OT: Off-Topic, again.

[adsfan]

Quite the timing to be visiting London!

I was there for the first two days of Wimbledon. The weather is beautiful in late June.

Michael Jackson died when I was there. We went to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace the next day, June 26, 2009. When the Irish Guard band marched into the forecourt, they stopped playing martial music and switched to playing "Thriller". It was all MJ's music until we left about 45 minutes later before the large crowd would disperse.

I bought an ER II x-mas ornament in the royal colors from the Mews gift shop before the festivities began. We got rid of our 7 foot artificial tree last year. I wonder if that ornament will ever be hung again?

 

[adsfan]

Moving a piano is fun if you moved it .... even across a room?

I was "volunteered" to move one at my high school by my Junior English teacher. We carried it down from the stage down some narrow steps to the floor of the auditorium. The 4 of us managed not to drop it.

My wife has a piano and we carried it up a flight of stairs to a second floor flat. The hard part was the 90 degree turn and then going through the door. We hired movers to carry it down when we bought our house.

My MIL got mad when we moved it into the kitchen for two weeks. We thought it was wise when we purchased new carpets and had them installed with new padding. It was a one day job, but we wanted the glue to dry. My daughter, who weighs all of 130 pounds, and I move it to retrieve something that fell behind. I leave more room now and sometimes use a yardstick to push or pull objects out. It is a lot easier!

BTW, her piano is an upright spinet and not a baby grand. The one in HS was not fun to move.

 

[Adz]

Quite the timing to be visiting London!

I think the ceremony is supposed to be Sept 19 so we should miss most of it by the 30th.

 

[Armourboy]

I was "volunteered" to move one at my high school by my Junior English teacher. We carried it down from the stage down some narrow steps to the floor of the auditorium. The 4 of us managed not to drop it.

My wife has a piano and we carried it up a flight of stairs to a second floor flat. The hard part was the 90 degree turn and then going through the door. We hired movers to carry it down when we bought our house.

My MIL got mad when we moved it into the kitchen for two weeks. We thought it was wise when we purchased new carpets and had them installed with new padding. It was a one day job, but we wanted the glue to dry. My daughter, who weighs all of 130 pounds, and I move it to retrieve something that fell behind. I leave more room now and sometimes use a yardstick to push or pull objects out. It is a lot easier!

BTW, her piano is an upright spinet and not a baby grand. The one in HS was not fun to move.

Yeah ours was what I call a standard upright like you find in most houses as opposed to the taller ones you often find in schools. Sucker was heavy any way you look at it. Also ended up needing to remove the handrail to get it up our front steps.

 

[drwpreds]

Has anyone bought soda lately?? Holy crap at the prices. At Publix today a 12 pk of 12 oz can Cokes was $8.39!

Yikes- it used to be we would never ever consider paying anything above $4 for a 12 pack. And would usually always be able to find a 4 for $10 type deal ($2.50 a 12 pack)

 

[triggrman]

Has anyone bought soda lately?? Holy crap at the prices. At Publix today a 12 pk of 12 oz can Cokes was $8.39!

Yikes- it used to be we would never ever consider paying anything above $4 for a 12 pack. And would usually always be able to find a 4 for $10 type deal ($2.50 a 12 pack)

I can't tell you the last time I had a can of soda.

 

[Armourboy]

Has anyone bought soda lately?? Holy crap at the prices. At Publix today a 12 pk of 12 oz can Cokes was $8.39!

Yikes- it used to be we would never ever consider paying anything above $4 for a 12 pack. And would usually always be able to find a 4 for $10 type deal ($2.50 a 12 pack)

Yep its the reason a couple of weeks ago when my wife caught a sale ( $3 per 12) she bought 12 packs of them. It's just the 2 of us so they last a while.

 

[Marty Party]

Yes, cokes have went up, along with everything else. I don't eat fast food or drink a lot of cokes but I will stop at McDonald's to get a $1 large from time to time. They're just over $1.60 now after taxes, basically a $0.50 increase from before. Don't forget about food items and portion sizes getting smaller as well. I began noticing that last year when going out to eat.

Things are supposed to get worse during the winter and next year. Guess we'll see.

 

[Viqsi]

Has anyone bought soda lately?? Holy crap at the prices. At Publix today a 12 pk of 12 oz can Cokes was $8.39!

Yikes- it used to be we would never ever consider paying anything above $4 for a 12 pack. And would usually always be able to find a 4 for $10 type deal ($2.50 a 12 pack)

Never went for it myself. My parents used to, but now have one of those pop machines that lets you make it yourself (SodaStream, IIIRC).

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

I can't tell you the last time I had a can of soda.

I had my first Coke in.... ?a long time? yesterday... boss decided to buy us all free lunch, so um, ok, I grabbed one to go with the free food. I have to say after so long away, it tasted like crap and I thought about just dumping it down the sink. But... free stuff? It was hard to remember why I used to guzzle those. I can't imagine what would cause any large price hike on that stuff though... ?

