If I have to choose between open office and WFH, I will choose open-office 3~4 days /week. As I have kids, only morning time I can focus on work. Then, whole afternoon, I am distracted by them asking me to do something or some other random questions.
Of course, I am also distracted by colleagues when I am at office. It is also annoying. They do not care whether I am in focus mode or not. So, going back to the focus mode takes long and some times I couldn't until the end of the day.
Still, by answering their questions, anyhow I am unblocking them. When I WFH, I rarely get questions. Colleagues tend to send an email or slack and waiting my responses. So, my productivity may fall but overall productivity increases.
I do, however, hope companies move back to dedicated room culture. With that, at least I won't be distracted by others' hall way chats but questions.
Working from home requires some planning and modification in order to make it work. Sitting at a laptop in the same room as your kids has a predictable outcome.
The specific changes required are different for everyone. Things like a separate room with a solid door, though, are a good start when you share a home with other people. Teaching your kids what it means when the door is closed versus open can really help too. Same with whomever is caring for the kids while you work, setting clear expectations up front is a great start.
The H in WFH doesn’t necessarily have to mean your house, either. Maybe it’s a local coworking space. Maybe it’s a nearby friend’s house. A coffee shop, a hammock in the garden, a local park. Whatever works for _you_.
The key, though, is that you have to figure all that stuff out on your own. There’s no facilities team serving you a one size fits all solution. It’s more work. The benefit is that you get something tailor made.
I agree. It was my fault when WFH began that I didn't lease coworking space. I put money on wfh setup and home isnt big enough to separate me from kids.
Of course, I am also distracted by colleagues when I am at office. It is also annoying. They do not care whether I am in focus mode or not. So, going back to the focus mode takes long and some times I couldn't until the end of the day.
Still, by answering their questions, anyhow I am unblocking them. When I WFH, I rarely get questions. Colleagues tend to send an email or slack and waiting my responses. So, my productivity may fall but overall productivity increases.
I do, however, hope companies move back to dedicated room culture. With that, at least I won't be distracted by others' hall way chats but questions.