Working from home but not having the right space

[Frenchsalesadministrator]

Hi all

I've found this job vacancy which I want to apply to and the location is working from home.

However, I don't have a suitable space in my house to work from home (no spare rooms, too many distractions etc)

Is any of you in a similar situation and what solution have you found?

Thank you
Fabien

 

[fisicx]

Buy (or build) a garden office.

What are all these distractions? What is the actual job?

 

[WaveJumper]

Unless you have the space or option to remedy the situation why are you looking at job vacancies which require WFH I thought many a company were looking for people to actually turn up to an office these days

 

[Mark T Jones]

You are right to be concerned- the whole WFH thing has been flagged as potential cause of many long-term problems in years to come

@Newchodge will be able to comment if employers have any duties in this respect (I suspect not)

For you personally,bit really depends on what resources - space and money - you have available to you

 

[Porky]

I would have thought the company employing you would ask if you have a suitable desk and chair, environment to work in. It’s not practical to do this job without.

You could look to rent a hot desk in an office near you, build a garden office or try a cut a deal with a friend who is out all day that might let you use say their dinning room or other house room to work from for a contribution to electric/ heat but in all doesn’t sound like you have thought this through.

Maybe you should look for a job that’s office based.

FWIW I employee a number of staff on WFH but making sure they have adequate space and conditions to work is part of that, even supplying some with ergonomic chairs if they need one.

Good luck

 

[WaveJumper]

Whilst waiting for things to kick off here this morning was having a quick look at this:

Managing home workers' health and safety - Overview - HSE

Employers must make sure employees get immediate help if taken ill or injured at work.

www.hse.gov.uk

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

I had this problem when we tried to store 28 pallets of freight on the patio and service a Luton van on the lawn in the rain

 

[BubbaWY]

Hi all

I've found this job vacancy which I want to apply to and the location is working from home.

However, I don't have a suitable space in my house to work from home (no spare rooms, too many distractions etc)

Is any of you in a similar situation and what solution have you found?

Thank you
Fabien

Are you sure WFH is for you? It isnt for everyone.

In my previous job, which I left in February, I was working predmoninently from home. The head office was almost 2 hours away so I rarely went in.

Im a social person. I was working from home all day and not seeing anybody so come 4pm, I was logging off and going to the pub every night. My mental health suffered and I ended up leaving the job and the generous package I was on. Im now back full time in an office environment, which suits me.

So it works for some, and not for others. So give it serious thought before going for it.

 

[Newchodge]

I think there is a difference between asking or allowing existing workers towork from home and employing someone to do the same.

For a new employee it is simple. The employer needs to be sure that any potential employee who will be emplyed from home has a suitable environment to do so. A bit like stating that a new employee will be required to use their own car. No car or no suitable environment, then there is no point applying.

For existing workers the employer has a duty to ensure they have a suitable environment and appropriate equipment - to the extent of supplying the equipment if necessary.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

What sort of work is it your looking for, computer type work is different requirements than sewing or packing goods etc,
Are limited just by space or are you looking a pre school children. if you explain your position you might be given some other ideas

 

[BusterBloodvessel]

Are you sure WFH is for you? It isnt for everyone.

In my previous job, which I left in February, I was working predmoninently from home. The head office was almost 2 hours away so I rarely went in.

Im a social person. I was working from home all day and not seeing anybody so come 4pm, I was logging off and going to the pub every night. My mental health suffered and I ended up leaving the job and the generous package I was on. Im now back full time in an office environment, which suits me.

So it works for some, and not for others. So give it serious thought before going for it.

Been there, done that. It is true that you end up feeling the need for some socialisation and escape from your own 4 walls. In particular when I changed jobs from one WFH but with multiple teams meetings and phone calls all day to one that was much calmer, slower paced and part of a much smaller team. There were times I realised I had literally gone 2 or sometimes even 3 days and not spoken to anyone other than a couple of work related phone calls. Particularly noticed it in Winter with the darker nights and not getting out walking the dog or similar as much.

