How can I say I prefer in-office work over WFH without disclosing why?
January 23, 2022 7:46 PM Subscribe
I prefer working in an office 1000x more than working from home. I recently started a new job at a company where we can work from the office, and I do - but everyone else on my team chooses to WFH. My new boss doesn't care where I work, but expressed mild curiosity when he learned that I have been going to the office regularly. How can I say that I prefer the office without causing doubts about the quality of my work if/when I would need to WFH?
The TLDR is that I am MUCH more productive, focused, and happy in an office. I've had issues with anxiety and focus while working from home, in part because I can't "turn off" my attention around the apartment/things that need to be done, and in part because I live in an high cost of living area so my spouse and I have to be on top of each other while simultaneously on Zoom calls. Also, people! I like being around people!
I made the mistake of sharing my frank thoughts about WFH with a previous employer at the start of the pandemic, when we all thought that we could just shelter in place for a few weeks to "flatten the curve" and.... the employer went permanently remote a few months later. This damaged my reputation at work since I had basically said "I am not as productive when I work from home" while many of my colleagues were the opposite, raving about their incredible increased productivity and how much they didn't miss seeing coworkers in person. (I work in tech.)
If my new boss brings up again his mild curiosity about why I am choosing to work from the office instead of at home, I want to say something light that explains why I'm doing it that's not "I'm more productive in the office" or "I am not a zillionaire so can't afford extra rooms in my home that I can devote solely to my employer". I don't want to put the idea in his head that I might be less productive if there was another shutdown and I had to WFH - or if the company goes fully remote. Any ideas? When I'm on Zoom I use a Zoom background so it's not obvious where I'm working from - this is just a request for a breezy one-liner explanation of why I might want to be in the office.
The TLDR is that I am MUCH more productive, focused, and happy in an office. I've had issues with anxiety and focus while working from home, in part because I can't "turn off" my attention around the apartment/things that need to be done, and in part because I live in an high cost of living area so my spouse and I have to be on top of each other while simultaneously on Zoom calls. Also, people! I like being around people!
I made the mistake of sharing my frank thoughts about WFH with a previous employer at the start of the pandemic, when we all thought that we could just shelter in place for a few weeks to "flatten the curve" and.... the employer went permanently remote a few months later. This damaged my reputation at work since I had basically said "I am not as productive when I work from home" while many of my colleagues were the opposite, raving about their incredible increased productivity and how much they didn't miss seeing coworkers in person. (I work in tech.)
If my new boss brings up again his mild curiosity about why I am choosing to work from the office instead of at home, I want to say something light that explains why I'm doing it that's not "I'm more productive in the office" or "I am not a zillionaire so can't afford extra rooms in my home that I can devote solely to my employer". I don't want to put the idea in his head that I might be less productive if there was another shutdown and I had to WFH - or if the company goes fully remote. Any ideas? When I'm on Zoom I use a Zoom background so it's not obvious where I'm working from - this is just a request for a breezy one-liner explanation of why I might want to be in the office.
At this point -- two years in -- an easy excuse would be something breezy like "Well I sure am sick of my house, LOL, and I'm ready to get out into the world again!" Or "I've spent about enough time with my spouse, LOL." You could also say "I'm triple vaxxed and not immunocompromised so it feels safe enough at this point."
But I agree to keep away from those serious reasons you mentioned. I doubt they're gonna give you the third degree about it.
posted by BlahLaLa at 7:50 PM on January 23, 2022 [26 favorites]
But I agree to keep away from those serious reasons you mentioned. I doubt they're gonna give you the third degree about it.
posted by BlahLaLa at 7:50 PM on January 23, 2022 [26 favorites]
“It’s just nice to get out of the house.”
“I like the separation between work and home.”
“Getting back into the office feels like ‘normal’ life.”
posted by corey flood at 7:50 PM on January 23, 2022 [38 favorites]
“I like the separation between work and home.”
