“So what are we doing today, Little one?”
“Friday? Lovely sunshine? 98 degrees? Absolutely nothing but relax and stay cool..”
“I can handle that.”
Here we are on a Friday again. It is so nice to head into a weekend. I hope your week wasn’t too stressful. If it was, then you are only eight hours until relief.
I went to the dentist today. My teeth had not been cleaned since October of 2019. I was scheduled for one in April of 2020, but we all know what happened. I was rescheduled for September 2020 but canceled. I finally showed up today, and it was fine. The good news was the hygienist and dentist were surprised I hadn’t been cleaned for 21 months—the power of wine.
There has been a lot of talk about employers wanting employees to return to the office. But are employees ready to return?
NBC News has reported, and I quote, “a survey released in April by the American Psychological Association found that 49 percent of adults feel uneasy about returning to in-person interactions once the pandemic is over. Vaccination status did not affect that: 48 percent of those who have already been vaccinated say they, too, feel uncomfortable with in-person interactions.”
So this means folks would like to take more time at home, and hopefully, companies will be able to accommodate them. FlexJobs, which surveyed more than 2,100 people who have been working remotely during the pandemic, found that 58 % would quit if they were forced to return to the office. This has to be a wake-up call for companies.
The suggestion is companies take a slow approach and keep alternatives open for those who aren’t ready to return. How about you? Any desire to return to the office?
Today’s JohnKu talks about a return to the status quo. I hope you have an enjoyable weekend.
Normal by John W.Howell © 2021
Pandemic concerns,
Are in the rearview mirror . . .
What is your normal?
Fiction Favorites 
Seeing as I am having trouble finding anything at the moment, my normal must have gone for a long walk!
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🤣 Good one Jaye.
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I’ve been back in the office since April 12. I trust the vaccine, so I’m okay being back with my coworkers. It has been great seeing everyone again, but I’m not enjoying the commute. My stress level was much lower while working from home. So the wine kept your teeth clean?😉
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Maybe it was the tequila. Seriously I think it was flossing and sonic care toothbrush. 😊
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Lol!😉
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😁
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I have worked for myself, from home, for the last 20 years, so I felt incredibly fortunate when the pandemic hit to have my safe haven already established. Did the 2 hour commute back and forth to Boston for a time…so glad such things are in my rear view mirror. I LOVE the freedom and flexibility of working from home…would never go back to a conventional work environment. And I, too, am curious about the connection between wine and clean teeth. Do tell!
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On the wine, I was kidding. I have a flossing and sonic tooth brush routine that works for me. Glad you have your haven, Lori.
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Damn. Was hoping for a new argument to support my happy hour habit. 😂 That said, I also have very good luck with my electric toothbrush….
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Yeah, it would be a good thing if in fact wine helped. Thanks, Lori.
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My coworkers and I are struggling a mandate to return to campus. Our division is 100% online.
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So y’all going back if ordered?
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Some will, some won’t. I was hired to be remote, with travel to campus once a month or so. Everyone is in wait-and-see mode at the moment.
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Has to be hard on everyone.
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Twiggy in the sunshine means that Friday is here. Thanks God, I have never worked in an office, dear John &…will never do. That’s the hell for me! I prefer an independent style of working though now during the corona crises it strikes hard financially…But things change, so I hope the situation will become better soon. Happy Friday & sunshine week-end!😁😁😁🍸🍸
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With the pandemic on the wane let’s hope things become much better soon. Happy Friday to you, Dear Maria. 🥂🌹
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Ha! I never left my ‘office.’ I’ve always appreciated the freedom my situation offers, despite the occasional difficulties, but I never expected the freedom to keep working in the midst of a pandemic to be one of its advantages!
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That is an unexpected advantage. Thanks for sharing, Linda. 😊
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haha, I haven’t been to the office in eleven years. I’m sure they’ve forgotten about me by now!
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It has been ten for me and I think the same. 😁
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No one told me wine was good for the teeth. Now I have an excuse! Thanks, John.
