Since returning to work from COVID lockdowns, my job has been working on negotiating permanent hybrid telework to “boost the morale and job satisfaction” of employees. We would be working from home 4 days a week, with the exception of one day a week in the office for tasks that can't be performed at home (I interview people, send correspondence from my work office, etc.)
We just had a big meeting where it was announced that this will be happening sometime this year, with the official date still to be determined. However, we were also quickly informed that if we are to work from home, no one else can be in the house with us. This includes kids and other adults. I'm a parent. When they first brought up telework, I got excited about possibly saving myself $1500 a month in childcare expenses and spending more time with my kids. Now I know that this won't be happening. We were informed that if it is discovered that there are more people in the house with us while we are working, we would be let go. This is because we work with sensitive legal information and visitors at our main office have to sign a type of NDA before being allowed in certain areas, like the area I work in. So I get that. Although, I don't know what my 1 year old would do with this info.
So, when the contract is finally negotiated, it looks like I will be just continuing to come to the office. The main reason I was excited about remote work was to be able to spend more time with my family. I don't know if it's just me, but something about taking my kids to school/daycare in the mornings then coming back to a quiet house to work sounds like it would become depressing after a little while. At least I get some socialization in the office. My husband also often gets off work before me, so am I supposed to tell him that he can't come home until 5 p.m. sharp? Because of this, a lot of people are saying they won't be working from home now, anyway, as they have others living with them that they can't just kick out during work hours.
Also, I have A LOT of downtime at my job. I am not actively working every second of the day. I can get all of my work done for the day in an hour or two and not possibly have anything else left to work on. The same goes for everyone I work with. They know this, but noted that any signs of slacking off or having others in the home will get you in trouble.
Welp, there goes that idea. Anyone else dealing with a similar dilemma?