Work from home? HR question (1 Viewer)

[TheFanatic]

Everywhere I have worked the last 10 years or so has had some sort of work from home option. The current job didn't get it till about a year ago and those in management in my department seem to be resistant to this policy but agree to it begrudgingly. Anywhere else I worked if I, say, had a WFH day weekly every Monday and for some reason I took PTO for that Monday, my WFH day would shift to another day of the week. I've done this so many times, I assumed it was SOP. Here, if you take PTO on your WFH day, you no longer get to WFH a day that week. Any HR people out there? Is this normal?

 

[Cjw_55106]

I dont think its an HR question per se....I mean it is, but it is specific to your HR. Whatever their policy is, it is. It doesn't matter what other companies do. 

I would imagine the answer will vary widely. 

 

[Murph]

Everywhere I have worked the last 10 years or so has had some sort of work from home option. The current job didn't get it till about a year ago and those in management in my department seem to be resistant to this policy but agree to it begrudgingly. Anywhere else I worked if I, say, had a WFH day weekly every Monday and for some reason I took PTO for that Monday, my WFH day would shift to another day of the week. I've done this so many times, I assumed it was SOP. Here, if you take PTO on your WFH day, you no longer get to WFH a day that week. Any HR people out there? Is this normal?

Most places I've worked this is the written policy. But in practice most managers haven't really cared.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Managers still think WFH is your good off day?

Dinosaurs.

 

[TheFanatic]

I dont think its an HR question per se....I mean it is, but it is specific to your HR. Whatever their policy is, it is. It doesn't matter what other companies do. 

I would imagine the answer will vary widely. 

This is what I'm guessing

 

[TheFanatic]

Managers still think WFH is your good off day?

Dinosaurs.

I always wonder about people who feel this way. 

 

[glvsav37]

Let me check my HR handbook......oh wait, I work for myself. So HR can kiss my ### 

 

[Gally]

Everywhere I have worked the last 10 years or so has had some sort of work from home option. The current job didn't get it till about a year ago and those in management in my department seem to be resistant to this policy but agree to it begrudgingly. Anywhere else I worked if I, say, had a WFH day weekly every Monday and for some reason I took PTO for that Monday, my WFH day would shift to another day of the week. I've done this so many times, I assumed it was SOP. Here, if you take PTO on your WFH day, you no longer get to WFH a day that week. Any HR people out there? Is this normal?

I would think some of this would depend on what your job is and if there were reasons you had to be in the office on other days of the week.  It could have to do with coverage in the office where someone else has a WFH day on Tuesday and you are in the office.  Now if you had a WFH day on a Tuesday you may not have proper coverage in the office for the work that needs to be done. 

This is a very company specific situation as to how it is handled.  There is no one size fits all answer. 

 

[Foosball God]

I currently WFH 4 out of 5 days a week.  Mrs. Foos has one WFH day and her CEO doesn't really even like that.  He thinks when people WFH they don't really work.  Which is the opposite of what I've found.  People tend to work longer when they WFH in my experience.  They are working earlier and later as they don't have a commute.

 

[Kanil]

My company if you take any PTO day the week before, your WFH day the next week is cancelled.

 

[tjnc09]

Everywhere I have worked the last 10 years or so has had some sort of work from home option. The current job didn't get it till about a year ago and those in management in my department seem to be resistant to this policy but agree to it begrudgingly. Anywhere else I worked if I, say, had a WFH day weekly every Monday and for some reason I took PTO for that Monday, my WFH day would shift to another day of the week. I've done this so many times, I assumed it was SOP. Here, if you take PTO on your WFH day, you no longer get to WFH a day that week. Any HR people out there? Is this normal?

That sounds like a terrible policy.  Find a new job.

 

[Angry Beavers]

Depends largely upon the company 

 

[NutterButter]

We have similar restrictions around our one wfh day, but most of the rules are just ignored.  At least I ignore them and no one has ever said anything. 

 

[NutterButter]

Managers still think WFH is your good off day?

Dinosaurs.

Tell me about it.  Every day is my goof off day.   I just do it once a week from my living room.

 

[TheFanatic]

Unless one of the HR managers from your own company is lurking on here, what do you reasonably expect to get out of this? 

Some idea as to whether this is SOP or what. 