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There you go. The 6:00 AM gargle takes a bit of getting used to.😁
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I feel like I’m up for the challenge.🍷
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Hahahaha. 🤣
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I wouldn’t call the pandemic over, not by a long shot. However, there are big improvements all over. Our office is still closed (except for me… 😒) but only a few come in on days now and again. They are talking about rolling out the way it was when I started – half staff so people work in the office only two days per week on alternating days – some time in the next month. Hopefully I will be gone by then doing a better job.
A lot of companies came to the conclusion that they can actually trust their employees to work from home so are reducing their office spaces to accommodate. It’s been and will continue to be interesting to see what lies ahead!
Happy Friday, John!
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my daughter works from home and is as dedicated as can be. I’m not sure if she is in the minority of not. It will be interesting to see what happens. 😁
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I know that various studies have come out as a result of this pandammit and companies are surprised at just how productive their employees are from home. I’m sure there are those who loaf, but if treated fairly, an employee will do his/her/they 😉 part
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I think you make a good point about fairness. A very strong motivator. 😊
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I say that because when you work for a micro-manager, you are never left to your own creativity so your motivation to put your energies into doing your best get somewhat lethargic.
Which is where I am right now, unfortunately. The job search is back on.
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Best of luck on the search, Dale. 😁
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Thank you, kind sir!
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😁
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I’ve been in-person since September, but schools work differently. I think a big factor is that many people realized they could do their work from home with less stress and equal or more productivity. That realization changes the dynamic a lot.
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I think it productivity is pretty much an individual situation. Some need supervision and some don’t. Thanks, Charles.
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True. Though, I’ve had some jobs where the supervision is abusive. Always told you’re not meeting expectations. Manager silently appears in the cubicle entrance and waits for you to take a break before coughing. I don’t miss those times.
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I worked in a call center during a strike and saw the worst in management. I outranked them by three levels and they could care less. When the strike was over there were some serious reforms put in place.
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I don’t doubt it. I was reading about narcissism in management yesterday for an August blog post. It’s amazing how often it occurs.
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I have met so many I can’t tell you. it is hell working for them.
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I’m glad to be retired and removed from the situation. Fully remote might work, but has its drawbacks. Hybrid for the whole company/department might work, but hybrid where some people are in office some are remote is problematic. Supporting remote coworkers while most of the staff is in the office, is difficult. At least that was my experience.
Stay cool this weekend, John.
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I used to love a work at home day now and then. With no one wandering into my office I got a lot done. You are right, support of remote workers can be difficult especially from an IT standpoint. Stay cool as well, Dan.
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I always knew that wine I drank was good for something. I work in healthcare and still wear a mask (as required), but most of the patients coming in are fine going maskless. It’s an option in our state now. My oldest son has been working at home since this all began and he’d prefer it. The youngest is at the workplace and has no worries. Have a great weekend, John!
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Thanks for your comments, Teri. I think as long as company’s communicate with and get feedback from the workers everything should turn out okay. Have a super weekend.
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Don’t remind me – the last time I saw my dentist was about the same time you did!
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Makes one worry, right?
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I will second the not over comment. The tide may be falling. Until vaccination reaches higher levels and until infection rates takes a steep decline we just might want to hang onto the oars and remain in the lifeboat. And despite the benefits of the vaccine those who fall into the marginal statistic of not acquiring protection from the vaccine can still end up on a ventilator and worse. And the rest of the world is still largely a very active petri dish. Their vaccination levels are considerably lower. To repeat the amusement park warning ‘please remain in the vehicle until the ride comes to a full and complete stop.’ Happy Friday and happy weekend !
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Excellent observations and advice, John. Also keep your hands inside the vehicle and wash them a lot.
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Working from home brought its own level of stress. I always tried to evaluate workers on productivity rather than if I see them looking at a cell device. I think working from home is functional and companies would be well advised to allow for it. Hard to put that genie back in the bottle.
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I agree. You would think companies would want to get rid of the office overhead. This would be a perfect way. I guess in the end reason will prevail. Thanks for your comments, Craig.
