Going back to the office

[Mrs.flang]

I just want to talk this out to see what is reasonable.

For the whole time we've been WFH, my company has praised everyone at how seamless it was and how well we did.  Starting June 1, we moved to another floor in the same building (planned pre-pandemic), and they sort of used that date to tell people they could come in and un-pack and work from the new space using distancing and masks.  The whole company is around 60 people, and from what I can tell there are around 30-35 people that have been going in nearly every day since then.  It's mostly partners (who never really stopped going into the office the whole time), and lower level and admin people that I assume feel like they have to show face or were told explicitly they need to be there.  The message to the mid-level professional group that I consider myself a part of was pretty vague.

Now they're saying they want us in the office to resume some kind of "normalcy".  I have my own office so I can isolate and masks are required everywhere else.  My kids started back at daycare so that is not an issue anymore, it just feels very sudden and extreme to go back to every day in the office and I worry about complacency and the added exposure (even though it's probably less risky than daycare?)  I also don't think it's technically allowed according to our governors phases which says if you can WFH, you should, but I don't really want to ruffle feathers there.

I feel like a valued employee that shouldn't have to "show face" but Idk if I should push back on this?  Assert that I will only go in 2 days a week? 3 days?  Or just take comfort in the precautions and roll with it?  WWYD?

note - I'm in NJ so on a downward trend here but things are just starting to reopen.

[noodleoo]

Ugh, that sucks. How receptive do you think your manager will be to asking to WFH 2-3 days a week (or more)? If you had an open floor plan, I'd push back pretty hard about not being in the office as studies have shown transmission. Since you have your own office, I'd be less concerned but I still would not want to be in the office 40 hours a week if it really isn't necessary.

Does the building have any occupancy limits? I'm in MA and our company is trying to stay somewhere between 25-50% occupancy for safety. They are taking it really seriously and sent out an email today basically recommending WFH for at least another month to reduce exposure for those that have to be on site. My manager has also made it pretty clear he's ok with WFH as he prefers that as well.

[jene]

I would push back. If the gov directive says that you should be working from home, and you can do so effectively, then why is it necessary to go in?

[simpsongal]

I would gently pushback/raise concern - I suspect the people not coming in feel similarly to how you're feeling. If management is making a call though, there's probably not much you can do. But if enough people voice some concern, or at least question if coming back is mandatory, maybe that collective voice will get through to upper management and make them reconsider.

[ny96]

I’d push back a bit, but if you have your own office you may want to spend time there to save face.

My office never closed because we are an essential business, but most of us are working from home at least part of the time. Since April I’ve been going in 3-4 days a week for a couple hours each day to take care of paperwork and meet with clients. We are temperature checked when we enter and are required to be masked at all times when in public spaces and around coworkers. I share an office with someone so I’ve realized that I have a hard time working in a mask so for now I’ll come in when she’s not there. My situation is a bit different because they have truly left the decision up to us whether we want to come in, but I got a promotion shortly before this whole thing hit and I now manage a team that is mostly in the office. Honestly, I would probably be there more if I had childcare.

[patches31709]

I would push back also. I'm in NY. We're currently WAH through at least Labor Day, but they are starting to talk about going back to the office and I definitely plan on asking to continue to WAH. We're in a large building, and from what I've seen, recirculated air and prolonged exposure really help spread the virus. We also have an open concept layout, although we have assigned desks (because it turns out open concept wasn't the great idea they thought it would be). The desks are close together. When this all started, they broke everyone into 2 groups and told Group A to WAH for 2 weeks while Group B was in the office, then they were to switch. Except no thought was given (and it would be HARD) to ensure that the people in the office weren't all sitting right on top of each other.

All that said, if you have been working effectively at home, and it is still recommended in NJ, I would push for it.

[joy]

So, your job has no plan for return or a group willing to hear from its employees with their concerns for returning?

I would suggest they need to make one. I can’t believe that you are the only one with concerns.

To contrast, I am in Philly and our return to work began three weeks ago. We have temp checks, questionaires, one way walking floor plans, mask requirements, assigned seating far from each other, 30% capacity daily and several days a week meetings to hear and address employee concerns.

I’m not saying you need your job to go whole hog like us, but something more than “come on back now, y’hear?” is appropriate.

[sdlaura]

I work for a 200-person firm. All of my firm’s offices (6 in the US) are starting a phased reopening starting on July 6th. I think they’re handling it really well. They note that everything has been pretty seamless from home, but made a case that collaboration is important, and I agree.

The first phase will be up to 25% of employees and is completely voluntary. They’re encouraging anyone with a preexisting condition or other particular covid risk factor, or who lives with anyone who has one not to come back in this phase. Anyone who has traveled on any kinds of group transportation, stayed in a hotel, etc can’t come in for 14 days after. Every morning we’ll answer a digital questionnaire on health, masks must be worn in common areas, no shared snacks, hallways are one way, conference rooms have a posted number of people allowed, etc. I’m on maternity leave now but feel comfortable going back at some point because of how it’s been handled.

I would also be concerned about how your firm is handling the details, though not necessarily that they are starting to plan for people to return physically at some point.

[sandandsea]

I would request to continue WFH as long as you feel you are productive and capable of WFH. It’s less risky to everyone and limits everyone’s exposure. Assuming you have 2 kids in DC, each with 10 kids in their class, you would be exposing your coworkers to 20 families bubbles and exposing those 20 families to the 30 bubbles of your coworkers. It seems better for everyone for you to WFH if possible.

We have a few people back in the office or those that never left, but the firm is still saying WFH if possible.

[goldengirlz]

So much for companies embracing work from home as a new normal 🙄

OP, I think you need to decide what your comfort level is, and then have a conversation with your manager. I think it’s reasonable to try returning for a couple of days/week to see how it goes. I also think it’s reasonable to ask for more time, if you need it.

I have a lot of friends and family in NY and NJ and I don’t know of anyone going back yet. The earliest I’ve heard is “sometime after Labor Day,” and as far out as January 2021. So I don’t think you’d be alone in your concerns, but if you’re ready to go back, that’s okay too.

[vmars]

I have heard Murphy specifically state that if you can work form home your employer is required to let you do that. I think there are still indoor capacity limits.

I am in NJ too but I am apart of a union. I am still allowed to work from home 100% of the time, but certain people without remote access need to come in a couple hours per week.

I would absolutely push back.

[hbomdiggity]

I have similar feelings.

My company never shut down offices but allowed WFH. It was generally a success/seamless transition and the CEO has reiterated that we should continue to work from home if we are able.

But then my local office issued a repopulation plan. Because I technically work for a different office my role is not listed, but the head of the local office asked me point blank when I was coming back. I have my own office and I am not overly concerned about transmission, but I still feel that it seems rushed and unnecessary as I am completely capable of doing my job remotely.

My manager told me to do whatever I am comfortable with, including WFH, which he is still doing. But I also know the leaders at local office despise WFH. I am going to propose 2 days/week for a few weeks before I take off for a two week vacation.

[waverly]

We are open to the public so everyone is back. However we are still allowing for full time staff to work from home one day a week.

So I would say you can definitely ask to work from home more than 1 day a week considering that you all don’t have to be there like we do since you are not public facing.

I would start with do you want to go in at all and if so how many days a week.