 

[tjnc09]

Mrs. Foos has one WFH day and her CEO doesn't really even like that.  He thinks when people WFH they don't really work.  

That's hilarious coming from the CEO.  If they don't think a person is mature enough to get their work done at home, they shouldn't be working at that company.

 

[GOB]

I tried working from home but the sexual harrasment became unbearable.

 

[Pipes]

That sounds like a terrible policy.  Find a new job.

It really depends on the type of work you do and company you work for. Like another poster mentioned if a certain amount of office coverage is needed not sure what else the company is supposed to do.  Seems like a reasonable policy to me. 

 

[Birdie048]

Everywhere I have worked the last 10 years or so has had some sort of work from home option. The current job didn't get it till about a year ago and those in management in my department seem to be resistant to this policy but agree to it begrudgingly. Anywhere else I worked if I, say, had a WFH day weekly every Monday and for some reason I took PTO for that Monday, my WFH day would shift to another day of the week. I've done this so many times, I assumed it was SOP. Here, if you take PTO on your WFH day, you no longer get to WFH a day that week. Any HR people out there? Is this normal?

PTO & WFH are not related (at my work anyway).  Any vacation, excused or travel time away from my desk is not relevant to the time I WFH. 

I WFH every other Friday and occasionally Tuesday pending my "other schedule issues"  ........due to 6 am calls.  My site has a requirement for those who receive a "stipend/bonus" for medical/hazmat response be available on site 2.5 days a week.  I work hard to meet that minimum! 

 

[Pipes]

I currently WFH 4 out of 5 days a week.  Mrs. Foos has one WFH day and her CEO doesn't really even like that.  He thinks when people WFH they don't really work.  Which is the opposite of what I've found.  People tend to work longer when they WFH in my experience.  They are working earlier and later as they don't have a commute.

There are a lot more distractions though. Most everyone I know that works from home takes multiple breaks to mow the yard, drop off and or pick up kids from school, take the dog for a walk etc.  So while you may work longer I doubt it's more productive on a per hour basis.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

I tried working from home but the sexual harrasment became unbearable.

Dammit, I came in here to make a similar joke.  Too slow . . .

 

[Foosball God]

There are a lot more distractions though. Most everyone I know that works from home takes multiple breaks to mow the yard, drop off and or pick up kids from school, take the dog for a walk etc.  So while you may work longer I doubt it's more productive on a per hour basis.

Versus at work where I go get a coffee a few times and then chat with some other people, go out to lunch, etc.

 

[tjnc09]

It really depends on the type of work you do and company you work for. Like another poster mentioned if a certain amount of office coverage is needed not sure what else the company is supposed to do.  Seems like a reasonable policy to me. 

 reasonable if you want to be a miserable slave.  

 

[DallasDMac]

There are a lot more distractions though. Most everyone I know that works from home takes multiple breaks to mow the yard, drop off and or pick up kids from school, take the dog for a walk etc.  So while you may work longer I doubt it's more productive on a per hour basis.

Then you work with a bunch of slackers. Seriously. Tons of studies have shown most people accomplish WAY more at home than in the office. No distractions. No drive by conversations. Relative peace and quiet to accomlish your work. My entire office is full time WFH. We don't even have desk space at the office. So seriously, if what you say is true, that is on you and the folks you work with. It is far from the norm.

 

[Insein]

Everywhere I have worked the last 10 years or so has had some sort of work from home option. The current job didn't get it till about a year ago and those in management in my department seem to be resistant to this policy but agree to it begrudgingly. Anywhere else I worked if I, say, had a WFH day weekly every Monday and for some reason I took PTO for that Monday, my WFH day would shift to another day of the week. I've done this so many times, I assumed it was SOP. Here, if you take PTO on your WFH day, you no longer get to WFH a day that week. Any HR people out there? Is this normal?

It's between you and your boss really. Unless it's spelled out in company handbook or something, it's really just an agreement between you and your direct supervisor. 

 

[ragincajun]

Versus at work where I go get a coffee a few times and then chat with some other people, go out to lunch, etc.

Or a 2 hour poop session.

 

[Pipes]

 reasonable if you want to be a miserable slave.  

