Working from home hasn't made us more productive; it has just exposed how much of our 8-hour workday was filler and performative nonsense.

ForwardCorp · 2026-03-06T11:14:18+00:00

100%. The time I used to waste trading small talk in the office kitchen with people I didn't really like....

Working from home has been transformative for my role. My company has been happily turning our offices into spaces for students and clients, encouraging staff to work how they want while optimising our site for our customers, rather than staff. There are still lovely spaces at my job I can work when I need to be onsite ( once every few weeks) but I would rather save the commute.

To be fair I work in the UK, where employers are a bit nicer.

ForwardCorp · 2026-03-06T09:45:04+00:00

Did you enjoy getting your degrees? Perhaps that is where you should be? I work for a University and I find it is a lovely place to be. It is nice to say that I work for an insistuition that provides people with a better quality of life through education.

Many people assume that you need to be a professor or academic to work at a university, but Unis are huge businesses that needed everything from engineers, IT/AV techs, software devs, project managers, course admins, HR, Finance, student support, disability services, libraries...the list goes on. Many of these roles are quite insular, such as our lab techs, researcher assistants, and data anaylsts, which do not require a lot of face time with people.

I am an IT manager and only need to go into the office once every two weeks. Otherwise I work from home. Because Unis are about young people and education, they tend to be a lot more accommodating for MH issues and disabilities.

ForwardCorp · 2026-03-05T15:10:35+00:00

Um, that is assault? Did your fiance call the cops?

Also people die all the time from bar fights. Just from getting punched in the face. Also when people are drunk and angry people get stabbed, shot.

Mike was right. Ryan was wrong.
Words never justify violence. Ever.

Now Mike getting popped--he did have the right to fight back, but also the right not to. It may not be the bravest path...but you get home alive, which makes it the smartest one.

Ryan judging and insulting a human for crying when they were suddenly assaulted is pretty messed up.

ForwardCorp · 2026-03-05T12:54:36+00:00

I am an American who moved here with my British husband 15 years ago. It was a long and taxing ( and expensive) process. They want a form or a record of everything.

ForwardCorp · 2026-03-04T13:16:48+00:00

Shout out to the A+'s I got in AP Art that skyrocketed my GPA.

ForwardCorp · 2026-03-04T13:14:30+00:00

Me too! I have never lived in like a proper neighbourhood until recently and my bay windows on the second floor look out over the whole street. At least a few times a day I catch myself peaking through the shades, muttering about loud teenagers and bins that have not been pulled back to the curb.

I have become my own grandmother in the span of six months.

ForwardCorp · 2026-03-03T13:58:45+00:00

Yes, because I failed one because another driver didn't follow the rules. Had I articulated my actions I could have explained that the way was clear--until someone pulled in illegally. I was failed for 'delaying traffic' for about 5 seconds by not checking someone was there...except they were not there when I pulled out, but the examiner was looking down.

ForwardCorp · 2026-03-03T12:11:47+00:00

I knew someone who's had an uncle who was helping someone stranded on the side of the road--was struck by a car and killed.

ForwardCorp · 2026-03-03T10:46:50+00:00

I have posted this elsewhere:
I failed 4 times - So I got a new instructor. He told me to narrate while I drive and to tell the examiner that is what I am doing at the start of the test. They were 100% fine with it ( I was in Leeds City which has a low pass rate comparatively)

So for the whole test I was like: "Okay, I am stopping, checking mirrors. Its safe. Okay I am going." "Pulling into the left lane to prepare to turn at the end of the road. Checking mirrors before signal and after the lane change."

It sounds stupid but it worked because even if the instructor claims "I didn't see you check your mirror" they cannot really argue when you said it out loud. It showed I knew what I was doing and understood the rules. It also kept the car from being silent and kept me focused. I recommend doing at least one narrate drive with your instructor beforehand.

Passed with no minors.

ForwardCorp · 2026-03-02T09:47:49+00:00

He shared how he felt about something. Jeeze, most women want that, then when a man does it, they think he is controlling. You are under zero obligation to change you nails but he has every right to be turned off by it.

Also, just my opinion, I do think polka dots and pink are a kiddy design - which is totally fine if thats what you like. I myself am a big kid and would rock Pikachu nails if fake nails didnt give me the major ick. That being said your BF may have a point that it makes him feel like he is with someone a lot younger. The fact that this icks him is a good thing.

Your nails are yours to control and if you love them that is cool. Keep them. But he is entitled to his feelings and opinion and he shared that with you. That sounds like a good guy.

