I've got a new job!

18 Comments

1. AnonymousMay 11,2022 at 3:04PM UTC

   Congratulations on the new job! Hopefully it will be refreshing for you to get out and enjoy the social aspect of being in the office. I have worked in both settings and really like the hybrid approach if I can get it.

2. Sabrina CortesMay 11,2022 at 4:14PM UTC

   That's awesome about your new job, congrats!! The posts below have some great insights and tips. Best of luck to you!

3. Joanne RosenMay 11,2022 at 4:46PM UTC

   Hybrid childcare. Pretty tough to find. You generally pay by the week/month.

   Why is it even necessary for you to go in? What do they see as the benefit?

   I still say the government needs to create "carbon tax credits" for companies that stay remote. All those commuters are off the roads. It makes a huge difference.

4. AnonymousMay 13,2022 at 11:11AM UTC

   My advice is to frame it as an adventure and also to give yourself grace if there are moments of frustration (traffic jams, etc) and to find something new and happy for yourself during the commute (e.g. a new podcast, phone calls to friends etc) and drive. Congratulations!

5. AnonymousMay 13,2022 at 12:03PM UTC

   I loved being home too. I worked from home for the first year and half of the pandemic. Unfortunately, it was not permanent. Otherwise I’d still be doing this. Honestly, I’m trying to get back to wfh.

   I’ve worked in two different offices since going back last Sept and I can honestly say you will freak out . You might not. I know! Stop! I’m sure that’s not what you want to hear. I just want you to be prepared. Freaking out is okay, normal and expected. Just give yourself a break.

   There are some perks to working in person: home becomes your home, you can focus on work, it’s good to be around people even if it’s weird at first.

6. AnonymousMay 13,2022 at 12:39PM UTC

   Congrats! I enjoyed working from home, but have really enjoyed the transition to going back to the office. Leaving the house every day somehow increased my productivity and my family was getting too lazy with me doing too much at home anyway lol. The new job is great, so that really helps. I hope it is a good transition for you!

7. AnonymousMay 13,2022 at 12:47PM UTC

   Congratulations on your new job! If you really want to work from home again, you could always ask if they'd consider it or you could turn it down and find a remote job makes you happy. If you are looking forward to this job and really want to go back to an office environment it has its benefits too. It's easier to separate work life from home life, the commute time is great for unwinding after a busy day, and interactions with colleagues are a plus. Life is too short to settle for anything less than what makes you happy. Best of luck to you.

8. AnonymousMay 13,2022 at 1:03PM UTC

   Congrats on the new job. I made the same transition after working remotely for 4 years and I have enjoyed the transition. I was getting bored at home and not as productive as I was when I initially started at home. Yes I was able to throw laundry in but I was finding I was doing all of the laundry and cooking meals during my work day.

   It was an adjustment but I feel like I was part of the hustle and bustle again, meeting people and making moves. When I started, we were 100% in office but fortunately we moved to hybrid so that gives me the flexibility I like, but I would have been ok either way.

   I have enjoyed getting dressed up again and my dry cleaners has enjoyed it too, lol.

   Overall, going back into the office has helped me quite a bit. I feel happier, more engaged, and part of a team again. I am able to separate work from home, which gives me balance and peace. I know it is not for everyone but it works for me.

   Enjoy your new role.

9. AnonymousMay 13,2022 at 1:07PM UTC

   I would say that you'll need to get organized, as I'm sure you've gotten used to completing home tasks "while" working. And time spent commuting (1-2.5 hours/day with traffic) will also be an adjustment. Plan to make phone calls, etc during your commute. Or listen to Podcasts during that time, .Find time for exercise (easier to do when working from home). Get an updated haircut, and get the oil changed on your car. Good luck!

10. BeaBoss979975May 14,2022 at 1:34AM UTC

    Do NOT make phone calls during the commute.
    You need to DRIVE while you are driving for your safety and everyone else's safety.

11. AnonymousMay 15,2022 at 6:10PM UTC

    you can have hands free, which is what was likely suggested. lots and LOTS of folks complete calls hands-free while sitting in traffic, etc.

12. AnonymousMay 13,2022 at 1:08PM UTC

    After having done both, I actually kinda prefer being back in an office (this time around, first job change I did mid-pandemic was also in an office but that was not the right job for me). But it helps that my current employer allows some flexibility plus there is some travel (I know not everyone likes that but I look forward to the break). My best advice is to go into with an open mind and understand that this is going to take a bit of getting used to.

13. Focused721350May 13,2022 at 1:53PM UTC

    Good Morning,

    Don't we all! Be grateful you got a job to go too and change clothes when you get home..... Simple! This World has been a mess and it's over due to get back on track.....

    Enjoy! Going back to work just like anyone else.

    Good Luck and God Bless, Ms. T ;)

14. Alida MartellMay 13,2022 at 3:31PM UTC

    I worked in a company for 15 years, I moved to Dallas a month ago and since then I have been looking for a job, I have not found anything, but I would like to work in an office and not at home. You're lucky you have a job and they let you dress casual.

15. Carolyn HipkinsMay 13,2022 at 4:00PM UTC

    Congratulations! I don't know if you take public transportation but if you do it will be a shock after 26 months. Have some music, an audiobook, or some soothing sounds on your phone that you can listen to. Also, make a list of things you need to take to the office. Review the public transit schedule so you can plan your commute.

16. Bradford McCormickMay 13,2022 at 5:44PM UTC

    No. My last job, 2 years before Covid, they sent us all home to save money on office space. I worked with a team in Canada and then Israel. I voluntarily got up about 2:45 each morning my time, fed my cats and got to work. I loved it. When I commuted to office, each time I strapped on my seatbelt I envied World War II Japanese kamikaze pilots who only had to make their commute once. Banzai! -- But! I didn't have kids screaming DADDY! DADDY! DADDY! at me all day and I really could turn off my computer at maybe 1 or 2 PM my time and that was it for the day: no 24/7. The very best day of the week was Saturday, when both the people in Israel and here in USA were off for the weekend. I had computer work on a huge project where if other people were changing stuff I had "conflicts". Oh, no! But no problem on Saturday when everybody else was off for the day on both sides of the Atlantic ocean. I did miss in the office when the vending machine restock guy came and discarded out of date snack packs he did not object to me taking them out of the trash can: WFH I missed free expired Doritos!

17. Sarah StadtherrMay 13,2022 at 7:01PM UTC

    In my case I drove to the new office during commute time so I could get a true feeling of timing. I did it more than once and felt I had a good grip on how long it would take door to door in the AM. That allowed me to set the specific time I knew I needed to be pulling out of the garage to arrive a tad early.

    Next, about a week before, I started setting my alarm to get me up at the necessary time to get out the door by x o'clock.

    Make lists, plan lunches to go, pick clothes and have things in your tote bag ready to grab and go. I hang my keys on the fridge if I need something there.

    It may also be necessary to work with your partner to line out morning tasks, kid duties, bathroom times. In my case, I told hubby he needed to be out of my way and in his car by x time.

    Hope that helps.

18. Stephanie BillerMay 15,2022 at 3:11PM UTC

    Same here! I haven’t worked in an office since 2006! Now suddenly I’m going to have a public transportation commute and it’s not casual. I’ve determined I can’t walk in anything but sneakers. I haven't had to buy real clothes in an age and I am now really realizing how displeased I am with the Covid-19+ around the waistline.

    Real live in person human interaction, though? People with a wider lexicon than Leo the Golden Retriever? That has to count for something! Wishing you the best of luck, Linda! It’ll take a sliver of that luck, too. We’ve got this!