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I’m blessed to have called my home my office for the past two decades! Other than the downturn in business because of the pandemic, I never missed a step. Not sure I’d want to go back to working among people, even after the vaccine. Lovely JohnKu — happy Friday, indeed!
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Thank you, Debbie. I agree on wanting to be among people. Just doesn’t seem safe yet. Thanks for the comments. 😊 Have a super weekend.
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Interesting stats there, John. I would sooner go to the grave than return to the office.
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One could lead to the other for sure. Thanks, Guy. Have a terrific weekend. 😊
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What an interesting response to the survey, John, but I can understand it. Folks have gotten accustomed to working in their sweatpants and not fighting traffic. As long as the production is up, I don’t see why employers would force the employees to return. Great JohnKu! We hope it’s in the rearview!! Happy Friday!
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Thank you, Jan. I hope the same about COVID. It will be interesting to see what companies do about remote employees. Habe a super weekend 😊
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It’s been a strange return to “normal,” John. I still wear a mask most of the time and am trying to “lighten up” since I and my family have mostly been vaccinated. My parents live in senior housing and the place did a great job of keeping everyone safe during the pandemic. Now that it’s almost over, they’re having their first major outbreak among the non-vaccinated residents. I think once my grandson (age 8) is vaccinated, I’ll feel a lot freer to socialize. 🙂
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It comes down to taking care of oneself not matter what has to be done. Thanks for sharing, Diana.
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The power of wine made me smile, John! White wine? 🙂 I’ve been working in the office since the beginning of Covid, but I only work with 2 other employees and there’s more than 6 feet in between each of us. We’re all vaccinated now too. My husband is in a similar work environment. So, we’ve both been very lucky through this whole pandemic. But I can understand how some people would feel reluctant to return to the office. Even though CA is “open” now, some businesses still require masks, and even though we’re vaccinated, we’re still not ready to shed the mask in some indoor situations. It’s probably going to be a slow stroll to “normal.” Enjoy your weekend!
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I think you hit it right, lauren. A slow stroll. 😁
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Interesting. I have been back full-time in my office working since May 25, 2020. Yes, 2020. We were closed exactly 2 months, working remotely during that time.Since then, we have operated in person (we were deemed an essential business) and had no problems adapting. Granted we have a very small staff with the bulk of our workforce sub-contractors who continued to work remotely. Since the vaccine, even our sub-contractors are back in the office. For us, it’s business as usual.
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Looks like you won’t have to adjust then. That is a good thing. Thanks, Mae.
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“The power of wine.” Love it.
I only worked from home for five weeks last year and I hated it. I was never so glad to get back to the office.
Here’s hoping you have a good weekend, John.
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Thank you, Joan. I’m glad your time working at home was brief. Have a good weekend too.
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Things are getting back to normal in a lot of ways. We’ve flown twice since we got vaccinated, and the difference in the number of people in the airports in a month was astounding. Last week reminded me of pre-pandemic times.
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Yeah, it is amazing, Pete.
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We’ve seen how this pandemic has already affected so many people in so many different ways. Business is constantly evolving without a pandemic, so you can imagine what the last year and a half has wrought. But you’re right, I think the companies who adapt best will bear the fruit.
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You are a wise man, Pilgrim.
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You’re going to make me blush.
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You look good in pink.
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Don’t tell anybody.
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Secret is safe
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Some people are more productive at home; others need that interaction. Companies will have to adjust to profit needs and people needs. Happy to be retired at home. I have a dental check next month – last one was a year ago. I hope my wine drinking and flossing pay off too. Have a good weekend, John!
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I hope the wine and flossing work for you too, Jo. Have a great weekend
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I’m happy to be in the classroom and skipping all those Zooms.
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I’ll bet
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😀
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[…] Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF […]
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Thank you for the link
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Hi John, I’ve been back in the library for a year now. We have had many precautions and, except for the early days when patrons were still figuring out their masks, I have felt safe. We are just beginning to think about removing our masks at work (I still wear mine, but a couple people have stopped). I think we will all regain our confidence over time.
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I’m glad you are still wearing yours, Barbara. 😁
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