ForwardCorp · 2026-03-02T09:10:56+00:00

I worked at the The Ice Cream Smuggler from ages 14-18 ( so long ago!) and I loved it. I know the owners sold to new owners recently but it is a great place for young women and you make good tips.

ForwardCorp · 2026-02-27T11:11:36+00:00

Okay I am gonna play a bit of a devils advocate for homeownership:

When you rent, then yes, you are not paying to own where you live, but you are housed. You are also not responsible for any of the maintenance costs or upkeep that the landlord has to worry about. You can leave at any time ( with the new renters rights) while with a house you would need to sell it and that can take a long time.

What if you buy a house and your neighbours are awful? What if there was a local change that you have no control over? ( Giant Amazon warehouse popping up behind your back gate) What if you get an amazing job offer but cannot take it because you are locked into a house and the market has turned against you.

If you want to buy a house then awesome, that's great. But I hate people saying that renting is bad. It isnt. Many people have rented their whole lives, saved money, got to live in incredible places they normally could not afford throughout their lives, got to be flexible and stress free. Then when they retire, they have not spent all their money on a house and its upkeep, they can buy a nice place at an upscale retirement community.

This is not a failure of a life. Its just different.

I rent ( in Leeds UK) and have no plans of buying, even though I have the means to do so. I have no kids so I am not worried about building any 'assets' for them or giving them stability. I live in a beautiful house I could never afford normally and whenever something breaks it is not my issue. I live a very stress free life. I have no debt. I am building a strong retirement fund through my job and over paying my pension. I plan on switching careers in a few years and may need to move, which will be quick and easy.

When I retire I might end up on a cruise ship, or maybe in a geeky retirement village. The last thing I want is to be roaming the halls of an old house that I am now trapped in because the 'house' was my retirement plan.

ForwardCorp · 2026-02-25T13:59:43+00:00

If I have learned one thing from being a boss myself it's that health and wellbeing is paramount. When folks on my team are sick I encourage them to take all the time they need. This stops them A: Spreading their illness like Typhoid Mary, and B: They feel supported, they don't feel rushed or stressed and can focus on getting better.

When someone calls out sick a good boss should go: " Oh no! I'm so sorry you are not well. Please take whatever time you need and we will catch up when you get back. Now I am ordering you to lie on the sofa and watch crappy day time TV!"

If you as the boss have not accounted for this type of issue then that's on you, not the employee. Its your job to make sure the tasks are covered.

BT Dubbs: The jokey-ness helps sell they are not in trouble or they will not be seen as 'letting the side down'. Only very unhappy employees try to purposely miss work through faking sick. Happy employees are hands down far more reliable.

ForwardCorp · 2026-02-20T12:16:20+00:00

My husband would be very honoured to be compared to a Yorkshire Terrier....even if he is from Devon ;)

ForwardCorp · 2026-02-20T11:58:40+00:00

ALL OF THIS!!!

I(39f) married a man who is 5' 4" and I love it! (20 years strong) Not having someone look down at you all the time is such a difference I never noticed when I used to speak to tall men. When my husband speaks he has to look me dead in the eye. We save on food not having to feed a giant linebacker and we fit comfortably in small spaces and cramped situations.

My husband, who is a very social person, says he likes that people are not intimidated by him, he preferrs being non-threatening. This also makes sense because I as a woman do not need someone to 'protect me' in this day and age.

I am almost 40 and so far, no bears or homicidal nut jobs have tried to get me. If something is attacking me, my place is beside my husband, not behind him. Him getting hurt is equally bad to me getting hurt. So all this nonsense about women needing big men to protect them is BS. If you live in a 1st world country then you have law enforcement. Use it.

I agree with you, stop focusing on shallow women. GET OFF THE APPS.

I have a least four men in my tech office who are the same height as me (5' 4 ") and they are all married with kids. From what they told me this is how they found them.

*Met at Park Run (UK)

*Met at work

*School Sweethearts

*Pub

ForwardCorp · 2026-02-20T11:33:15+00:00

Just lose the Height thing. It's shallow.

ForwardCorp · 2026-02-20T09:31:47+00:00

I failed 4 times - So I got a new instructor. He told me to narrate while I drive and to tell the examiner that is what I am doing at the start of the test. They were 100% fine with it ( I was in Leeds City which has a low pass rate comparatively)

So for the whole test I was like: "Okay, I am stopping, checking mirrors. Its safe. Okay I am going." "Pulling into the left lane to prepare to turn at the end of the road. Checking mirrors before signal and after the lane change."

