First day back... and here is my observation (a story)

Before RTO--- I could wake up. Get my kids ready for school, drive them there, come back, pour myself a cup of coffee, and start my day. 7:30-8am tops.. I was more productive because I could start earlier and stay longer minus the commute, no distractions, I could easily get lunch, coffee or water, use my own restroom when I needed to, etc. You all get the point.

Now.... Today, I woke up way earlier than I needed to (not to mention the $hitty night's sleep I had due to the anticipated stressful day I knew was coming). Got my kid ready, then myself ready. Dusted off my backpack and packed my computer, headset, etc up.. Headed out the door, stepped in my gas-guzzling vehicle and headed the 25 miles into the office.

Upon arrival, park... finish my (now cold) coffee, grab my water and backpack and head in. Lo and behold, my badge doesn't work soooo I stand in now what is a 10 person deep line for security.

Upon making into the building finally, taking the elevator to my floor and wandering aimlessly around the floor for 10 minutes looking for my "neighborhood", I am surprised to see how full the floor was. A good thing right? Well, I looked at my watch and it was already after 9am so most people were already settled in... I was forced to take a seat on the main "highway" of the walkway area. Now, some of you pro-RTOs, let me address your concern---- Why didn't I go in last week when I could have and make sure everything was in order so my first actual day wasn't a $hitshow? Wow, glad you asked that, o children of Chuckie's way. Because my kids were on Spring Break and therefore home with me and I doubt it would be encouraged that I bring my kids in the office with me---but COVID miraculously went away according to the announcement a couple weeks ago and so did the vaccine mandate so they should be ok right? Oh and it shouldn't be a problem bringing in kids when others are working because Wells is so culturally diverse when it comes to those of us with children or elderly parents to care for... But I digress... Let's see... yes, after 9am....

I am now over 2 hours into my day and I have literally accomplished NOTHING. 0. Ziltch. At home, I would have been able to join the early call that was on my calendar, since my colleagues on the east coast couldn't give a rat's @ss about the time difference here in the west coast, and I would be on my 2nd cup of coffee...... Oh $hit... Coffee... I gotta find the damned breakroom now..... So up I go again..

Walk into the breakroom, and wouldn't you know it... Coffee is gone and carafe is bonedry on the burner. Ohhh yes. We are back in the office again and the courteous coffee creatures who take the last cup and not make more are showing their old ways again. "You ki-l the Joe. You make some mo'!"... No? You know, for a company that is preaching safety in the workplace, you would think they would limit the things we all had to touch. In my old office, it was a big Keurig-kind of industrial thing for a single serve cup. Why do they still have the same carafes when I started my office career back in 1995... Ohhh that's right... Because Wells is still behind the 8 ball on progressiveness.... But let's not split hairs on this one-- coffee is a creature comfort, so I guess another 5 minutes burning my day away so I can make some coffee can't hurt. He-l I am already well over 2 hours into unproductive day, why the he-l not?.... What's that? Ohhh why didn't I get some at home? Well, I already drank the cup I had if you were paying attention earlier, thank you, and I am used to at least 2-3 before I am calling the caffeine god quits for the day.... and hey, I said its a creature comfort---but what the he-l, I am already burning time, why not wait 5 more?....

So now with hot coffee in hand, I sit down and plug into the docking station and f*** around with the monitor settings for another 5 minutes... Thankfully a guy behind me (sorry to be assuming.. ahem, PERSON behind me), who I didn't recognize helped me remedy this situation... Its now about 9:30 and I am starting my day officially.. Oh but then here comes a few people I know to chat about my last 2 years, my kids, how are they doing now/in the pandemic/with home schooling (yeah that was fun), wow I am a brunette now and not a blonde, ge-z isn't it getting hot quickly now... I mean, I can't turn her away right? THAT'S COLLABORATING YOU SILLY GOOSES!!

