I started a new job a few months ago, which has the option for work from home and working in the office.
During my interview they talked about how they really wanted someone who would come to the office. I lived 2 hours away at the time of interview, and I planned to move to the Capital City the office is in but I really didn't like the areas there when I went for viewings, so I went for a commuter town 1 hour away instead. The trains aren't cheap, I have no car, and it is 2 hours journey in total if I do go in, but I was really fine with the commute time and cost.
The thing is, when I go to the office, nobody talks – not just not to me but to anyone. The office is silent all day, people just put their headphones on and listen to Spotify. That's fine for those who live local and walk in but it seems really pointless for me to travel in just to listen to Spotify which I could do at home.
Also, when I get feedback on my work instead of talking to me they just write comments on Word or type to me over Teams, despite sitting right next to me.. It just feels really unmotivating to go in to be treated as if I was home anyway.
Someone else in my team is a fully remote worker so even if I am in the office for meetings, we join on Teams regardless.
And finally, when I walk to work in that city even at 9am, each time I have been catcalled or shouted at by men. A group even started walking after me shouting hello and excuse me. I don't even feel safe walking in and I don't have any friendly coworker to talk to about it.
I get paid 10,000 USD less than the average national salary for the job position, and I'm not entirely sure if it's because I'm an immigrant or not. I have a BSc (Hons) and an MA and 5 years of work experience. I don't mind the job when it's work from home, but going to the office for the time and money it costs to get no social benefit and just feel alone and depressed is really weighing on my mind.
Should I ask the employer to work fully remote? Or go in once/twice a month? I feel like they would be angry since they said in the interview how they wanted someone in the office but I didn't know how bad the office environment was for me until after I started.