So yep, a couple of pints just to socialise was my excuse but that soon slipped from an evening stroll for 2 or 3 pints a couple of times a week to spending all night every night in the pub. Waking up not feeling great, dragging myself into the spare room and working bleary eyed in my scruffy clothes until it was time to log off and go to the pub again.

I had to have a big reset and sort a routine. I now get up at least an hour before work, try and take the dog out and/or go for a run. Shower and get dressed in some "proper" clothes including sometimes my branded work shirts if I have Teams meetings that day. Get in a proper frame of mind for sitting down starting work. I take regular 15 minute breaks throughout the day to take the dog out and get some fresh air, during those I try not to be staring at my phone whether it's social media or emails. Once or twice a week I try to catch up with a mate for a quick lunch who works similarly, we'll go to a local cafe or something.

It means that I actually tend to work later factoring in the breaks but I'm much more focused during the working periods, by the time I then finish it's later in the evening so time to make some dinner and get settled rather than finishing at 4pm and heading straight to the pub for the teatime lads drink.

Sorry, slightly OT from what the OP was asking but hopefully useful advise for others!

 

[Frenchsalesadministrator]

Unless you have the space or option to remedy the situation why are you looking at job vacancies which require WFH I thought many a company were looking for people to actually turn up to an office these days

Hi WaveJumper,

Initially, I wasn't looking at WFH.
I would prefer to get out of the house and work elsewhere indeed. However, I was contacted by a recruitment agency for this job and the offer was such that I can't ignore it.

 

[fisicx]

Hi WaveJumper,

Initially, I wasn't looking at WFH.
I would prefer to get out of the house and work elsewhere indeed. However, I was contacted by a recruitment agency for this job and the offer was such that I can't ignore it.

But if you don't have somewhere at home to work distraction free it's not viable. Why can't you rent some workspace?

 

[Frenchsalesadministrator]

Are you sure WFH is for you? It isnt for everyone.

In my previous job, which I left in February, I was working predmoninently from home. The head office was almost 2 hours away so I rarely went in.

Im a social person. I was working from home all day and not seeing anybody so come 4pm, I was logging off and going to the pub every night. My mental health suffered and I ended up leaving the job and the generous package I was on. Im now back full time in an office environment, which suits me.

So it works for some, and not for others. So give it serious thought before going for it.

Thank you BubbaWY for sharing your experience. The only reason that I am considering this job is because of the really good package on offer.
Like you, my mental health will properly suffer in the long term so it is not viable.

 

[Frenchsalesadministrator]

What sort of work is it your looking for, computer type work is different requirements than sewing or packing goods etc,
Are limited just by space or are you looking a pre school children. if you explain your position you might be given some other ideas

The job on offer is an Account Manager role in the travel industry.

I am mainly limited by a suitable environment to work in, space but having people in the house if I work in the lounge or kitchen to make or receive calls.

 

[Frenchsalesadministrator]

Been there, done that. It is true that you end up feeling the need for some socialisation and escape from your own 4 walls. In particular when I changed jobs from one WFH but with multiple teams meetings and phone calls all day to one that was much calmer, slower paced and part of a much smaller team. There were times I realised I had literally gone 2 or sometimes even 3 days and not spoken to anyone other than a couple of work related phone calls. Particularly noticed it in Winter with the darker nights and not getting out walking the dog or similar as much.

So yep, a couple of pints just to socialise was my excuse but that soon slipped from an evening stroll for 2 or 3 pints a couple of times a week to spending all night every night in the pub. Waking up not feeling great, dragging myself into the spare room and working bleary eyed in my scruffy clothes until it was time to log off and go to the pub again.

