I was talking to my brother over the weekend and how working from home has been. I would have thought it would be more relaxed with no nonsense as long as the work is done, but what he told me sounds horrific. You have an image in your head that everyone must be happy working from home as with no commuting involved you could get more done.
He works for one of the big investment banks and has to use his phone first to get a password to log into the system. Once you are logged in if your computer/laptop doesn't register any movement a circle appears after 3 minutes turning bright orange to red after 5 minutes. Once that happens you have to log in again which is frowned upon if this happens too many times. Toilet breaks and tea breaks are expected but you don't have that much freedom as you are monitored.
Being a lawyer working in the legal section he has to obviously read and go through documents/contracts so there is no break to even think as the concern is to make sure you stay logged in even though you are mulling over things in your head. This is leading to burn out among many employees as they aren't even being given time to think things through. Many contracts are complex and involve millions of dollars so making sure the bank is covered is what he has to do. Being in his mid 50's this is like going back to school and not how adults should be treated.
At the end of the day he mentioned people are too scared to log off and everyone waits for someone to move first like a poker hand. A job is a job but these are not exactly conditions that would create more work as employees are not exactly happy. the work from home should in many ways allow employees to have some freedom and in 99% of cases you will find productivity will increase.
When I was working for the cigarette company many years ago they had a hand held computer which logged all your work and we/I never took it seriously as if you do your work why is there a "policemen" checking you. If you are a manager knowing your job then you know who is producing the goods and who isn't.
My argument to the company at the time was it didn't allow for the extra work to be completed which in my viewpoint is more valuable to the company. If you are working form home like many are then you should be able to log in and work without any fear and the results and workload will increase in most cases. If you are asked to work 8 hours a day what is wrong with someone logging in for 3 or 4 hours in the evening and getting ahead. Regimented work like this is not freedom and in my view is not healthy for the company or the employees.
I told him the computer is dictating his work pace and what is done and not the work which is the cart pulling the horse. How many other companies are using these controls as this is inhumane and finding staff to work under these conditions will be harder to find in the future. I for one would never do this no matter how much you were paying as it is just not worth it. Working from home has been a joy for myself as I actually get more done as my work day never ends.
Having your own business compared to what I am hearing is on offer in the workplace makes me realise how lucky I am. I have always been a free spirit believing that everyone is different in how they work and that a happy employee produces the best work.