Working more during WFH?

28 Comments

1. Jassmine RileyMarch 23,2020 at 8:07PM UTC

   Most companies were not implementing WFH opportunities before the crisis hit. Their employees are having to adjust to working on one screen, large cancellations, panic regarding job security, etc... They are also dealing with children being at home and/or anxiety from staying inside. So, all of those are factors in why the hours have increased. I think once people settle into this new way of working/life and everyone get on a schedule they will return to normal working hours.

2. AnonymousMarch 23,2020 at 9:38PM UTC

   Soooo true and good point about the 2 monitors thing, I didn't even realize how much that can slow things down!

3. Jassmine RileyMarch 25,2020 at 9:34PM UTC

   Yes, that's a huge factor for me.

4. AnonymousMarch 23,2020 at 9:47PM UTC

   I've been WFH for quite some time, and have found working at night (for the next day's deadline) gives me more time to think/write/stay on message without the deadline pressure. As long as it's in someone's inbox in the AM, I haven't heard anyone complain.

5. Katelyn StruckmeyerMarch 23,2020 at 8:08PM UTC

   Since I've been laid off from B2b sales. I've found myself online more looking for work. I've talked with some who are still working that work online and they have said they have kept their hours strict. The key right now is to be disciplined in self growth and always seeking greater opportunities.

6. AnonymousMarch 23,2020 at 9:39PM UTC

   I'm so sorry to hear that :( There are definitely people still hiring and I hope you find something soon!

7. AnonymousMarch 23,2020 at 8:40PM UTC

   Yes. I've been working remotely for three years now. When I worked in an office, the commute was always the most stressful part of my day. I would arrive or get home already stressed out and anxious. It was awful. My profession is also pretty stressful, so I was a bit of a wreck. My social life became non-existent. Now that I don't have the stress of the commute, I work longer. Unfortunately, because of the stress of my work, I have become a bit of a recluse still, so I'm really not affected by this "new way of life."

8. Katie MaloneMarch 23,2020 at 8:40PM UTC

   YES! Working from home means working all the time, doesn't it!? ;-) I work in social media and part of my job is crisis communications, but I would say I worked 60+ hours last week.

9. AnonymousMarch 23,2020 at 9:40PM UTC

   Oh gosh, that's crazy! As things start to calm down (or rather, if?) take a personal day if you can because you definitely deserve it!

10. Gigi DevanneyMarch 23,2020 at 9:04PM UTC

    I've worked remotely since 2005. I started a new job that is flexible, but with a couple of days a week in the office. I was so excited to "go" to work... and now, thanks to COVID, I'm back in my yoga pants! :)

    But for you new wfh professionals... I have two words of advice - boundaries and routines!

    Boundaries are important!!
    If possible, set up your wfh office in a room that you don't walk past when you are not working... a spare room where you can close the door or a basement or attic away from your primary living space.

    Start your day with a sustainable routine. Shower, dress, makeup, coffee.... take a lunch break. at least 20 min away from your screen.... and set your target quitting time. and do NOT sit back down at your desk at 9pm.

    I'm in marketing/communications, so this has been a crisis period of work... long days and I'm breaking some of my own rules... but I'll get back to it shortly.

11. AnonymousMarch 23,2020 at 9:41PM UTC

    Yes I feel the same way, but sticking with a routine is so important. I'm thinking about setting alarms on my phone just to make me stop working.

12. Katie MaloneMarch 24,2020 at 12:30AM UTC

    Yes. For those of us in communications, this crisis makes work even more stressful... even at home.

13. Erin Howard-ReidMarch 23,2020 at 9:07PM UTC

    I don't think I work more hours, but my quality of work is much higher.

    I recently quit a position that discontinued work from home. Since I do best when I work by my own schedule, I didn't feel right providing less quality to the people who mattered most. I'm terrible at the office and half-ass things when I'm car sick from traffic, dealing annoying co-workers/loud eaters and paying an arm and leg for parking.

    Now the entire department is working from home. They lost an incredible employee due to their own stupidity, and they're working from home just fine :)

14. AnonymousMarch 23,2020 at 9:41PM UTC

    Hahaha, I believe that's called karma ;)

15. obeMarch 24,2020 at 5:32PM UTC

    Asked to not work o/t unless ‘authorized’ to do so. Following my usual standards as though I’m at the office. Must confess it felt a lot more tiring yesterday than a typical workday and I’m hoping the comfort level will increase with each passing day. Stay well and focused on better days ahead everyone.