Making someone go to an office is hardly comparable to being a Slave.  Like I said it really depends on his line of work.  Certain industries/positions need office coverage.

i guess if people equate being forced to go into work to slavery I’m fortunate to work in a new building with a bar, workout room and other amenities.

 

[Pipes]

Then you work with a bunch of slackers. Seriously. Tons of studies have shown most people accomplish WAY more at home than in the office. No distractions. No drive by conversations. Relative peace and quiet to accomlish your work. My entire office is full time WFH. We don't even have desk space at the office. So seriously, if what you say is true, that is on you and the folks you work with. It is far from the norm.

I didn’t say coworkers just people I know that occasionally work from home.  They talk about being able to get a bunch of other stuff done along with work.  I still say it depends on the industry and what a persons role in the company is.

 

[tjnc09]

Making someone go to an office is hardly comparable to being a Slave.  Like I said it really depends on his line of work.  Certain industries/positions need office coverage.

i guess if people equate being forced to go into work to slavery I’m fortunate to work in a new building with a bar, workout room and other amenities.

Wait, you are complaining about people doing non-work things while WFH, but feel fortunate to work for a company that provides non-work things

 

[TheFanatic]

Then you work with a bunch of slackers. Seriously. Tons of studies have shown most people accomplish WAY more at home than in the office. No distractions. No drive by conversations. Relative peace and quiet to accomlish your work. My entire office is full time WFH. We don't even have desk space at the office. So seriously, if what you say is true, that is on you and the folks you work with. It is far from the norm.

This. So much this. 

 

[Insein]

There are a lot more distractions though. Most everyone I know that works from home takes multiple breaks to mow the yard, drop off and or pick up kids from school, take the dog for a walk etc.  So while you may work longer I doubt it's more productive on a per hour basis.

While people do those things, it's fit in between meetings where they have a lull in time. I work from home full time and I do a lot of those things but I'm available from about 6am till 6pm most days. When there's a major issue, I'll be online till as late as 2am sometimes talking to our team in India. I fit in taking the kids to school and mowing the lawn when I don't have a meeting to jump on call for. It's basically making more use of our time rather than those moments people sit at a desk and stare at their phone or browse Facebook until their next task comes up. In the mean time, I'm on call with work for more than half the day and check emails as late as 11pm most nights. I'm way more productive from home even with these home tasks mainly because I'm not wasting 2+ hours commuting during prime working hours. 

 

[TheFanatic]

PTO & WFH are not related (at my work anyway).  Any vacation, excused or travel time away from my desk is not relevant to the time I WFH. 

I WFH every other Friday and occasionally Tuesday pending my "other schedule issues"  ........due to 6 am calls.  My site has a requirement for those who receive a "stipend/bonus" for medical/hazmat response be available on site 2.5 days a week.  I work hard to meet that minimum! 

That's how I feel about it. Both are benefits bestowed upon us by the company. One should not negate the other. Imagine if I had a PTO day scheduled for Friday and I had to take a sick day on Tuesday and was told, "Sorry, you can't take Friday off, you were sick on Tuesday." In my mind, they are the exact same thing. Either they are benefits we get or they are not benefits. None of these, WFH, PTO, Sick time, should be subject to the whims of a manager. 

 

[TheFanatic]

OH, and I work in IT. I could work from anywhere with an internet connection. I rarely have face to face meetings with anyone. 

 

[Pipes]

While people do those things, it's fit in between meetings where they have a lull in time. I work from home full time and I do a lot of those things but I'm available from about 6am till 6pm most days. When there's a major issue, I'll be online till as late as 2am sometimes talking to our team in India. I fit in taking the kids to school and mowing the lawn when I don't have a meeting to jump on call for. It's basically making more use of our time rather than those moments people sit at a desk and stare at their phone or browse Facebook until their next task comes up. In the mean time, I'm on call with work for more than half the day and check emails as late as 11pm most nights. I'm way more productive from home even with these home tasks mainly because I'm not wasting 2+ hours commuting during prime working hours. 

I get it.  I have a 2 min commute and the longest anyone has in my office is a half hour on a bad day.  I couldn't fathom that long of a commute that sounds horrible.

