# Poll: Are you working from home due to Coronavirus? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [March 16, 2020, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-are-you-working-from-home-due-to-coronavirus/849563 "2020-03-16T05:30:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-are-you-working-from-home-due-to-coronavirus/849563/21 "2020-03-16T13:34:59Z")
I work for a big city, and while they’ve made sure that we all have our VPN and what-not set up for working from home, the word hasn’t come down officially to work from home yet. So we’re all here at OCP headquarters so far. I expect that to change within the week though as more cases get announced in our county and state. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Mapp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miss_mapp/32/369_2.png) [@Miss\_Mapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Mapp)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-are-you-working-from-home-due-to-coronavirus/849563/22 "2020-03-16T13:47:25Z")
This morning, we were told to work from home until the end of the month. ETA: I’m a Federal contractor, a website manager for an HHS site. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-are-you-working-from-home-due-to-coronavirus/849563/23 "2020-03-16T13:53:52Z")
We’ve just started an optional work from home policy. I’m doing so today, but will go in tomorrow as access to the server is slow with everyone logging on remotely and I need some big files. (Design agency in Bristol, UK, for the record). ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-are-you-working-from-home-due-to-coronavirus/849563/24 "2020-03-16T14:06:34Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > Federal employees are now (starting 3/16) encouraged to work remotely to the extent possible. For me that is 100%, so that is what i am doing. I’d prefer to go to the office, but we all have to make sacrifices. Same here. I just took the basic training on teleworking (mostly stuff I already knew) and made arrangements with my supervisor (some initial confusion over him not having gotten all the memos, but he was OK with the idea once that was cleared up). I suspect it will change to “mandatory for everyone capable of telework” soon (the telework basic training was mandatory for everyone who didn’t already have it, whether or not they planned to use it). ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-are-you-working-from-home-due-to-coronavirus/849563/25 "2020-03-16T14:28:46Z")
Everyone who is now working from home… Why haven’t you always worked from home if it is possible to do so? My job cannot be done from home, so I really don’t get it. Will a percentage of Americans never return to work and continue working from home after this crisis? ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-are-you-working-from-home-due-to-coronavirus/849563/26 "2020-03-16T14:28:47Z")
My boss just told me that, if I need to work from home or otherwise make allowances, to let him know and it’ll all be good. That said, I’m currently working at my desk since the primary reason why he offered was because the schools are all shut down and I have a 3rd grader – but he’s still with his sitter for the time being. > [@kayaker](#): > > Everyone who is now working from home… > > Why haven’t you always worked from home if it is possible to do so? My job cannot be done from home, so I really don’t get it. Will a percentage of Americans never return to work and continue working from home after this crisis? My job can sort of be done from home but not really conveniently. There’s parts that I can do from home and parts where I need to go over things with others or have access to tools in the office and there isn’t a real clear dividing line. I basically need to stock up on “at home” work and it’s still less productive overall than a standard day. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-are-you-working-from-home-due-to-coronavirus/849563/27 "2020-03-16T14:35:08Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Everyone who is now working from home… > > Why haven’t you always worked from home if it is possible to do so? My job cannot be done from home, so I really don’t get it. Will a percentage of Americans never return to work and continue working from home after this crisis? In some businesses there is a high value placed on being present. I’ve worked for those firms where if you aren’t sitting at your desk you’re assumed to be screwing off. There seems to be a high correlation to companies that also locked down the internet. It won’t surprise me particularly in a long shut down (8 weeks the cdc has started mentioning) that these business will start looking at work product and it won’t surprise me if many of them look around and realize they are wasting money on office space. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-are-you-working-from-home-due-to-coronavirus/849563/28 "2020-03-16T14:45:37Z")
I’m retired, and the caregiver for my toddler granddaughter while her parents work. Her mother (my daughter) is a teacher, and after a meeting at school today, she’ll be staying home and doing on-line teaching. Her father (my SIL) works at the local Navy base and so far, he’s still going to work. My husband is self-employed, and he spends most of the days in his office on his computer, doing engineering analysis. The last place I worked before retirement is still working as usual. In my old group, apart from me, everyone was well under 60. Work from home would be close to impossible as it is an engineering group and they spend a lot of time running from their desks to the production floor as manufacturing progresses. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-are-you-working-from-home-due-to-coronavirus/849563/29 "2020-03-16T14:54:27Z")