“Getting back into the office feels like ‘normal’ life.”
posted by corey flood at 7:50 PM on January 23, 2022 [38 favorites]
I think it's totally reasonable to say you're most productive in the office, and I seriously can't imagine anyone judging you for this or assuming it means you definitely can't work from home. Just say it casually- no need to go into detail about how challenging it is to work at home, but you're hardly alone in feeling that way.
posted by pinochiette at 7:50 PM on January 23, 2022 [7 favorites]
posted by pinochiette at 7:50 PM on January 23, 2022 [7 favorites]
You can say something like "I enjoy a dedicated workspace" or "I prefer an office atmosphere for work." You don't have to go into details.
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 7:51 PM on January 23, 2022 [36 favorites]
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 7:51 PM on January 23, 2022 [36 favorites]
“Oh I don’t mind working from home when it’s necessary, but if I get to choose I prefer to separate my work life and home life.”
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 7:53 PM on January 23, 2022 [54 favorites]
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 7:53 PM on January 23, 2022 [54 favorites]
“I like the office and my partner doesn’t. He works from home a lot and is on calls all day. We can make it work, but the break is nice!@
posted by dpx.mfx at 7:56 PM on January 23, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by dpx.mfx at 7:56 PM on January 23, 2022 [3 favorites]
I don't think you need a huge explanation, "I am comforted by the presence of office equipment and supplies" should be good enough. They likely realize that there are different strokes for different folks.
posted by credulous at 8:05 PM on January 23, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by credulous at 8:05 PM on January 23, 2022 [5 favorites]
One of the most useful things I ever learned is to, whenever possible, phrase things in terms of what you DO want rather than what you DON'T want. So, you say the things you like about working in the office instead of the things you don't like about working fom home.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:09 PM on January 23, 2022 [29 favorites]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:09 PM on January 23, 2022 [29 favorites]
What about like "Oh I just like getting out of the house, you know what I mean?" They probably do know what you mean. Do you think they might be really wondering if it's safe or not? (You don't have to tell us, just something to consider)
posted by bleep at 8:14 PM on January 23, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by bleep at 8:14 PM on January 23, 2022 [6 favorites]
"The commute helps me catch up on my podcasts."
posted by BungaDunga at 8:30 PM on January 23, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by BungaDunga at 8:30 PM on January 23, 2022 [5 favorites]
"It feels more professional."
posted by Jane the Brown at 8:34 PM on January 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Jane the Brown at 8:34 PM on January 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
“Spouse works from home and our place is small so we’re in each other’s way all day long.”
posted by jabes at 8:37 PM on January 23, 2022
posted by jabes at 8:37 PM on January 23, 2022
I'm sorry to dodge your question but LOTS of us are more productive in the office. You're in a work dedicated environment, it's easier to ask a quick question of a colleague, you might well have a nicer desk/keyboard/monitor setup, and you're less distracted. I wouldn't say, like, "When I'm WFH I just sit around and drink bourbon all day", but I can't see literally any problem with saying "I feel a little bit more focused working at the office."
posted by ftm at 8:54 PM on January 23, 2022 [7 favorites]
posted by ftm at 8:54 PM on January 23, 2022 [7 favorites]
You're framing this one thing fine, other thing not fine. Frame it instead as one thing fine, other thing better!
Like, "I'm just fine working from home, but I really really love the extra boost I get from being in a professional environment. That kind of atmosphere is something that I really miss when I work from home. I'm one of those unusual people who really excels in an office."
posted by amtho at 9:20 PM on January 23, 2022 [10 favorites]
Like, "I'm just fine working from home, but I really really love the extra boost I get from being in a professional environment. That kind of atmosphere is something that I really miss when I work from home. I'm one of those unusual people who really excels in an office."
posted by amtho at 9:20 PM on January 23, 2022 [10 favorites]
Frame it instead as one thing fine, other thing better!
Came to say this. The secret is to state your preference without trashing the other option, ie it's a preference, not an absolute requirement for performance.
Plenty of people would rather keep work and home life separate, and so your boss should not find this too unusual. But, it is a good idea to make it clear that you can get your work done at home if you need to.
posted by rpfields at 9:37 PM on January 23, 2022 [2 favorites]
Came to say this. The secret is to state your preference without trashing the other option, ie it's a preference, not an absolute requirement for performance.
