During Covid, office was fully remote. Late last year, office started bringing people back. Due to role changes within that time, everyone from my team works in different states, including my manager.
It was tough returning when I don’t work with the people in the office, don’t have connections with anyone, and there’s no assigned seating. Every time I came in, I awkwardly walked around finding a seat and tried to make small talk but that didn’t last long. It was just demoralizing tbh.
I stopped coming in as often, continued joining zoom meetings and working as usual, no feedback. Things were better.
Now, the company started running reports about who has badged in and I’m being asked direct questions about when I’ve gone into the office, what days etc. Its over IM and I haven’t lied but haven’t been direct. I missed some time due to sickness other due to PTO. I know there’s more questions incoming and I am debating how to address.
I know I should start looking at remote jobs if that’s what I truly want but in the interim want to hold on here.
What would you do/say to your manager regarding those questions?