I eventually get to work, and while in grindmode, am startled with the harsh reality that I need to consider leaving because I have to get my kids from school, but I need to add my commute to that....... Oh children of Charlie, I really wish you wouldn't interrupt my story... Yes, I thought of childcare, but it doesn't really work for me since I am a single parent and the cost alone is not something I can afford on my meager salary... What was that? What did I do before the pandemic? Well, my kids were in daycare and I was married at the time. Now, whole new ball of wax if you need to know....What? But there are other options???? You don't say.... My, you are being awful helpful because as a parent of a small child, I can't think of that first... You are right. Maybe I should leave my car keys at school for my kids and the oldest at the ripe age of 8 can drive him and his sister home after school... But wait.. How would I get to work??? Talk to my manager, you say? Hmmm.. Good idea, didn't work.. You see--and I am going to lose a few of you here----parents or people with elderly they care for--- aren't exactly in the "protected class" in Wells Fargo.... In fact, our D&I is only focused at ensuring "Pat" can feel safe identifying as a female one day then a man the next, female leadership, LGBTQABCDEFG, and trying desperately to pander to our black colleagues because of the slip of the racist tongue of Charles in Charge a few years back.. You see.... Charles has his plate full, people. He has NOOOOO room for us lowly parents or caregivers to the elderly. Chuckie baby now has a "one-size-fits-all" approach to RTO, and my management is along with that. On top of it, let's not forget Chuckie doesn't have little kids anymore, and if he did, they sure wouldn't be going to the school you and I's kids are going to. Nope.. There is no trust. No "do what you need to do as long as the job is done" for us caregivers. No consideration. We not a protected class. We have to "figure it out".....after all, it's our fault we had kids right? How dare we?

All in all people, I have probably 2 to 3 hours of productive "work" today..... at home.... Never would be the case. Now my day will be longer tomorrow to make up for the $hit I didn't get to today. Maybe its a learning curve. Maybe I will get use to it..... or maybe, if this BS establishment isn't going to give me any flexibility, I will find one that will. We need to get rid of this archaic way of how our work is done. Give people the choice to WFH or RTO. Incentivize the RTO, I don't care. For me, I will take my quiet office in my house with my already-made coffee and no Karen asking me how my world has been so I can continue to make a paycheck... Thanks for sticking with me this far.... After this day, I need a drink and a hot bath......

Comment! It's anonymous!

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Great post! Here’s a tip for all: I’ve already started declining meetings during my commute. Sorry, I can’t focus on a detailed discussion and drive. Before anyone gets too superior about this, no one can. Multitasking is a false thing. You only think you can focus on two tasks at once.

Exactly! Well said!

@1wtn+1g6axokf
Female, yes. She said it clearly in her OP post.!!

"In fact, our D&I is only focused at ensuring "Pat" can feel safe identifying as a female one day then a man the next, female leadership, LGBTQABCDEFG, and trying desperately to pander to our black colleagues because of the slip of the racist tongue of Charles in Charge a few years back."

My money's on your being a SWF.

@1vwn+1g6axokf - I hope you are not serious. The OP literally complained about the same thing you are trying to call them out for...yet on a forum where you could have easily scrolled past without reading. If you don't need a rundown of someone's day, why did you read a post titled "First day back... and here is my observation (a story)"???

@1spr+1g6axokf
Our situation is the same - busses will only transport kids who live outside city limits in rural areas, unless you pay $3600 a year for a special pickup.

Oh my! You talk too much and people like you are the number one reason I'm dreading rto. I don't need a rundown of your daily experience of getting ready for work to know that rto takes a lot of adjustment. I have a coworker who rants just like you and would constantly stop by my desk with monologues about how our department sucks. Newsflash lady I already know that I'm just trying to get through the day and go home.

"When I was 5 I started taking the bus to/from school, and I'm thankful to my parents that I got the opportunity to do that. No better time to start developing into an independent and capable person. These days some parents take their kid to school until they graduate, it's crazy. Not saying that's you OP, just saying. Anyway, we agree completely on one thing: FRTO."