I don’t know yet. The university is doing all online classes, but I _think_ staff will be expected to show up. Spring Break has been extended two days though, so things will only resume Wednesday, and the governor just issued the closure of public schools for three weeks, so the university administration might reassess at any moment. Also, I’m a professional tutor, but most of the tutors are students, and, I assume, have gone “home”, so I’ll check with my supervisor some time tomorrow if I haven’t heard anything before then. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-are-you-working-from-home-due-to-coronavirus/849563/30 "2020-03-16T14:54:27Z")
I’m in the office right now, grabbing my laptop and my desktop computer to take home. My wife also went into her office, to grab a few final things she needs. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-are-you-working-from-home-due-to-coronavirus/849563/31 "2020-03-16T14:58:19Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > You left out a big category. I have a job that can not be done from home. Me too. It’s impossible for me to work from home. The company now requires telecommuting for those who can, but most of us can’t. I used to split childcare with my spouse, but they’ll be doing school and work from home now. So now I’ll be working 12-hour shifts until the factory shuts down. Make hay while the sun shines. At least there’s little traffic on the road now. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-are-you-working-from-home-due-to-coronavirus/849563/32 "2020-03-16T14:59:19Z")
Not sure if it’s truly mandatory but I’m working from home. The company and the state have told us to work from home if you’re not critical, and I’m not. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-are-you-working-from-home-due-to-coronavirus/849563/33 "2020-03-16T14:59:42Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Everyone who is now working from home… > > Why haven’t you always worked from home if it is possible to do so? My job cannot be done from home, so I really don’t get it. Will a percentage of Americans never return to work and continue working from home after this crisis? My jobs can be done from home in a pinch, even a long pinch, but it’s not sustainable. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-are-you-working-from-home-due-to-coronavirus/849563/34 "2020-03-16T15:03:04Z")
We told our employees to work from home as much as possible. It’s nice and quiet in the office this morning. Personally, I’ll probably work from home 50% of the time over the next few weeks. As for why I don’t always do it, two main reasons. 1) I’m more productive away from home and 2) I have a better set up in the office. The commute is short and I like to get out of the house now and then. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-are-you-working-from-home-due-to-coronavirus/849563/35 "2020-03-16T15:05:06Z")
Been working from home exclusively for over a year now anyway. My wife had to go in once a week for her job, but they are letting her stay home til this blows over. ---
**Author:** ![PaperBlob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/58956e/32.png) [@PaperBlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaperBlob)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-are-you-working-from-home-due-to-coronavirus/849563/36 "2020-03-16T15:20:00Z")
For me and most of my co-workers, working from home is not an option, since we do our work on classified computer systems. So we are just coming in to work and distancing ourselves from each other the best we can. It’s not too hard, since we’re software developers and mostly work alone at our desks anyway. The company has put a lot more hand sanitizer stations around the building, and has put a huge tub of disinfecting wipes in our cafe and in every coffee mess. Door handles, counters, microwaves, fridges, etc. are being disinfected every night by the cleaning staff. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-are-you-working-from-home-due-to-coronavirus/849563/37 "2020-03-16T15:30:35Z")
I voted that it’s mandatory. That’s not EXACTLY true - it is just very strongly encouraged, but they haven’t locked the doors. It’s the closest answer, though. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-are-you-working-from-home-due-to-coronavirus/849563/38 "2020-03-16T15:44:23Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Everyone who is now working from home… > > Why haven’t you always worked from home if it is possible to do so? I’m much more productive in the office. A lot of work is easier to do face to face. Better facilities there for my job. I already work remotely to a large number of our teams in Virginia and India, so keeping close contact with the group here is good for team building and morale. I like getting out of the house. There’s a gym at the office. All good reasons, but the main one is the productivity. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-are-you-working-from-home-due-to-coronavirus/849563/39 "2020-03-16T15:58:12Z")
My job cannot be done from home so I voted Other. mmm ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2020, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-are-you-working-from-home-due-to-coronavirus/849563/40 "2020-03-16T16:06:22Z")
I work from home anyway (I write music.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-are-you-working-from-home-due-to-coronavirus/849563.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-are-you-working-from-home-due-to-coronavirus/849563.md?page=3)