 

[Pipes]

Wait, you are complaining about people doing non-work things while WFH, but feel fortunate to work for a company that provides non-work things

Lol no.  We have happy hours on occasion or entertain clients so it's work related.  Also people watch tv or chill during lunch there.  The workout room is typically used before or after work though people will go walk on the treadmill while listening to a webinar....stuff like that.  In my industry we have to have office coverage so my company does things to make it a great work environment.  I've never said I was opposed to working from home if the right situation or position and I wasn't complaining just made a point about conversations I've had about people working from home telling me how great it is because they can accomplish x,y,z.  You're the one completely bent out of shape on this equating companies that "force" people to come into the office as a form of slavery.

 

[Insein]

I get it.  I have a 2 min commute and the longest anyone has in my office is a half hour on a bad day.  I couldn't fathom that long of a commute that sounds horrible.

Well it's 1:15 in the morning and an 1 hr in the afternoon when I was going to work still. I'd usually be on calls driving both ways. It was annoying not being able to see my laptop while we had a conversation. So I just stayed home and my boss was cool with it. Everything we do can be completed via computer so 90% of the team works from home at least 3 days a week 

 

[The Noid]

At all my previous companies with WFH options, it's been the same:

• If you have a static WFH day (e.g. Mondays), as part of your approved  schedule then that's the only day you work home. Your schedule is that you are in the office Tuesday - Friday, so if you're not on PTO those days, you are in. Think of it this way: If your schedule was 8-5 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and 12-9 on Wednesdays, would you be expected to work 12-9 on another day after using PTO on a Wednesday? No, Wednesday is the 12-9 day, and you were off that day and you wouldn't want to override your normal schedule on any other days, right? 
  
• If you have a "work one day a week" remote as part of your approved schedule, even if you usually take it on the same day, then PTO wouldn't negate doing it another day that week.
  

So it really comes down to how your agreed upon work from home schedule was outlined. I've always had it approved, or in writing, the latter way. 

 

[cubd8]

Everywhere I have worked the last 10 years or so has had some sort of work from home option. The current job didn't get it till about a year ago and those in management in my department seem to be resistant to this policy but agree to it begrudgingly. Anywhere else I worked if I, say, had a WFH day weekly every Monday and for some reason I took PTO for that Monday, my WFH day would shift to another day of the week. I've done this so many times, I assumed it was SOP. Here, if you take PTO on your WFH day, you no longer get to WFH a day that week. Any HR people out there? Is this normal?

My team all work from home. Most of them have a regular schedule, but I don't manage it to that degree to where I'm asking them to come in if they took a day off on a day where they may have been in.

As long as my team is getting their work done, I don't really care where they are, but I know my directors (or moreso their boss) hate seeing open cubes, etc. 

Mostly though, this is common sense for me. If you aren't responsive at home, I'm going to end your WFH. I do want people coming in, ideally 1-2 a week, if nothing more than to show your face and work with the team.

 

[NutterButter]

There are a lot more distractions though. Most everyone I know that works from home takes multiple breaks to mow the yard, drop off and or pick up kids from school, take the dog for a walk etc.  So while you may work longer I doubt it's more productive on a per hour basis.

I've done so much home improvement work while working from home.   I'm a coder so it's not hard to move work around to make it look like you did something that day.   Just do more than usual the day before but only say you did half of it that day and save the other half for the wfh day.  

 

[Alex P Keaton]

There are a lot more distractions though. Most everyone I know that works from home takes multiple breaks to mow the yard, drop off and or pick up kids from school, take the dog for a walk etc.  So while you may work longer I doubt it's more productive on a per hour basis.

Most everyone I know who works in an office wastes 2-3 hours per day BS'ing with co-workers while standing in a row of cubicles.

Edit to add:  I dialed into a conference call (that my boss was hosting during the lunch hour) while taking a tennis lesson.  It was awesome.

 

[Cold Dead Hands]

I tried working from home but the sexual harrasment became unbearable.

I feel your pain. My wife hates when I work from home too.

 

[kutta]

I’m the boss and get so much more done with a work at home day than an office day. I have zero problem with someone working at home.

However, if they are working at home several days a week and their manger says things aren’t getting done, it becomes an issue.

But, if they are working in the office and their manager says things aren’t getting done, that’s an issue too.

So, whatever.

I hope this makes as much sense when I’m sober as it does at this very instant.

 

[Arizona Ron]

Ask the manager to put in writing that he wants you to use PTO while working remote.