I would LOVE to put my kids on a bus, but there isn't one because we live within a mile of school. Not everybody has the same situation. Get over yourself.

Weak and poor life decisions.

Clearly, you're a straight white female.

@1woa they're trying to, but whiteys keep bi-----g about their loss of privilege.

kids were on spring break last week? how about put them in camp. that's what I did. what are your plans for summer?

Diverse people are not your enemies. The people who create divisiveness in the name of DE&I are your enemies.

Why can't they just treat everyone equal...? Instead of always favoring this group or that group.

Agree, RTO is bad for everyone. Having kids shouldn't be the sole reason you get the good work arrangement while everyone that chooses not to have children, or who are unable to do so, gets the shaft in order to facilitate it. Should be WFH for all, presuming it's compatible with the role.

I disagree with RTO, but not as much as I disagree with all 5000 words of this post. Sigh. You don’t need excuses or explanations. WFH, if preferred by the team member, should be allowed. End of story.

Op, I was with you until you felt the need to attack other people. I agree that people with children/elderly to care for need more flexibility, but that didn't need to come at the expense of minorities. Your derisive comments are hurtful. We're not your enemies.

It is best not to get divorced.

They have good meds for delirious people like you.

Wow thank you for sharing and making the experience relatable!

Can't believe all the hatred. I thought this was hilarious and can relate to most of it. My first couple days were so bad I'm not going back in...they can fire me.
And for all those that like to regurgitate "but what did you do before covid...", I was remote before like thousands of others.

I mean this in the nicest way possible.

OP you sound miserable, find a new job that fits your changed circumstances better for you than this one. Never rely on your employer to give you special accommodations/treatment for a change in circumstances that doesn’t come with a medical professional supporting that accommodation/special treatment in writing.

Good luck.

I get most of this. The complaint about D&I was gratuitous. That's not the source of the problem here. 90% agree, 10% not.

When I was 5 I started taking the bus to/from school, and I'm thankful to my parents that I got the opportunity to do that. No better time to start developing into an independent and capable person. These days some parents take their kid to school until they graduate, it's crazy. Not saying that's you OP, just saying. Anyway, we agree completely on one thing: FRTO.

So, you should have checked your badge access before the day you needed to come in and maybe buy a Yeti type cup. There, your life decisions are settled

Wow, some haters on these comments. OP said it was a story, so if its too long, don't read it. I had a chuckle or two on this. I can sense the person's frustration, but their try for humor on it. Maybe the person that shared this finally had a chance to breathe for the day and post their frustration? Nice of some of you to be inclusive. If the OP said they were a g-y person with kids, would you feel any different? Probably. If you aren't understanding, then move on I guess. I myself have a son, and I find it offensive people without kids say we use our kids as shields. What a sh---y thing to say. Go sit in your car with your mask on while the adults talk...

You didn’t mention dropping your kids at school. Hope they didn’t spend the day in the car. The days are getting hotter.

West coast, I think I know who wrote this!

“ Got my kid ready, then myself ready. Dusted off my backpack and packed my computer, headset, etc up.. ”

Why didn’t you have your stuff packed up the night before? I always have my stuff packed up and ready to grab and walk out the door in the morning.

Got bored with the story shortly after this paragraph.

Thank you for sharing your story. All of us have different personal situations but we all share a sense of disbelief at our leaders’ irrational mandates. Frankly it is hard for me to take WF’s efforts to transform and be more efficient seriously. Because if they were serious about that, they wouldn’t force us into inefficiency through RTO. And they would not want all the swirl around the topic of RTO. Wouldn’t they rather we be doing work rather than trudging in the office to spend time complaining about it once we got there??

You have time to post this rant, yet you claim to be so pressed for time…

Thread regarding Wells Fargo & Co. layoffs

First day back... and here is my observation (a story)

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