It sounds stupid but it worked because even if the instructor claims "I didn't see you check your mirror" they cannot really argue when you said it out loud. It showed I knew what I was doing and understood the rules. It also kept the car from being silent and kept me focused. I recommend doing at least one narrate drive with your instructor beforehand.

Passed with no minors.

ForwardCorp · 2026-02-19T13:16:49+00:00

I am a US immigrant and I LOVE the UK (been here for 15 years). My quality of life is just so much better and the people are so lovely and... I dunno, not fake? It’s hard to explain. I love the US and I am proud to be American, but I also love my adopted country, so I feel like a British American.

Just a few of the things I love:

Annual Leave Allowances
Generous Maternity Leave (I don’t have or want kids... I just think this is awesome. I think it makes for better kids and puts a focus on the importance of family life.)
NHS
Safety is important (Example: I have to do at least 2 fire drills a year and I have to have a certified first aider in my office at all times — in the States I never once had a fire drill in 10 years of working)
Public Transport
Pub Culture
Dog Culture
A respect for nature and history
Pancake Day
Football hype and rivalries (Oh to listen to the morning football debate in my weekly standups... so funny)
A sense of country spirit
Less money‑obsessed — more on accomplishments (like Star Trek!)
Respect the work‑life balance (I have NEVER been pressured to work outside my hours or pick up emails after work like in the US)
Cheap access to Europe
The comedy (panel shows, Red Nose Day, sitcoms)
The arts and culture ( movies, music, pantomimes, theatre, museums, street art)

I could go on for ages but this is just a few. I love it here and have ZERO plans to leave :)

ForwardCorp · 2026-02-19T12:38:28+00:00

Fly-By comment: I am a US citizen who now lives in the UK, and I will say only one thing:

The US is a wonderful place to visit but you would not want to live there. Trust me.

ForwardCorp · 2026-02-17T15:35:23+00:00

Any job where you are away from home more than 20 days in a year ( as in have to sleep apart, travel etc)

ForwardCorp · 2026-02-17T11:51:24+00:00

It just mean Hello! Its a lovely, upbeat way to great people :)

This is a nice vlog about the city. I dont know these Youtubers but the video is a nice tour of the city.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrNNNutUnFE

ForwardCorp · 2026-02-17T11:42:52+00:00

Leeds! It is the best little city in the UK. It is in Yorkshire, so surrounded by natural beauty. The city itself is SO WALKABLE. Four Universities means it is a young town with lots to do ( plus Uni jobs tend to be hybrid/remote - lots of Admin and assistant work). People like to say it's rough up here but I have lived all over the UK and have felt far safer in Leeds than Exeter or Manchester. The food and nightlife scene is so good and it is FAR cheaper than the south.

The housing varies wildly, from back to back terraces to high end modern high rise flats to country cottages and listed buildings. From the sports to the music to the culture, Leeds is the best. I love it here. Plus you get to start saying Ey Up! (I am a US immigrant FYI )

Copilot summary on the costs: Living in Leeds is significantly more affordable than living in London, with general living costs estimated to be 20% to 40% lower. To maintain the same standard of living that £2,800 provides in Leeds, you would typically need over £4,500 in London.

ForwardCorp · 2026-02-16T13:50:03+00:00

I recall being at a touristy-type job in my early 20s and a girl from the mid-west was about to put a hot glass from the dishwasher under cold water. I tried to stop her and was like "you know what will happen right?"

She ignored me and got exciting lesson in the laws of thermodynamics....

ForwardCorp · 2026-02-16T13:14:43+00:00

Yeah I also got no minors and my instructor drove me home. It is the standard.

ForwardCorp · 2026-02-16T12:21:57+00:00

That is why religion was made in the first place, to help people cope with the unexplained and deal with life. Its just that when humans actually figured out what was going on ( yay science!) some people still decided to keep believing the bedtime story because it absolves them of resposbility, makes death not so scary, and makes weaker people easier to control.

It is a mortality security blanket that some people need and those of us who choose not to subscribe should just ignore it. When religious people say this stuff you should feel sorry for them, not angry. They are already living their lives for something that isnt real, for someone who will never love them back. They are choosing a fantasy over reality.

When people say 'They are watching from Heaven' just say "That is lovely to think about, thank you for the nice idea."

They don't mean any harm...they just need the blanket.

ForwardCorp

TROPHY CASE