Construction costs are currently skyrocketing

Of course, the employee has more flexibility because of this. However, from the employer's perspective, I can understand that the tech companies want to bring their employees back to the offices. Hand on heart: Do you work more or less when working from home? Yes, often for the same length of time because you don't have the commute, but actually just as productive? I sometimes catch myself getting distracted more easily because the possibility is there – at work, you are at work, apart from briefly chatting with colleagues, there isn't much to distract you.

Hand on heart: I work more hours because of and in the home office (because for example in the evening one or two more hours) and more productively, because more focused and less distraction! In the office, someone comes by all the time wanting something. In the HO it is always asynchronous, i.e. if someone wants something they chat me or write an email or a comment in the ticket. I answer when it fits. I have also never supported this trend of writing fewer messages and calling or dropping by more. Whenever HR had a new initiative regarding this, I told my interfaces: "If you want to do me a favor, keep writing, because for me the interruption in the middle of a work step or train of thought is worse than many emails...

Of course, the employee has more flexibility because of this. However, from an employer's perspective, I can understand that the tech companies want to bring their employees back to the locations. Hand on heart: Do you work more or less when working from home? Yes, often as long in terms of time, because you don’t have the commute, but actually just as productive? I sometimes catch myself getting distracted more easily because the opportunity is there – at work, you are at work, except for brief exchanges with colleagues, there’s not much to distract you.

Hand on heart – I work more concentrated and longer when working from home than in the office. No one meets me in the hallway, shorter routes to the kitchen for exclusive use, and I have my peace. My colleagues and I regularly are simultaneously stuck in different video conferences, or one is in a meeting while the other is on the phone – that goes full throttle on concentration.

I am also more relaxed because I can take breaks and finish work more flexibly. In the office, by 3:30 pm I’ve already done nine hours of work and then I get into the car. Meetings with external parties and/or project management that run longer – without me. At home, I’m happy to have a meeting at 5 pm sometimes, but then I take a relaxed two-hour break beforehand.

I have also never supported this trend of writing fewer messages and calling or dropping by more.

I almost find it rude now when a colleague who is sitting in front of the PC calls directly without first asking via chat if it’s okay. As you already said, otherwise one is constantly interrupted in thought processes. Similar to "No Hello," there is also a nice call etiquette online...

At least keep a certain office proportion like 2-3 days as indispensable.

Currently, we are allowed 2 days home office and 3 days in the office. However, in our (small) company there are colleagues who work in the warehouse or at the reception or are the house electrician; for example, they cannot do home office at all. Accordingly, they feel disadvantaged because home office was only introduced with Corona. So no "you knew that" or anything like that.

To make things worse, some people think they have to do home office even when there is an on-site appointment scheduled, just because 2 days of home office are permitted. Our management is now so annoyed by this issue that they are considering terminating the company agreement..

Every day of home office saves 100 km on the road and gives me 2 hours of free time.

Please excuse me for saying this, but that is not the employer’s problem. I also do home office only because I save quite a bit on fuel costs, but that would also not be the concern of my employer.

In home office I can react more flexibly and manage my time. At the office, I usually finish at 3:30 pm, but in home office a meeting can also take place at 5 pm.

Honestly, I don’t understand that.. You could also schedule appointments at the company for 5 pm and start work later that day.

I almost find it rude now when a colleague sitting in front of the PC calls directly, without first asking via chat if it’s a good time. As you already said, otherwise you are constantly interrupted in your thought process.

Phew, I find that extreme.. In the office, I also just call someone and if they don’t answer, they probably are busy and I wait for a callback. At the moment, it is even the case with us that some of the people working from home are hardly ever reachable by phone and do not call back either.

So if my employer cancels the company agreement, I would understand, even if it then costs me more time and fuel to get to the office.

I once called a colleague who was standing at the checkout at Rewe during his working hours.. I kept that to myself because nothing happened, but no idea what it would look like if during such an action, e.g. an accident occurs, he falls down or other things happen..

Just because working from home is not possible in some places is no reason to deny it to others. Yes, one can feel disadvantaged because of that. But what is the alternative? Making every office worker commute just because the warehouse clerk cannot do home office? The thing is quite simple. There are people who have now taken decisive action. If my company wanted to order me to the office every day, I would leave very quickly. Either I then take something nearby or go full remote. My time and my money are definitely too precious for me to commute every day. Once a week is OK.