Covid facetime?

Question

This may seem a little strange to be thinking about, but while my company in the tech industry has been very flexible and not asked anyone to return to the office for the rest of the year (and my guess is not next year either) -- they did allow people back starting after Labor Day. Lately, it seems more and more people are going in to work from the office occasionally. I hear about this mentioned during meetings and sometimes I wonder if I should go back to. I don't really want to, not out of fear of Covid but because I'm worried I might be missing out on something. Maybe it's in my head -- I genuinely don't think my manager cares but I do worry about missing out on some things, cross-department and maybe even my manager's boss. Has anyone gone back to work when they didn't have to for this reason?

Krista Skalde · Answer

It's a difficult one in these crazy times.  I would definitely not feel any pressure and perhaps suggest an open conversation with your boss on his/her thoughts.

Krista Coutts · Answer

Sounds like your company is flexible with the WFH and in-office policy.  If you really have concerns, have a conversation with your direct manager and ask what she thinks.  She might be able to shed light on why others are back in the office.

Amy Pasquale · Answer

This is such an excellent question and points to some systemic problem that unfortunately your org isn't paying attention to.  I would encourage you to raise this with your manager -- help them become aware of how this more laissez faire approach to working in the office could have some unintended consequences i.e., people feeling like they need to 'put in some face time' to make sure they aren't out of the loop.  This is particularly important, if the company doesn't have excellent communication tools, processes, and methods in place -- as what could end up happening is that indeed those working remotely are out of the loop and don't even know it until a problem crops up.  I offer this 'systems view' to support you in helping your org be more thoughtful and strategic generally.  Hope this is useful.

M Elizabeth Ingram · Answer

You have to do what is best for you.  You can ask your manager if they'd prefer you pop into the office occasionally.  I go in about 1x a month (which is what our whole office has been asked to do), but I try to schedule it when no one else is there (we have a shared calendar that shows who is going to be in the office & when) and keep my mask on, disinfect common surfaces and wash my hands a lot.

Anonymous · Answer

You should do what is best for your situation.  I am still working at home 100% of the time and still enjoying it.  I had been working at home for about 15yrs and then had to work in the office for several years prior to Covid.   This included a hr+ commute on a toll road (I don't miss sitting in traffic).   As someone mentioned above if others are in the office you there will always be the side conversations  but I was distracted in the office and seldom had the same level of productivity.  If you are concerned, maybe consider going in a few days a week to see what the environment is about.    I also schedule time to chit-chat with co-workers via zoom, so if there is someone you are close to at work maybe do something similar.

Emily K · Answer

Do what you feel is best for your health, including mental health and the health of your family. COVID is still a very real thing and depending on where you are in the country things could be more or less safe.

Rebecca Kaufman · Answer

You always have to do what is right for you! Everyone's story is different and their level of comfort. Health is always most important.

Anonymous · Answer

I worked in an office and then switched to working 80% remotely (pre-COVID times), and in my experience, there are impromptu conversations that happen when people are in person that you miss out on by being remote. As the saying goes, 'out of sight, out of mind.' There are also  in-person body language cues that are hard to grasp when you're only online. Like others have commented, maybe you could try going in for just a day to get a sense of the vibe, or even start going in for partial days when you have important meetings or when you know a lot of others will be in too.

Lindsay Appesland · Answer

There are only a few people coming into our office right now... I go in maybe once a week but, it's really for a change of scenery, or to meet with a vendor...  I barely (if ever) see the other 3-5 employees that are working in the office when I'm there...

Maybe find out how many people are going in, & what the safety protocols are.  Then you could make an informed decision to go in once in a while, or maybe for 1/2 a day as you felt you wanted.

We have everyone who wants to go to the office complete a 45 minute COVID safety training, have assigned days they are approved to be in the office, and then daily health screenings upon arrival.  They must also clean surfaces they touch, and they are asked to sanitize their desk area 2x/day.

Hope that helps but, as Patricia mentioned, go in when YOU feel safe and comfortable.  Don't rush it if you don't have to.

Patricia Ayuso · Answer

Hi! It didn't happened to me but to my husband in a similar way. I'm going to tell you is what I told him... Go to your office when you feel that is right and not because the pressure. You aren't going to feel comfortable otherwise and your performance may decrease, which could impact you more than been part of the 'club'. 
If you still have doubts, go one day and see how's the office environment.

Covid facetime?

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