WFH - is the W for 'washing line'?
On sunny days, the 'back to work' debate seems to be about chores...
In the UK we’re having a heatwave. And a heatwave means one thing… get the washing machine on! It’s a good drying day! Heck, I’m even going to wash the (washable) rug from the lounge while it’s scorching outside!
And it always makes me think about the WFH debate. Because it often comes down to the washing - conversationally, at least. Whether staff will be putting loads of laundry on - spending their day hanging things on the line.
It amuses and intrigues me because I think one of the greatest joys of WFH when it's sunny is hanging out the washing. I don't see it as intrusive to the working day - putting on a wash while the kettle boils on a tea break. Or hanging it out at lunchtime.
There are so many things we do in the office which aren't 'sit at our desk' things, from chatting around the kitchen area to 'meetings that could have been an email', but somehow the laundry seems to exemplify the 'time-wasting' element of working from home that many perceive.
I see more and more job adverts saying they're full-time in an office (often in London) or they're hybrid with three days in the office. The WFH norm is shifting, for sure, there's no two ways about it. I've spent most of my career, even when freelance, working in offices. I thrive when I'm around people at least some of the time, when I can bounce ideas around, and see their gestures and expressions rather than wondering what their Teams message means (winky face or not).
(I’m a bit obsessed with scrolling job ads - I really love it. I love seeing the wording used, and I am always on the lookout for roles to share with friends or clients if they’re job hunting).
And more commute time/office time means less laundry time. It also means less 'doing things you want or need to do at home' time. For me, for example, every commute is a missed opportunity for a dog walk. (I do love the commute for podcasts and reading, though. I find the deadline of a destination gives me a good amount of thinking and planning time).
I also feel strongly that being in the office at least some of the time is hugely conducive to a productive work life and environment. There are conversations that happen at work which don't happen on Teams or Slack. There are nuances to meetings which don't come across when everyone is just a face from a home office.
But there are also wins to WFH. Parenting elements aside (I'm a non parent by choice so for me the flexibility of WFH doesn't include pick ups and childcare needs), there is being in for a delivery, being around for a pet, a parent, a partner.
There is the balance on your mental health of being in your own space, in your home surroundings, and away from the noise or stress of the office.
There is the ability to clock off and go straight to the gym rather than fighting your way onto a train. Or the ability to start the day earlier and finish earlier because it doesn't involve getting to the office.
And if a manager/client thinks you’ll be ‘doing too much laundry’ when you WFH, then does the debate switch from pants on the line to trust issues? It feels to me that if a team member, or person you’re working with is worried you're going to be hanging out the washing, that's a 'them problem' - they need to think about whether they trust staff and if not, why not.
If you're looking for a shift away from your WFH job or wanting to find one that is more flexible and you aren't sure where to start, get in touch to find out how coaching can help.
Happy Friday, and here’s to you if you’ve got some washing on the line!
xJenny
P.S What’s your strangest/coolest CV story or tip? I chatted to a couple on the train home on Thursday and were were talking about AI and CVs. I told them about a friend who used to send a packet of chocolate buttons in the post with her CV. What’s the coolest/strangest CV thing you’ve ever heard?
P.P.S Come say hi on Insta!
