Reply to: State of the Market

[willendure]

It depends on the individual.
I'm autistic, and find trying to do coding in an open-plan office is nigh-on impossible because I can't think when other people are talking.
In my last contract I spent half my time desk-hopping when I was in the office to try to get away from people talking.

Yup. I like a balance. Go to the office for meetings and figuring out what needs to be done and not going insane being on your own all the time. WFH to have some peace and quiet to get things done.

[GJABS]

I have always stressed that working in a office is key to productivity.for the company and for the individual.

Why would you want to sit at home when we could working in one of the best cities in the world?!

It depends on the individual.
I'm autistic, and find trying to do coding in an open-plan office is nigh-on impossible because I can't think when other people are talking.
In my last contract I spent half my time desk-hopping when I was in the office to try to get away from people talking.

[SchumiStars]

I remember interviewing during 2000. And I was literally walking around central London in a suit and brief case, getting offers from everywhere I went.

It was such an introduction to London that I never left 25yrs later.

The buzz you get walking through Waterloo, with everyone else, it makes you feel like something else.

And that is a key part, the enthusiasm, the motivation to want to work for your company and to help them and yourselves.

All of this has been lost post COVID and there is little wonder why companies are holding back on recruitment as everyone wants to get paid large for sitting at home doing nothing.

I have always stressed that working in a office is key to productivity.for the company and for the individual.

Why would you want to sit at home when we could working in one of the best cities in the world?!

[gables]

I worked in London in my mid 20s and had a ball. Funnily enough as I got older I coped with the commute a lot better (quite possibly linked with reduction in alcohol intake).

Yep back in the day (89-97) when I worked and lived in London it was fantastic going into the office. Worked and drank (lunchtime included, not every lunchtime I might add) with a tight team, we attended each other's weddings, actually enjoyed the commute on the tube. This was my first employment after graduating and tbh learnt a lot by being in the office, I doubt it's the best start for the youngsters wfh all the time. That's if they do, I know my lad and fiance go into the office a couple of times a week.

[oliverson]

I worked in London in my mid 20s and had a ball. Funnily enough as I got older I coped with the commute a lot better (quite possibly linked with reduction in alcohol intake).

Once had a Top Gear Special style race with a contractor friend to Gordons Wine Bar at Embankment after work. I was working next to the Tower of London and he was down Canary Wharf. My mode of transport was the tube system and his was the Clipper boat up the Thames. Loser buys the drinks.

Guess who won? Him, kind of.

When I arrived he was there waiting for his drink but green around the gills. Turns out the Thames was pretty rough that day. Lol.

[northernladuk]

I worked in London in my mid 20s and had a ball. Funnily enough as I got older I coped with the commute a lot better (quite possibly linked with reduction in alcohol intake).

A lot has change since your mid 20's. They have cars, phones, flushable toilets etc. Completely different place.

[SussexSeagull]

I look back at my 10 years in London finance, mostly on-site all week with fond memories, and the 30 or so years prior always on-site. Some adventures were had in all that time. However, I've not been in anybody's office now since February 2020 and whilst I do miss it slightly, my domestic situation renders it impossible. Better to have loved and lost, and all that. I think for younger folk learning their trade, learning about life, sat at home every day is a really bad idea, even if they think it isn't. Plenty of time to live like a hermit when you're older.

I worked in London in my mid 20s and had a ball. Funnily enough as I got older I coped with the commute a lot better (quite possibly linked with reduction in alcohol intake).

[SussexSeagull]

Sounds like it's not just the contract market https://www.theguardian.com/business...for-four-years

Among permanent roles, the fastest decline in vacancies was seen in the executive/professional and the IT and computing sectors."

The white collar recession continues.

[SussexSeagull]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8ew0jrjxz9o

I am in full agreement of people returning to the office in all honesty. I would love to be back in central London.

I suspect some of them are trying to get rid of staff without paying redundancy.

That said I would merrily commute to London five days a week if it meant being paid.

[TheDude]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8ew0jrjxz9o

I am in full agreement of people returning to the office in all honesty. I would love to be back in central London.

My last contract required 2 days a week in the office. I managed 1 day a week if they were lucky and no one complained.

[oliverson]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8ew0jrjxz9o

I am in full agreement of people returning to the office in all honesty. I would love to be back in central London.

I look back at my 10 years in London finance, mostly on-site all week with fond memories, and the 30 or so years prior always on-site. Some adventures were had in all that time. However, I've not been in anybody's office now since February 2020 and whilst I do miss it slightly, my domestic situation renders it impossible. Better to have loved and lost, and all that. I think for younger folk learning their trade, learning about life, sat at home every day is a really bad idea, even if they think it isn't. Plenty of time to live like a hermit when you're older.

[Smartie]

Sounds like it's not just the contract market https://www.theguardian.com/business...for-four-years

"Vacancies for permanent jobs in the UK declined at their fastest pace for four years last month, according to a new survey that adds to the gloomy economic mood.

Amid febrile markets and weak economic data, the monthly jobs report from the consultancy KPMG and the recruitment firm REC shows many firms reluctant to hire.

The employer survey suggested vacancies for permanent roles had declined at the fastest pace since August 2020, when the UK was in the grip of the Covid pandemic. Temporary vacancies also fell in December.

The labour market was slowing for much of 2024. December was the 14th month in which the jobs report registered a decline in overall vacancies.

Among permanent roles, the fastest decline in vacancies was seen in the executive/professional and the IT and computing sectors."

[SchumiStars]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8ew0jrjxz9o

I am in full agreement of people returning to the office in all honesty. I would love to be back in central London.

[willendure]

Has to be £99/hour. £99/day is £12.50/hour. Thats what working at the checkout in Lidl pays outside of London.

[avonleigh]

That's £99 per hour not per day. DV clearance so it's kinda inline with usual rates.