 

[Adz]

I had my first Coke in.... ?a long time? yesterday... boss decided to buy us all free lunch, so um, ok, I grabbed one to go with the free food. I have to say after so long away, it tasted like crap and I thought about just dumping it down the sink. But... free stuff? It was hard to remember why I used to guzzle those. I can't imagine what would cause any large price hike on that stuff though... ?

Only time I really like Coke is with popcorn at the movies--nothing else is quite as tasty. I cut way down on sodas probably 10 years ago but every so often I do indulge in one of those mini cans of Dr. Pepper or have a SMALL at the game. Water is primary, though. I'm still in the pre-diabetic range for my A1C and I'd like to keep it that way.

That said, Mr. Adz has no such problem and guzzles Sprites. So yes I've seen the prices skyrocket. I wonder if it's the sugar price making the difference because it has gone up a lot, too.

 

[Armourboy]

Only time I really like Coke is with popcorn at the movies--nothing else is quite as tasty. I cut way down on sodas probably 10 years ago but every so often I do indulge in one of those mini cans of Dr. Pepper or have a SMALL at the game. Water is primary, though. I'm still in the pre-diabetic range for my A1C and I'd like to keep it that way.

That said, Mr. Adz has no such problem and guzzles Sprites. So yes I've seen the prices skyrocket. I wonder if it's the sugar price making the difference because it has gone up a lot, too.

Most of them don't use sugar, well not in the sense of sugar sugar, it all corn based now, even most of the Mexican stuff.

Supply shortages, fertilizer has been a big one, labor shortages, higher diesel prices, are all factors that push up cost.

 

[Marty Party]

From my experience, people just don't want to work nowadays, so they aren't. It's nearly comical how poor work ethic is.

Don't be shocked when layoffs begin to take place for those of us that do.

My rainy day fund is on steroids.

 

[Armourboy]

From my experience, people just don't want to work nowadays, so they aren't. It's nearly comical how poor work ethic is.

Don't be shocked when layoffs begin to take place for those of us that do.

My rainy day fund is on steroids.

That's it in some cases, but in others lots of places, especially here in middle Tennessee, were running short handed when all of this stuff started. Now lots of your older folks have gone ahead and retired so you've lost them and you were short to start with. People are able to choose where they work, so if they don't like the way you do things they aren't going to stick around, unless the money is just really good. There are lots of places that are and have always been crap to work at that people were willing to go to cause the pay was better or they just didn't want to start over. Lots of people had to start over anyways, or had to go somewhere else because of shut downs and they sure as heck aren't going to go back to working for a crappy business.

Now that said, unless I didn't have a choice I wouldn't touch anyone under the age of 30 to try and hire. Every one we've had come through either won't show up for work or try and steal hours they aren't working.

 

[Adz]

Those who don't show up without notice for a job they accepted and those who rely on welfare as a way of life do show a lack of work ethic. But during the pandemic people learned how to make things work under new parameters and in the process figured out what was important to them. For some this resulted in a significant reduction of monthly costs during the pandemic, such as day care, gym, sport tickets, transportation, clothing for example. Living without those costs but life still happening, and sometimes better-- well certain jobs or dual jobs became less important.

This isn't new. I became a stay at home mom when my daughter was born 35 years ago-- a difference of $50 a month I'd clear after daycare was factored in. Sure I missed cable and taking Mr Adz's shirts to the dry cleaners, and she had cloth diapers I washed but we did not suffer that $50. The pandemic did this on a widespread scale -- not necessarily because we wanted to make changes but we did. So now, instead of returning to the workforce people have determined that their quality of life suffers when they do...so they don't OR they're quick to leave if the conditions don't mesh.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

Those who don't show up without notice for a job they accepted and those who rely on welfare as a way of life do show a lack of work ethic. But during the pandemic people learned how to make things work under new parameters and in the process figured out what was important to them. For some this resulted in a significant reduction of monthly costs during the pandemic, such as day care, gym, sport tickets, transportation, clothing for example. Living without those costs but life still happening, and sometimes better-- well certain jobs or dual jobs became less important.

This isn't new. I became a stay at home mom when my daughter was born 35 years ago-- a difference of $50 a month I'd clear after daycare was factored in. Sure I missed cable and taking Mr Adz's shirts to the dry cleaners, and she had cloth diapers I washed but we did not suffer that $50. The pandemic did this on a widespread scale -- not necessarily because we wanted to make changes but we did. So now, instead of returning to the workforce people have determined that their quality of life suffers when they do...so they don't OR they're quick to leave if the conditions don't mesh.

Yep, and some companies are not pivoting well to adjust to this new realization. In the industry I work in, a lot of people realized they could have both these things: could do 90% of their work just as well from home, AND enjoy the better quality of life elements too. So now we're in a phase where a lot of good people are leaving for other jobs (or even other careers) if their employers are too slow to pivot. Last time I remember having so many farewell lunches was like more than a dozen years ago when it was more layoffs/recession stuff. Now it's just people feeling more empowered to seek their own definition of greener pastures.