I had to have a big reset and sort a routine. I now get up at least an hour before work, try and take the dog out and/or go for a run. Shower and get dressed in some "proper" clothes including sometimes my branded work shirts if I have Teams meetings that day. Get in a proper frame of mind for sitting down starting work. I take regular 15 minute breaks throughout the day to take the dog out and get some fresh air, during those I try not to be staring at my phone whether it's social media or emails. Once or twice a week I try to catch up with a mate for a quick lunch who works similarly, we'll go to a local cafe or something.

It means that I actually tend to work later factoring in the breaks but I'm much more focused during the working periods, by the time I then finish it's later in the evening so time to make some dinner and get settled rather than finishing at 4pm and heading straight to the pub for the teatime lads drink.

Sorry, slightly OT from what the OP was asking but hopefully useful advise for others!

Thank you for sharing your experience.

 

[Frenchsalesadministrator]

But if you don't have somewhere at home to work distraction free it's not viable. Why can't you rent some workspace?

Yes I tried to look into it but all I could find was a minimum of £135 a month.

I don't know if there are any better options in the Birmingham area.

 

[BusterBloodvessel]

Note sure what you're getting for £135 a month but if that's desk/office space every day then that seems remarkably cheap to me?!?

 

[fisicx]

Yes I tried to look into it but all I could find was a minimum of £135 a month.

I don't know if there are any better options in the Birmingham area.

That's not bad. Under £7/day is pretty cheap

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Account Manager role in the travel industry.

You're not being asked to pay for this role, are you?

Also, £135 a month is remarkable - take that offer. This will give you the freedom to work from home or 'an office' as you require. Depending on the location, you could make new friends, colleagues and clients!

 

[BusterBloodvessel]

Yes out of interest is this a job, or is it a "work from home business opportunity" advertised on social media.....?

 

[japancool]

This is more of an employee problem surely, not really a business owner's issue?

 

[Frenchsalesadministrator]

You're not being asked to pay for this role, are you?

Also, £135 a month is remarkable - take that offer. This will give you the freedom to work from home or 'an office' as you require. Depending on the location, you could make new friends, colleagues and clients!

Hi Paul,
Not being asked to pay anything.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Frenchsalesadministrator]

Yes out of interest is this a job, or is it a "work from home business opportunity" advertised on social media.....?

It is a proper job, not a business opportunity.

 

[AlanJ1]

Ditto the people aboe, £135/m seems great.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

For those that do shirk from home this company builds bespoke desks and home office equipment and it is very good I like it

Living

www.madeinply.co.uk

 

[Mark T Jones]

It is a proper job, not a business opportunity.

I'd start by asking them for a contribution to office space (or even salary deduction, as it will come off your taxed income)

 

[zomex]

I had this same issue. I was working in my dining room for many years. Thankfully a year before my son was born I converted a outside workshop to an office.

It's a game changer to have that space.

It's difficult for you because if you don't have the space inside there is nothing you can do. You could potentially have a garden office built but cost wise it's expensive (average would be around 20k for what I have seen).

 

[fisicx]

You could potentially have a garden office built but cost wise it's expensive (average would be around 20k for what I have seen).

Or just cough up £135/month for a shared office space. It's so cheap it's bonkers not to take up the offer.

 

[zomex]

Or just cough up £135/month for a shared office space. It's so cheap it's bonkers not to take up the offer.

Of course but that wouldn't be working from home which is sounds like is what the OP wants to discuss.

 

[fisicx]

Of course but that wouldn't be working from home which is sounds like is what the OP wants to discuss.

I agree but it's a reasonable and practical solution to get then started while the look for alternatives such as a garden office - or even move house. But as @Frenchsalesadministrator hasn't told us why they will get distracted or there isn't room on the dining room table we are just guessing.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

£135 sounds cheap until you have to drive, park, buy expensive coffee etc.,

 

[fisicx]

£135 sounds cheap until you have to drive, park, buy expensive coffee etc.,

Or they could walk/cycle, bring a thermos and lunch. A lot of these work share place have a water heater so you can make a hot drink. The one I used recently had a fridge and free tea/coffee

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Probably not in that price range, but there is a company that has beer and wine in tap included in the