's brilliant! Young students are lethargic, uninterested, rarely bothered to prepare for seminars, were horrendous in group project, etc etc - thank god I don't have to sit in a lecture hall full of them chatting to each other.
Just as retail is going to have to change, or die, so perhaps will the concept of commuting and having to live close to where your employer works. Surely this will be good for more rural areas, allowing people to live in smaller places with cheaper housing and supporting more localised businesses rather than Starbucks and Pret?
Maybe people would then start to socialise with other workers that they enjoyed the company of, rather than the ones their employer gained the most value from. Great idea if you ask me, although obviously I'll just stay at home anyway.
I've been a student for the last three years, just going into my socially isolated final year, and this term I do everything online and it's brilliant! Young students are lethargic, uninterested, rarely bothered to prepare for seminars, were horrendous in group project, etc etc - thank god I don't have to sit in a lecture hall full of them chatting to each other.
Just as retail is going to have to change, or die, so perhaps will the concept of commuting and having to live close to where your employer works. Surely this will be good for more rural areas, allowing people to live in smaller places with cheaper housing and supporting more localised businesses rather than Starbucks and Pret?
Maybe people would then start to socialise with other workers that they enjoyed the company of, rather than the ones their employer gained the most value from. Great idea if you ask me, although obviously I'll just stay at home anyway.
I've been working from home pretty much since March.
I find Skype tremendously useful for communicating with folk in the office & just having a general chat with colleagues i like. Whats ap has been handy too.
I think the main way i'm finding to handle it is to try & stick to a routine. Get up at the same time, get dressed as normal (i've heard some people aren't doing), just act as if going out to work but erm you're not. Try to decide some structure to the day too as that helps.
Sounds odd but the thing I think I miss most is the actual act involved in coming home, I really liked leaving work, getting in car & then eventually pulling onto driveway & stepping through front door. Does seem a weird thing to miss !
I find Skype tremendously useful for communicating with folk in the office & just having a general chat with colleagues i like. Whats ap has been handy too.
I think the main way i'm finding to handle it is to try & stick to a routine. Get up at the same time, get dressed as normal (i've heard some people aren't doing), just act as if going out to work but erm you're not. Try to decide some structure to the day too as that helps.
Sounds odd but the thing I think I miss most is the actual act involved in coming home, I really liked leaving work, getting in car & then eventually pulling onto driveway & stepping through front door. Does seem a weird thing to miss !
Keith 66
Established Member
I spent most of my career in the boat trade & have worked with some thoroughly entertaining & good people. I miss the cameraderie & banter which was often hilarious. Then worked in the education sector as a school D&T technician. I enjoyed that as well & was lucky to work with some great teachers who appreciated my skill set, Some great kids too. I packed it in back in march. I do not miss the apalling behaviour of an increasing number of todays kids who are allowed to get away with just about anything. I dont miss the lack of support from slt & their two faced vindictive attitude that to increase productivity you have to wave a big stick over people. When a school is losing a third of its staff every year year in year out there is something badly wrong but its strange that its never the managements fault!
Im now semi retired & love it, plenty to do & i can afford to pick & choose the jobs i want to do.
Im now semi retired & love it, plenty to do & i can afford to pick & choose the jobs i want to do.
SammyQ
Established Member
Do you mean SMT? Senior Management Team? Or, do they call it Leadership Team where you were? Couldn't agree more. We had a new head; he effectively sacked the Housemasters and sitting V.P.'s, then promoted his cronies and created an under-30 'dream team' as year heads. He was put on 'gardening leave' a few short years later, and his accolytes departed shortly after he did, but the damage was done.
WfH was great to begin with, but after a while you just lose track of time and it feels a bit like Groundhog Day. I'm looking forward to working in the office maybe 1 or 2 days a week and seeing old friends again.
It's not going to be fun for new joiners and graduates coming into companies without meeting any of their colleagues to get to know them better.
On the plus side, I've had so much extra time to do my own projects, and a new hobby of mine recently has been woodworking (I will probably post a tool haul soon, as I have some questions for members here; there are one or two interesting items that might interest the folks here).
It's not going to be fun for new joiners and graduates coming into companies without meeting any of their colleagues to get to know them better.
On the plus side, I've had so much extra time to do my own projects, and a new hobby of mine recently has been woodworking (I will probably post a tool haul soon, as I have some questions for members here; there are one or two interesting items that might interest the folks here).
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiit... In Bromley North???? Next to Wharton Road?
Run by Chris and Siobhan?
If you have been drinking in there for (10+) years there's a good chance we met/shared a space/you avoided me.
At least you have probably seen a few people who I know well who all still live in Wharton Road. God I loved living there!
Been a while mind. Years really but it was my old local!
I won't share any details unless you get back to me.
That's 2 old locals I have found I shared with UKW members. I lived at 3 Wharton Road. 3 doors from Red Lion. The Shortlands was another.... No where near the same class of Pub in those days but 3 doors from the new flat and no Shortlands Hill to climb.
A universal truth of life is to always try to live within a brief walk of a good pub.
As for offices. I never missed cleaning the windows in Lockdown tbh.
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