The dust has settled on the New Year and the world has returned to normal, although I question any world that considers itself normal when people who refuse to return to their workplace can claim they are ‘working from home’ when they’re noodling around on their laptop in a beach bar in Tenerife or sat on their sofas watching the triple threat of Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women.
If any TV shows need ‘trigger warnings’ it’s that trio of visual white noise, because after watching them, anyone owning a shotgun might be tempted to point it at their TV and pull the trigger.
Covid was a terrible time, but many office staff, forced to work at home, enjoyed their respite from the daily commute so much that they continued doing so after they were told to return to work . . . and many still haven’t gone back.
If you’ve ever been in central London during the morning and evening rush hour, you’ll know it can be hellish trying to get on already full-to-capacity buses or attempting to board a tube train so uncomfortably packed that even a sardine would hesitate to try and squeeze into a carriage.
I can understand why many workers in the City of London or the West End would prefer to avoid those experiences, but don’t really understand why so many office workers ‘H’yer in Wales’ continue working from home.
I’m well aware that while the daily commute is less stressful compared to what the millions who pour into London endure, Welsh commuters often wait for buses and trains that are late or don’t arrive.
And commuters driving in and out of Wales every day get snarled up in motorway jams.
But going to work has always involved some sort of journey, even if it’s walking or cycling.
That’s why it’s called ‘Going To Work!’
In an office environment, you interact with and learn from your colleagues.
If they have problems you share them.
Local cafes, sandwich shops and newsagents do well.
Towns and cities thrive.
So, come on folks!
Switch off Lorraine and get into the office!
Phil Evans,
c/o Rick’s Café American,
Casablanca,
North Africa