[Lincoln61]

So the past 10 weeks have been one of those periods of time none of us will forget. But, on a positive and reflective note, what have you learned that will influence life going forward?

• I actually like working from home! I have fewer distractions, a nicer working environment and without the commute and office politics/personalities I feel calmer and more content.

• I won’t be going back to supermarkets. Shopping local for meat and veg is a little more expensive, but the quality is better. Deliveries for the basics is fine and saves me having to meet the great unwashed public (which I hated even before all this)

• I'm more appreciative of my home and garden. I have loved pottering about doing jobs and keeping things in order. The garden looks better than ever and several decorating jobs caught up on

• I have really enjoyed the slower pace of life. I have had time to walk the dog, sit in the garden and watch the birds fledge, the wildlife and the plants bloom.

• It has made me realise that there is more to life than the constant need to shop and be doing things. Im generally happy in my own company, but this has really made me realise making me (us) happy is all you need.

• I'm better off! With savings on fuel and all the bollocks we buy when out and about (coffee, impulse buys etc) I'm saving a fortune, and I haven’t missed anything. Granted the car is a waste of money and my Amazon account has been hammered, but I have been buying things I want and thinking about it more.

[Panchoa]

Agree with the slower pace of life but I could do with getting back to some kind of normal where I can chose to go into the office if I want, go out and about, pubs, restaurants etc.....have to admit I’m struggling with the lack of interaction with others now!!!

[Blacktemplar]

Originally Posted by Lincoln61

It has made me realise that there is more to life than the constant need to shop and be doing things. Im generally happy in my own company, but this has really made me realise making me (us) happy is all you need.

^ this. That and appreciating the value of family & close friends and not taking those relationships for granted.

F*ck... I need to have a good talk to myself. Or join Mumsnet....

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by Lincoln61

So the past 10 weeks have been one of those periods of time none of us will forget. But, on a positive and reflective note, what have you learned that will influence life going forward?

• I actually like working from home! I have fewer distractions, a nicer working environment and without the commute and office politics/personalities I feel calmer and more content.

• I won’t be going back to supermarkets. Shopping local for meat and veg is a little more expensive, but the quality is better. Deliveries for the basics is fine and saves me having to meet the great unwashed public (which I hated even before all this)

• I'm more appreciative of my home and garden. I have loved pottering about doing jobs and keeping things in order. The garden looks better than ever and several decorating jobs caught up on

• I have really enjoyed the slower pace of life. I have had time to walk the dog, sit in the garden and watch the birds fledge, the wildlife and the plants bloom.

• It has made me realise that there is more to life than the constant need to shop and be doing things. Im generally happy in my own company, but this has really made me realise making me (us) happy is all you need.

• I'm better off! With savings on fuel and all the bollocks we buy when out and about (coffee, impulse buys etc) I'm saving a fortune, and I haven’t missed anything. Granted the car is a waste of money and my Amazon account has been hammered, but I have been buying things I want and thinking about it more.

Nailed it for me, pretty much all of this.

[RustyBitz]

Learnings:

- Letting parents move in with you is stressful as fu*k!
- Love the slower life and not having to go to a London/Germany regularly
- Do I really need a car? No, but I love it
- It's taken builders over the road 10 months to plaster the walls on the new house
- Never taking time with friends for granted

[Rbrown]

Totally agree with OP.

There are benefits to this. Who knows if she slowly just go back to the way we were....

[Panchoa]

Originally Posted by RustyBitz

Learnings:

- Letting parents move in with you is stressful as fu*k!

^ this.....dad lives with us and living with the older generation is far from easy.....!! Constantly moaning about stupid shite

[JustChris]

Also...the planet seems to recover very quickly if humans stop travelling etc etc

[RustyBitz]

Originally Posted by Panchoa

^ this.....dad lives with us and living with the older generation is far from easy.....!! Constantly moaning about stupid shite

I feel your pain, we have just had to ask what's the timeline for them getting their own place again.

[bishbosh]

I'll be unemployed in a month so the only thing I'm learning is what time the chemist opens for my anti-anxiety tablets

In all seriousness I am converting one of my software projects to C#which hopefully will help in the job front.

[F20MAW73]

Originally Posted by bishbosh

I'll be unemployed in a month so the only thing I'm learning is what time the chemist opens for my anti-anxiety tablets

In all seriousness I am converting one of my software projects to C#which hopefully will help in the job front.

Sorry to hear that. Going to be lots of folk soon in the same unfortunate position.

[TouringPleb]

Originally Posted by bishbosh

I'll be unemployed in a month so the only thing I'm learning is what time the chemist opens for my anti-anxiety tablets

In all seriousness I am converting one of my software projects to C#which hopefully will help in the job front.

Sorry to hear that. My other half spent most of 2018 and the beginning of 2019 unemployed and I know how stressful it is for everyone.

[F20MAW73]

Agree with much of thst OP.

However, the last few weeks I have been going into London to my office to work for a couple of days. I can commute into London in my own car so no worries of using public transport.

To be honest work wise I have been a little more productive in the office. I struggle with the discipline of working home as I find too many distractions. I kind of miss the daily routine of going to the office and plus I always used to start the day off getting up really early and using the gym near work.

My happy medium would probaly be working from home two days and three days in the office.

[robbiep]

Originally Posted by F20MAW73

Agree with much of thst OP.

However, the last few weeks I have been going into London to my office to work for a couple of days. I can commute into London in my own car so no worries of using public transport.

To be honest work wise I have been a little more productive in the office. I struggle with the discipline of working home as I find too many distractions. I kind of miss the daily routine of going to the office and plus I always used to start the day off getting up really early and using the gym near work.

My happy medium would probaly be working from home two days and three days in the office.

