Apologies for essay. Tl;dr at the bottom.
We've experienced a looming threat of eventually returning to office for 2 years now. Company continued to say it was only temporary. Doesn't care that they didn't pay us for months then had us on part time for the longest time (with fortnightly rosters for salaried staff???) pretty much ensuring we had zero security and causing all sorts of anxiety. They don't care we're more efficient now than ever before with increased workloads due to downsizing (supply chain work). They believe the status quo of 3 years ago is still relevant…
They don't seem to get that life has moved on without them and we've had to make sacrifices and move away and make quite literally life changing decisions to survive and yet the narrative has always been 'temporary WFH' and continues to be that way. Sure, I'll just uproot my life for a second time in 2 years because the company tells me to! I live to serve, right?
Well, I got sick and tired of this looming threat today after we were told to start making appearances again so I called my boss. He's a good guy and I respect him but he is at a level in the company where he has to be a 'company man' and follow company commandments.
The conversation was long but fruitful. Told him the level of anxiety caused by this uncertainty is unacceptable and we need to come to a permanent arrangement right now because I refuse to hear about it again. Told him that it's unacceptable for the company to now demand my physical presence and listed all the wonderful things we've achieved while remote over the past 2 years and I asked 'What's changed? Why do you all of a sudden need me there when you didn't for 2 years? Did I miraculously stop doing my job overnight?'. My departments performance has been nothing short of exceptional so we both knew the answers here.
And what do you know? He agreed! Man, that sense of relief cannot be understated. Full time WFH and for it to never be brought up again and if blanket statements are made by the company, that they do not apply to me. Not only that, I said in no uncertain terms that the rules for me were also for that of my team. I had already made arrangements with my team many moons ago that under no circumstances were they returning to the office while I was their inline manager. Boss could technically override me on this however it would destroy the working relationship for all parties.
I was fully prepared to end the call with a resignation as WFH really has become non negotiable for me but it never got to that point. It wouldn't have been a half assed decision either. I was already running the numbers for the past few weeks as I could tell it was coming and found that I had a few months up my sleeve to get employed elsewhere before running dry. Having the knowledge of 'you need me more than I need you' and the resulting confidence behind it helped immensely and allowed my non negotiables to be just that.
This subs stories of success and total badassery (since when did standing up for yourself become badass, right?) pushed me to be far firmer in my stances and demand a better working environment. Keep on keeping on y'all. Your posts inspire.
Tl;dr – Permanent full time WFH because I said so.