Plenty of people would rather keep work and home life separate, and so your boss should not find this too unusual. But, it is a good idea to make it clear that you can get your work done at home if you need to.
posted by rpfields at 9:37 PM on January 23, 2022 [2 favorites]
Say something that a) is positive and b) doesn’t rank the choices. So you’re not cramped at home (negative) and more productive in the office (ranks office over home), you’re “liking the work/life balance.”
posted by kapers at 9:46 PM on January 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by kapers at 9:46 PM on January 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
“I’ve come to appreciate a separation between work and home and value the idea of home as sanctuary.”
posted by Juniper Toast at 10:06 PM on January 23, 2022
posted by Juniper Toast at 10:06 PM on January 23, 2022
"It's been great to have the option of working from home, however I really do enjoy the change of scenery!"
posted by kinddieserzeit at 11:04 PM on January 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by kinddieserzeit at 11:04 PM on January 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
"I can be productive either way, but I really like the routines of in-office work."
Then give an anecdote, like, "I used to finish my workday by going for a drive and listening to the radio."
posted by champers at 3:21 AM on January 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
Then give an anecdote, like, "I used to finish my workday by going for a drive and listening to the radio."
posted by champers at 3:21 AM on January 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
I think you should avoid overcomplicating this.
"I just like working in the office!" with a smile is fine. You don't have to have an enumerated list of bullet points as to why. Everyone understands that people simply like some things more than others.
posted by penguin pie at 4:30 AM on January 24, 2022 [3 favorites]
"I just like working in the office!" with a smile is fine. You don't have to have an enumerated list of bullet points as to why. Everyone understands that people simply like some things more than others.
posted by penguin pie at 4:30 AM on January 24, 2022 [3 favorites]
How about mostly sticking to the real answer and just making it something like "It's easier for me to be productive in the office," which doesn't imply that you're incapable of being productive from home, just that it takes more effort.
posted by eponym at 5:50 AM on January 24, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by eponym at 5:50 AM on January 24, 2022 [3 favorites]
say that your desk is bigger in the office, so you can spread out and be more comfortable
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 6:08 AM on January 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 6:08 AM on January 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
Don't overcomplicate it. A decade ago, I spent a year commuting three times a week via train a hundred miles to a client's offices in Chicago, working 12 hours a day, because as a consultant for exotic issues that often have me working remotely on stuff that's thousands of miles away for months or years at a time, I enjoyed the change of pace of working next-cubicle to clever and smart people. Not to mention a stunning view of The Loop. No one thought it particularly strange or said anything, beyond making sure that I knew expectations were such that I could work from home if I wanted. It was a great time. But I'm also happy not to be doing it anymore.
COVID has brought to the common consciousness a whole slew of reasons for and against WFH. It is unlikely that any manager is going to be unaware of the general issues employees face. It may have been mild curiosity, but it could also have been a way to see if there was some deficiency in your home office, such as lack of a larger monitor.
posted by jgreco at 6:43 AM on January 24, 2022 [2 favorites]
COVID has brought to the common consciousness a whole slew of reasons for and against WFH. It is unlikely that any manager is going to be unaware of the general issues employees face. It may have been mild curiosity, but it could also have been a way to see if there was some deficiency in your home office, such as lack of a larger monitor.
posted by jgreco at 6:43 AM on January 24, 2022 [2 favorites]
Glib: "You know all the 'return to office' trend pieces you read last year where they interviewed those crazy people who prefer the office? I regret to inform you I'm one of those people."
Spun: "Commuting to an office gives me a free bonus to my concentration on work."
Table-turning: "Are you just making conversation because of idle curiosity, or are you concerned I'm not taking advantage of home office benefits?"
Animal: "Downtown restaurants are so much better than the lunches I was making at home, and I can pick up dinner after work."
Investigating: "Why, is the company thinking of closing or downsizing the office?"
Practical: "My spouse and I were being heard on each other's Zoom calls and this makes it easier for both of us, plus I like the fresh air / podcasts / singing 'Hamilton' in the car / whatever other shallow commute benefit."
posted by fedward at 7:47 AM on January 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
Spun: "Commuting to an office gives me a free bonus to my concentration on work."
