Hybrid versus 100% remote working

[TheGreenBastard]

I've made some excellent friends while contracting. They have since helped me get other contracts.

Nice anecdote, I can provide a alternative data point - the point still stands; multiple people have expressed their need for touchy feeling human touch, I'd definitely argue if your personal life doesn't facilitate that then it would be high time to fix it (and far more important than any "work" related crap). What I personally don't like about this is how it's always those seeking "human connection" that nominate others to the office, just to be seen.

[ladymuck]

Nice anecdote, I can provide a alternative data point - the point still stands; multiple people have expressed their need for touchy feeling human touch, I'd definitely argue if your personal life doesn't facilitate that then it would be high time to fix it (and far more important than any "work" related crap). What I personally don't like about this is how it's always those seeking "human connection" that nominate others to the office, just to be seen.

There are people for whom work is life and who they work with is very important to them as it therefore affects their life. Not sure it's a permie-esque thing or just sad.

[Snooky]

I've made some excellent friends while contracting. They have since helped me get other contracts.

Me too. It's hardly surprising when you spend the main part of your waking day with the same people, 5 days a week for however many months or years.

[gables]

Nice anecdote, I can provide a alternative data point - the point still stands; multiple people have expressed their need for touchy feeling human touch, I'd definitely argue if your personal life doesn't facilitate that then it would be high time to fix it (and far more important than any "work" related crap). What I personally don't like about this is how it's always those seeking "human connection" that nominate others to the office, just to be seen.

Agreed. It seems every time this is discussed\reported on that we're TOLD it's good for our mental health to go to the office, justified by being told we're social animals. It may true for some that the office provides them their (only) socialising, doesn't mean it's true for all of us.

[northernladuk]

Agreed. It seems every time this is discussed\reported on that we're TOLD it's good for our mental health to go to the office, justified by being told we're social animals. It may true for some that the office provides them their (only) socialising, doesn't mean it's true for all of us.

But if you are told based on endless research in to the human psyche which says humans are social animals and thrive best in a community then it's going to be broadly true as you say and those that don't like it are likely to be the exceptions. So you are TOLD it's good for your mental health because as a species it's true. What's different is the odd unsocial person and details like the type of work/location etc. If we are going to talk about companies telling the population (generally) as a whole it's hybrid working we've got to consider the broad spectrum of people, not what you as an exception think. You are obviously welcome to your opinion of course.

Greenbastard doesn't like it. That's his perogative but what he always misses when he's arguing about his own opinion is that he's in the minority, there is a general truth and it's a wide ranging policy that doesn't affect just him. You can admit you don't like it but can also admit its true for most.

[PerfectStorm]

But if you are told based on endless research in to the human psyche which says humans are social animals and thrive best in a community

With one caveat - it has to be with people you actually like.

Not people who you are literally compensated for having to spend time with.

I know where I was sat when I was miserable and working - today's contractor has the best of all worlds - working 100% at home and choosing who they want to spend their time with, rather than having petty people and dirty looks thrust upon them.

[gixxer2021]

Agreed. It seems every time this is discussed\reported on that we're TOLD it's good for our mental health to go to the office, justified by being told we're social animals. It may true for some that the office provides them their (only) socialising, doesn't mean it's true for all of us.

I think a lot of it comes down to personality, whether you’re introvert or extrovert. I’m introvert and far prefer 100% wfh, most of my “extrovert” colleagues/friends love hybrid. I’ve also made some good friends and contacts while working 100% remote, so it’s not an either/or situation. Ironically I’ve gone on to socialise sometimes with them, but only outside of work

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article...king-from-home

[gables]

But if you are told based on endless research in to the human psyche which says humans are social animals and thrive best in a community then it's going to be broadly true as you say and those that don't like it are likely to be the exceptions. So you are TOLD it's good for your mental health because as a species it's true. What's different is the odd unsocial person and details like the type of work/location etc. If we are going to talk about companies telling the population (generally) as a whole it's hybrid working we've got to consider the broad spectrum of people, not what you as an exception think. You are obviously welcome to your opinion of course.

Maybe there's a nuance I didn't articulate very well.... I agree that most of us are social animals and human contact is good for mental health, I'm in that category. What comes across to me in these reports\directives is the conflation of this with going to the office i.e. "go to the office because it's good for your mental health, has to be because we're social animals right?" - well no, my mental health is just fine without going to the office.

I'm not outright anti-office I'd just prefer if there is a requirement to go to the office then it is for work reasons not my mental health.

[northernladuk]

Maybe there's a nuance I didn't articulate very well.... I agree that most of us are social animals and human contact is good for mental health, I'm in that category. What comes across to me in these reports\directives is the conflation of this with going to the office i.e. "go to the office because it's good for your mental health, has to be because we're social animals right?" - well no, my mental health is just fine without going to the office.

I'm not outright anti-office I'd just prefer if there is a requirement to go to the office then it is for work reasons not my mental health.

I get you but you talk about YOUR mental health. Companies simply cannot make policy on what one person likes. Some people like going in, some people don't. Hybrid is best of both and for most is still infinitely better than three years ago where it was (mostly) 5 days on site. Maybe I'm old but this new hybrid is still a benefit to me after 30 (cough) years of working in a office. 100% home working as a blanket all company policy will never happen in my career so I just take what we've got as a benefit and enjoy it.

But yeah, if we are just discussing out own personal opinions then I can fully understand how you would prefer it over going in. I did it when I was single in my 30's and absolutely hated it and even now I'm settled I'm quite happy to go see people for right or wrong reasons.

[northernladuk]

With one caveat - it has to be with people you actually like.

There has got to be someone you like in the team surely? If there isn't maybe it's not the team that's the problem. Also you'll meet another team on the next gig, and the one after. You get bad gigs for one reason or another but they great thing about contracting is it is short term and you move on. Again, if you don't like anyone on any of your clients I think the problem is closer to home.

I know where I was sat when I was miserable and working - today's contractor has the best of all worlds - working 100% at home and choosing who they want to spend their time with, rather than having petty people and dirty looks thrust upon them.

But 100% WFH is not best of all worlds to a social species. YOU have the best but it isn't for many.