If you can hear the 1986 rock hit by Europe in your head right now, you are not alone!
Yup, as I sit here writing this, I can hear the guitar solo now, and it sounds epic.
Anyway, back to what I came here for. The clock is ticking down now on the meeting that could change a lot for me. Something I have worked towards since about six months into the Covid pandemic. From the first couple of weeks working at home, it quickly became a dream to stay working this way. Not because of travelling, I kinda liked my commute on the bike. Gave me headspace, fresh air (kinda anyway) and much needed exercise. Nor was it the appeal of being off the radar so to speak. I have no issue being held to account for my actions and productivity.
If I had to sum it up in one word, I would say the biggest problem was "people". Frequent readers will know how I feel about people in general, the less of them around, the better for my brain. I was reminded of that only yesterday with a trip to IKEA. Finding myself occasionally stepping aside into a corner to let groups of people past, as I was aware I was getting uncomfortable about it.
This is one of the many things I have learned about myself over the past few years. Rather than staying in the thick of it, sometimes it's nice to just get out of the way, and let the madness pass. If I get off a busy train I do the same. Stand against a wall until the wave of people has passed, and then carry on. Difference is, working in an office, they just don't go away. They are there all day, and regardless of your mindset, you are stuck with it. Some days are better than others, but all days are exhausting.
Over the past three years I have become very comfortable with not having to deal with that environment, and for the past two and a half years I have worked hard to make my case for remaining working from home. I know the majority of the group would also prefer to work from home permanently, with one or two exceptions I am not sure about. However as time has gone on, the group case, and MY case have taken separate paths, to the point where I occasionally enquire about the group case, but with far less interest.
Conversations have taken place time and again. Some people being hopeful and positive, others siding with the doom and gloom of it being inevitable that we will return to the office. The sheer lack of voices when it came to having a say and making the case was enough for me to go my own way, rather than be a part of something that had no momentum. Of course, regardless of this lack of enthusiasm by the group, I do hope everyone gets what they deserve... Or should that be hoping for? You decide.
For the last year, I have discussed my case with numerous people in the company, eventually finding the core of people who I needed to speak to to try and get things sorted. Doctors, counsellors, occupational therapist, managers, HR and so on. I won't go on about it as the previous blogs have done all the detail and moaning already, but it has all come to THIS!
11.30 on Wednesday 15th I have a meeting with my manager and HR to "finalise" the arrangement.
Take that phrase any way you want, I have no idea of what exactly to expect, but obviously I am siding with positivity for my sanity sake. I think shortly after that time, all being well I will post a little update blog with what I have been told, and hopefully draw a thick black line under it all.
I am of course aware that it could go a number of ways, and not all of the variations end with me having cake and eating it. But, like I say, I can hope!
So, with 80's rock blasting in my office, I will leave you with that... Here's to midday on the 15th, and knowing the nitty gritty.