New Office Mates

     

     I have the worst co-worker imaginable. He decides right when you need to have undivided attention on a call or in a meeting, that his presence needs to be known. He takes over the staff lounge from time to time, and eats with that loud chewing that can be so annoying when you spend your lunch times together. One of my coworkers has three new office mates, two of which need periodic check-ins and oversight, and he alternates with the other senior staff, who is the point person for the day. Another colleagues office mate decides to type random jibberish, and if she doesn't catch-it, it comes through in e-mails. I'm off course, talking about the new work from home setting. Barking dogs, cats that walk across key boards, children, other adults also working from home are many of our new office mates. Pup is not happy having his daily space invaded, plus, the morning walks the neighbors are doing that disrupt his morning staring out the back patio door to the park, causes all kinds of fits for him.


     I need to start by saying I am blessed to be able to keep working, keep earning, my full paycheck. I carry the health insurance so that means no disruption in our coverage, which gives huge peace of mind. I don't have young children, as several of my co-workers do. It is the norm for a child to come sit next to the parent on a conference call. We're getting creative as a work force. The man above, he and his wife set their 5 and 9 year old up each morning with a sort of plan, and they alternate who then is the parent of support for each child, the five year old needing more adult time than the 9 year old. It means both are extending their work day into the evening to try and get their jobs done.

     We are challenged with internet access and bandwidth from time to time. We need to change our service provider. DH is good at finding deal, but by bundling our internet with direct TV, I think we have the lowest quality service. Until then though, DD2 and I have had to stagger some of our work. I log off the internet completely when she has live classes or her Zoom voice lessons. Privacy is a concern, such as her voice lesson. On Tuesday, first I took pup for a walk then we sat outside to do a little off line work. As I needed privacy for a highly confidential call, I took it sitting in the driveway in my car yesterday because both DH and DD2 were home. It's not that they would listen in, or care about the topic, but its about workplace fidelity. Same with handling confidential information. I need to make sure I don't leave anything sitting out, or a screen open on my computer.

     While we've been given new tools to support the remote work, I personally am struggling some days with the technology, and sharing files, electronic signatures, and shared access. I can read directions, but sometimes until I see how someone is using something, it takes a bit to click in my brain. I juggle between two cell phones, two computers, a jerry rigged second screen, and moving work spaces depending on the activity. But, work is getting done. I'm still doing my job and so are those I work with. DD2 and I usually have lunch together, and that has been nice. I've had some tense situations and a few really bad work days. Snuggles with my dog, and a real break where I take him for a walk mid-day is appreciated. I've taken advantage of the warm sunny days and moved my laptop outside, soaking in a little free vitamin D-I don't have that in the office.

     How has work changed for you? Are you furloughed right now or reduced hours? For those with students in your home, are you juggling school work between kids, or between your child and your work needs? Alternatively, what is working well for you?