I started a new job 5 months ago, and so far I’ve been loving it. The pay is okay, but it has nice benefits, easy work, good co-workers, and more stability than I’ve ever seen. It’s been entirely WFH, and I’ve LOVED that. I love getting to have more flexible hours, hang with my dog, and afford to live by myself outside of the city. I also have pretty severe social anxiety and I would really rather just do my job than mingle with co-workers or participate in the company culture.
They recently said in a month, we’ll be returning to the office. While I’m grateful it’s hybrid, (3 days a week), my commute from home to the office is over an hour.
Between the cost of gas, time, daycare/a dog walker for my dog and the anxiety I feel working in an office of strangers, I’m filled with dread. I want to keep this job but I’m worried this is too drastic a change of my routine and quality of life. Even if I could afford to break my lease, I can’t afford to live closer to my office.
There is nothing in the responsibilities of my job that will change by being in an office. My boss hired me knowing I’m so far away, but he’s since left the company. My current managers aren’t budging about more flexibility. My next move is going to be taking to HR.
Am I being ungrateful or over-dramatic? Any advice on how I can navigate this situation?