I think there are going to be quite a lot of people looking to work from home for some of their week. Businesses may also be very willing to give it a go - it saves them on office space, on parking, facilities, etc.

A friend of mine works for payroll at a university - there are 6 of them in their office, and they are seriously looking past the end of this, and possibly people to be in the office for 2 or 3 out of the 5 days per week

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by Panchoa

^ this.....dad lives with us and living with the older generation is far from easy.....!! Constantly moaning about stupid shite

As a dad who lives with the younger generation can I point out it works both ways!

One of the things I have learned is that I love living with my grandkids (and their parents!) but it works better when we all arent around all of the time.... so I am probably going to buy my own place (well they are going to buy my own place and they can keep the big house for now!). Not until we see what happens to prices and jobs though.... so maybe new year.

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by bishbosh

I'll be unemployed in a month so the only thing I'm learning is what time the chemist opens for my anti-anxiety tablets

In all seriousness I am converting one of my software projects to C#which hopefully will help in the job front.

Sorry to hear this. No chance of your employers lobbing you o furlough so that you at least benefit from that for a few more months? even if they only pay the cap, better than nowt. And if you dont ask you might not get...

We start consultation today for our restructure - will probably take out about 25% of the workforce, the joys of hospitality. We are planning (subject to legal feedback) extending everyones leave date to end Sept even if consultation and notice finishes before then....

good luck with the search. Most important thing is to keep positive and calm.... I know its not easy, I had 7 months off when my wife was ill, and by the time I went back we were at credit card limits and had no savings so getting a job was critical... but that has to not show in the interview!

[bishbosh]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

Sorry to hear this. No chance of your employers lobbing you o furlough so that you at least benefit from that for a few more months? even if they only pay the cap, better than nowt. And if you dont ask you might not get...

We start consultation today for our restructure - will probably take out about 25% of the workforce, the joys of hospitality. We are planning (subject to legal feedback) extending everyones leave date to end Sept even if consultation and notice finishes before then....

good luck with the search. Most important thing is to keep positive and calm.... I know its not easy, I had 7 months off when my wife was ill, and by the time I went back we were at credit card limits and had no savings so getting a job was critical... but that has to not show in the interview!

My redundancy is unrelated to Covid - boss is retiring and winding up a still profitable company. Rather than letting the rest of the staff take over, he's giving the IP to a large multi-national. We all receive a pittance, in my case an extra £2k on top of statutory. I'm aware some people may only get statutory but this is for 19 years service. He'll walk away with about £1m.

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by bishbosh

My redundancy is unrelated to Covid - boss is retiring and winding up a still profitable company. Rather than letting the rest of the staff take over, he's giving the IP to a large multi-national. We all receive a pittance, in my case an extra £2k on top of statutory. I'm aware some people may only get statutory but this is for 19 years service. He'll walk away with about £1m.

Madness. Not prepared to sell to management?

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by F20MAW73

Sorry to hear that. Going to be lots of folk soon in the same unfortunate position.

I fear you're right and to be honest I'm not entirely sure the penny's dropped with some as to how bad the economic situation might look for the next couple of years. There still seem to be quite a few who think we'll bounce back almost as if nothing's happened and I really hope they're right - not convinced they are though....

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by bishbosh

My redundancy is unrelated to Covid - boss is retiring and winding up a still profitable company. Rather than letting the rest of the staff take over, he's giving the IP to a large multi-national. We all receive a pittance, in my case an extra £2k on top of statutory. I'm aware some people may only get statutory but this is for 19 years service. He'll walk away with about £1m.

You've been stitched, that's a derisory deal.

Onwards and upwards though, after 19 years this is a chance to jump into something new.

Choosing and securing a role is a skill in itself, especially if rusty after so long out of the market. Depending on role and industry, you might find it useful to talk to a guy that I spoke to - helped overhaul my CV and gave tips on how to apply and how to interview. PM me if you want details, it was money VERY well spent from my perspective.

[bishbosh]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

Madness. Not prepared to sell to management?

He was at first, (we're a small company < 10 employees), but then he stormed out of his own meeting as he couldn't face a few questions he hadn't prepared for.

3 members of staff had since resigned and he couldn't care less even though one was a key member.

I looked up the definition of narcissist and he fits it entirely.

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

You've been stitched, that's a derisory deal.

Onwards and upwards though, after 19 years this is a chance to jump into something new.

Choosing and securing a role is a skill in itself, especially if rusty after so long out of the market. Depending on role and industry, you might find it useful to talk to a guy that I spoke to - helped overhaul my CV and gave tips on how to apply and how to interview. PM me if you want details, it was money VERY well spent from my perspective.

Yes, I know it's derisory, although any query/complaint would have seen it reduced to only statutory. I'll be glad when I never have to see his face again, and I'm sure it's what's causing me all this stress. I am actually looking forward to another position somewhere.

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by bishbosh

He was at first, (we're a small company < 10 employees), but then he stormed out of his own meeting as he couldn't face a few questions he hadn't prepared for.

3 members of staff had since resigned and he couldn't care less even though one was a key member.

I looked up the definition of narcissist and he fits it entirely.




Yes, I know it's derisory, although any query/complaint would have seen it reduced to only statutory. I'll be glad when I never have to see his face again, and I'm sure it's what's causing me all this stress. I am actually looking forward to another position somewhere.

some just cant get their head around someone else playing with their toy and maybe improving it...

Good luck with the search - all I would say is, and it might not be popular, the jobs market in the south is so much more fruitful if you are prepared to relocate / do Mon to Fri away / whatever....

ETA @mashinbenzin clearly works in the financial sector, I have never had redundancy on more than statutory, the only plus point is salary in lieu of notice... and if I go in the latest round of cuts it will be stat plus notice period....