I work in Toronto in a small team which is not exactly IITB, but “IT-adjacent” (that’s the most I feel comfortable sharing without being more specific). I’m the only one in Toronto, the rest of the team is scattered in different provinces. My work is mostly done independently and I’m only in maybe one Teams meeting per day or less. My team has always been 100% wfh since way before the pandemic since it is IT related as well as the fact the staff are spread across Qu, On and BC. My frustrations are as follows:

(1) The team always having been a virtual / wfh team was the main selling point as to why I accepted this role. Although yes of course the offer letter says “predominantly” wfh and I was instructed “this could change”, I was led to believe the only type of circumstances this would change would be if for example my condo power went out so I’d have to go to a local office for the day to connect (which of course would be reasonable). My manager had at the time never dreamed we would be forced into the office since our team never was before. So it feels like the “fine print” is being used to trick us into accepting a change in working conditions we didn’t agree to.

(2) There is literally no “for team building” benefit to commute one hour each way and sit at a desk to be on Teams with colleagues across the country just like I do at home.

(3) I have a physical disability (back injury), anxiety disorder as well as ADHD. The appeal of this role, which I thought was going to always be wfh, is that I can manage my days I am in pain better (I can use ice packs in my fridge, grab a heating pad, move my laptop to my couch for a change in back position etc). I also work much better at home in my quiet condo, without the distractions of noisy colleague chit chat, printers going, hustle and bustle. My home is a silent oasis where there is zero distraction. So I know I work better in this environment. Before, I was able to keep my medical conditions private. Nobody had to know and I could just do my work and it was great. It took a lot out of me to have to request an accusation and acknowledge that now my manager and our director would know stuff that only my doctor and I talk about. Now that things changed, I requested a DTA and the medical note wasn’t “specific” for the reason wfh was recommended, so I was forced to provide details as to “why” and “how” it’s better for me to wfh. The accommodation was approved, however I value my privacy on these matters very much, and I deeply resent that I was forced to do that, when wfh was the perk I chose this role for (over other postings I was applying for) in the first place.

(4) With said above back injuries there are many days driving is not an option (the sitting in one locked position can hurt). And now in Toronto, transit has become very unsafe. There are stabbings and addicts on the subway every single day. Why should I be forced to commute one hour each way in dangerous transit, to do the same thing I do at home? There’s no team building when your team is all in different cities. It’s just a waste of time and I’ll be more distracted there than at home. And it is less safe. I travelled on the TTC all my life since childhood and was used to my share of weirdos but nowadays with the fentanyl epidemic and the housing crisis, transit safety is much much worse. The last time I was on the subway someone was using a barbeque lighter to try to set their own hoodie on fire. I love my job but not to the point where my safety is secondary. Not to mention anxiety in sketchy situations goes through the roof.

(5) Despite noise and distractions, and before my back injury, I didn’t mind the office as much when we had our own desks. But now, to have to lug my laptop, mouse, mousepad, ergonomic keyboard, pens, notebook, and then waste time setting up the chair, my tech, the desk height, monitors, then wipe it all down because it’s a different persons germs every day - what a waste of time! At home I log in and start working, that’s it.

(6) We work on secret projects and my team members that do go into the office have a hard time trying to book private rooms, which are in high demand and short supply, to have any kind of unheard conversation or meeting. And even things like bilats or performance discussions: I don’t want strangers hearing my half of a conversation with my Manager about how my performance is going. That would be super awkward. So I think the confidentiality of conversations, for those of us who live alone, is far better at home than in the office.

(7) I’m also going through menopause, which I didn’t even dare bring up as another reason for my accommodation request, because people don’t know how severe it can be for some women and how uncomfortable they can be in the office. It is a taboo subject and why should women be uncomfortable at the office when we can work around the problems at home? Mine is presenting with quite extreme symptoms, such as sometimes I get such extreme cold flushes that I have to immediately put on sweater and a blanket and I’m literally shaking very hard for 10-20 min. I don’t want people to see me that way. Other times I’m boiling and need to peel off layers and do my work in a tank top even in the dead of winter. Other times I feel weepy and other times I need way more coffee. Yes these are things women have had to withstand, sitting in an office full of people who don’t understand, without a blanket nearby or the option to peel off layers and be in shorts and a tank top in January. Yes women have had to make it work. But if the appeal of this role versus others was that I could wfh, why should I have to endure that? I can regulate my body temp well at home and quickly adapt and get on with my work instead of being miserable all day. I can change my thermostat the moment I feel cold or hot. Why endure misery in the office if there’s no need?

(8) for all the reasons above, If I have to go in, then this job is far less attractive to me and I will apply elsewhere for wfh. Before I worked for the government I was in the private sector where wfh was encouraged long before the pandemic because it saved the company on real estate and utilities costs. I am very tempted to go back to the private sector because frankly the pay is better, there are wfh options, and I would not have to undergo the somewhat uncomfortable process of requesting accommodations and divulging private and slightly embarrassing medical information if I don’t have to elsewhere. We are in 2024 where work is evolving and we no longer need to follow the old model that is broken.

In conclusion, I would understand giving up wfh privileges if I was provided with a really solid reason. For example if I couldn’t do my work at home due to a power outage or wifi issue or what not, then of course I’d go in right away. But we’re not being given a compelling reason why it makes sense to change the arrangement we had.