Table-turning: "Are you just making conversation because of idle curiosity, or are you concerned I'm not taking advantage of home office benefits?"
Animal: "Downtown restaurants are so much better than the lunches I was making at home, and I can pick up dinner after work."
Investigating: "Why, is the company thinking of closing or downsizing the office?"
Practical: "My spouse and I were being heard on each other's Zoom calls and this makes it easier for both of us, plus I like the fresh air / podcasts / singing 'Hamilton' in the car / whatever other shallow commute benefit."
posted by fedward at 7:47 AM on January 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
We have a couple of people in my office who have been opting to go back to the office several days a week. They both cite liking a change of scenery, and the one I talk to more has also mentioned that in earlier lockdown she really missed being able to pop out and have a variety of lunch takeout at her fingertips.
Possibly they are also secretly going to cry if they have to overhear one more of their spouse's zoom calls, suffer great productivity decreases at home, can't keep their cats off their keyboards, and just want an excuse to wear real pants again, but they're firmly on team "I like seeing some walls other than my home office's walls sometimes!" when it comes up on work calls, and that seems to go overly perfectly well at our workplace.
As a manager, if you told me you felt less productive at home, I *would* feel compelled to talk with you about what I could do if anything to alleviate that, under the assumption you may at least occasionally need to do so. So if you don't want to have that conversation, I think you're right to not even open that door.
posted by Stacey at 8:51 AM on January 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
Possibly they are also secretly going to cry if they have to overhear one more of their spouse's zoom calls, suffer great productivity decreases at home, can't keep their cats off their keyboards, and just want an excuse to wear real pants again, but they're firmly on team "I like seeing some walls other than my home office's walls sometimes!" when it comes up on work calls, and that seems to go overly perfectly well at our workplace.
As a manager, if you told me you felt less productive at home, I *would* feel compelled to talk with you about what I could do if anything to alleviate that, under the assumption you may at least occasionally need to do so. So if you don't want to have that conversation, I think you're right to not even open that door.
posted by Stacey at 8:51 AM on January 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
Any manager should be fine hearing "I just prefer to work from an office" or whatever. Lots of great suggestions in this thread but I want to really call out that WFH puts a burden on people that isn't necessarily fair if they're not down for it.
I'm about 1000% all in on WFH, for myself. But I think we have to acknowledge that not everybody has a home situation that allows for strong work/life separation in a way that makes everybody comfortable.
It requires more space. It requires more "infrastructure." It means setting up boundaries with family (and pets, maybe) around work time and family time. It means setting up boundaries around when you do work things and when you do personal things.
All of this involves more emotional labor and work than some people care to invest. For some of us, the integration works well - but not for everybody.
If you're not being given resources to set up a whole work space - not just a table with a laptop but also space away from your home, it can be intrusive and all that.
So this doesn't need to be about productivity, it can entirely be about your preferences of work environment. Any good manager should get that.
posted by jzb at 9:51 AM on January 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
I'm about 1000% all in on WFH, for myself. But I think we have to acknowledge that not everybody has a home situation that allows for strong work/life separation in a way that makes everybody comfortable.
It requires more space. It requires more "infrastructure." It means setting up boundaries with family (and pets, maybe) around work time and family time. It means setting up boundaries around when you do work things and when you do personal things.
All of this involves more emotional labor and work than some people care to invest. For some of us, the integration works well - but not for everybody.
If you're not being given resources to set up a whole work space - not just a table with a laptop but also space away from your home, it can be intrusive and all that.
So this doesn't need to be about productivity, it can entirely be about your preferences of work environment. Any good manager should get that.
posted by jzb at 9:51 AM on January 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
I'm a manager and would not blink at "I'm more productive in the office", but others have it correct above - if you want to be super careful, "i find it much easier to be productive".
That's it. That's all you need.
posted by ominous_paws at 12:36 PM on January 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
That's it. That's all you need.
posted by ominous_paws at 12:36 PM on January 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
"I find that working in the office helps me task-switch between work and home better"
posted by contrapositive at 7:49 PM on January 23, 2022 [50 favorites]