16. Deena SegalMarch 24,2020 at 7:10PM UTC

    I worked from home two days each week.i usually kept the same hours

17. Robyn WickMarch 24,2020 at 8:07PM UTC

    I found that I was working a lot more during the first week, but mostly due to transitioning everyone else home and transitioning our classes online. (I'm at a university.) Now that we and our students have adjusted a bit more to our new normal, I'm able to set better boundaries and turn off the work computer at night. I shut off the office light and leave the room. :)

18. Jackie GhedineMarch 25,2020 at 12:15PM UTC

    I'm a career coach and many of my clients are struggling with working from home because they aren't creating the right boundaries. What's interesting is WHY they are working more hours. Here's what we're discovering...

    Many people are feeling like they have to prove their value and that they are efficient from home so they work longer hours (virtual Facetime). If this is the case, be confident in what you do and your productivity.

    Many people aren't comfortable with setting up boundaries. If this is the case, recognize that boundaries are for your protection and well-being. Setting boundaries isn't about saying no to something or someone but saying yes to yourself.

    Discover why you are working the way you are and what is the root cause of it. Working MORE from home isn't the answer for anyone's well-being (mental and physical) especially during these times.

19. AnonymousMarch 25,2020 at 8:49PM UTC

    I think I'm working fewer hours, which means sticking with 8:30-5:30 schedule. My partner also WFH due to COVID-19 and he closes his laptop even before his work hour ends. I can't focus long in this environment.

20. Vivi-LouMarch 25,2020 at 10:35PM UTC

    Due to the virus, all customer-projects have been put on hold and I am doing internal projects now. With this I have more flexibility in addition to the WFH. Previously I had one day at home per week and it was pretty much the same as in the office. However now I can do whatever I want as long as I keep my appointments and be available during the normal hours for basic questions from colleagues. Due to this freedom I can now finally work according to my inner clock and I feel SO much more relaxed and productive. As I am not very efficient between 12:00 to around 16:00 this is really hard to deal with when I have to attend the office during regular hours.

21. Sue DeRosierMarch 30,2020 at 8:16PM UTC

    I have done the 1x per week WFH for a few years and had a 15-month assignment that was 100% WFH, but this COVID-19 situation increased my workload substantially. I support the communication efforts of a cyber department for a major utility. Most employees either never WFH or only occasionally, now we have close to 30,000 devices connecting remotely during a time when hackers are at their most active. The issue I feel with WFH is that we forget to get up, stretch, take a break. In the office, people are always stopping by or I get up more to get coffee, go to the bathroom, etc. I find now that I have to remind myself to get up and stretch, otherwise I am so stiff by the end of the day.

22. AnonymousMarch 30,2020 at 9:00PM UTC

    Yes! I think I'm going to start setting reminders on my phone to take short breaks & do some stretches because I've been noticing the same thing

23. Oksana HorbachMarch 31,2020 at 2:14PM UTC

    I find that if I don't watch my time that I will very easily work longer than usual when I work from home. I try to maintain a schedule and track my time (when I started, when I finish) each day to ensure that I'm keeping my working hours to a reasonable amount.

24. Linda Grace SolisMarch 31,2020 at 2:28PM UTC

    I worked a lot more during the first week at home as I was trying to move my classes online. Once I got done with that, I made it a point to go back to my normal working hours. Just like when I go to work, I may stay late a couple evenings a week, but beyond that, no. Work starts at 7:45 and ends at 4:45. I take a 30 minute lunch break because if I don't, my eyes feel like they're going to pop out of my head. When I log out, I'm done for the day.

    Like someone up-thread said, we have to set boundaries around working from home!

25. AnonymousMarch 31,2020 at 2:30PM UTC

    Yes! Otherwise we'll all be working all day long XD

26. AnonymousMarch 31,2020 at 3:11PM UTC

    I am very guilty of this. For myself, I found it is important to set boundaries and I try my best to enforce "business hours."

27. AnonymousMarch 31,2020 at 3:12PM UTC

    I saw on my calendar (Google Calendar) you can set working hours, that might help!

28. Miranda WilcoxMarch 31,2020 at 7:27PM UTC

    I'm keeping my hours strict. My family members often want my attention and if I didn't have clear boundaries, they would probably get it!