 

[Adz]

Yep, and some companies are not pivoting well to adjust to this new realization. In the industry I work in, a lot of people realized they could have both these things: could do 90% of their work just as well from home, AND enjoy the better quality of life elements too. So now we're in a phase where a lot of good people are leaving for other jobs (or even other careers) if their employers are too slow to pivot. Last time I remember having so many farewell lunches was like more than a dozen years ago when it was more layoffs/recession stuff. Now it's just people feeling more empowered to seek their own definition of greener pastures.

Right. For certain jobs being onsite is necessary but if it isn't...employers are quickly learning that WFH is something that is highly valued.

But for management, it's awkward. We were starting to lose some of our sense of cohesion. We'd moved buildings over the pandemic, then merged with another company while WFH so things were just different. Our group is small and working together, sometimes all night for a big project, was part of our identity. We started having weekly breakfast meetings (9 AM, we're not crazy!) supplied by the company and a staff meeting to follow replacing one we had every week via Zoom. It has been a good test. People want to be together and enjoy some camaraderie...and then they either go back home or work from their actual offices. And if you still have to remote in for the meeting you can. We're partnered with a production studio so people are onsite - we may have shoots going on, someone has to feed the computers, etc but most of us drive in occasionally and work from home. As a former boss and still administrative powerhouse (heh) I have urged the new boss to step lightly where this is concerned. To his credit, he has.

 

[Marty Party]

WFH is being phased out at my company. To get it, a lot of t's have to be crossed and i's dotted. It's probably a fluid situation however since that box has already been opened. Hard to close it after folks got a taste.

Personally, I don't think I'd like to WFH. I don't think I'd be comfortable with my home and work being under one roof, seven days a week, even though I'd be "off the clock" so to speak.

I don't have a dog in that hunt though.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

I expect WFH to be further phased out at my company too. Currently we're allowed 2 days a week WFH. Although different people have different roles, folks who need to build and test in labs do need to be in more than people who are just in meetings or writing papers and whatnot, and some people just like the social interraction more than others. Plus past that, not every person is as honest and diligent about meeting their work responsibilities without constant supervision as others are. So maybe the main problem is that a one-size-fits-all policy is really not ideal.

Of course the bosses and administrative powerhouses seem likely to prefer to err on the side caution and creating policies that accommodate the lowest common denominator, and while it's understandable, it's also unfortunate for those who could actually work independently and benefit more from a more expansive or customizable WFH policy.

I imagine there will be a continued back and forth for a few years, and if a more serious recession does hit, well, people may not have the same luxury to be so choosy as they are right now.

 

[Armourboy]

A ton of it has to do with the job and if it works really well or not. My wife moved to working for a Parallegal so that works really well from home. Her former job was an officer manager at a real estate company, obviously that wouldn't do well from home. I can't work from home just do to the nature of the job, printing, but my bigger concern is things slowing down and them trying to go back to working 5 days a week instead of my current 3. That schedule has saved our hides during this gas price increase, not to mention the reduction in maintenance on the car and mileage. It also frees me up to do things or just rest up if I need it. The issue where I work is they were already behind the industry pay wise, so now they are getting really behind, and while it was ok before because it was really laid back, after several acquisitions that has gone away. Thing that has blown my mind is that everyone, including hourly workers is negotiated. They have no standard pay, which is just mind blowing for manufacturing.

 

[triggrman]

I hate working from home all the time. I need social interaction, most people do. I also think people work better as part of a team and if you are never together how can you truly feel like a team. I also think buildings and office need to offer stuff that benefits people while they’re there. Our office installed more TVs, ping pong and foosball gables, soft seating areas. We have dialed monitors at every desk, zoom rooms, our task chairs are leaps at every desk, etc. We have 3 different fiber feeds as well so we’re never down and an on-site Starbucks and a cafe.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

My teams tend to be scattered all over the world anyway, so whether we are calling in from home or the office doesn't make any difference. I wouldn't seek out social interaction for its own sake at work, I leave that for outside work. So again, it really depends entirely on individual circumstances. Just having flexibility and open mindedness from the employer side is the real need. They should be aware enough of what you do that plans can be tailored to meet individual circumstances on a case-by-case basis.

 

[triggrman]

My schedule after work is still around baseball, I’ll get to have an actual social life soon. That aside I still don’t like 8 hours a day by myself.

 

[adsfan]

I look forward to the day that COVID-19 is behind us. I work in a lab. For awhile, we were split up into teams, so our Tech Center could not be wiped out. I am in the lab 90% of the time, so it was not practical to work from home more than 1 day a week. I was with younger people who both had a bread baking obsession. I thought the topic would go away after a few weeks, but it didn't. We started a second shift in our building at that time and us first shift people were supposed to minimize overlap time with them.

On Fridays, I was paired with two colleagues of similar age to myself who worked in person Friday to Sunday. One of them took off of work on a Friday. The phones seemed to ring 50 times that day. I put those pink phone message pads by all three of the lab phones by 10 AM since our admin was working from home 80% of the time and when you are busy doing something or several things at once, it isn't easy to run to a phone that may be 60 feet away instead of 10 feet or 2 feet.

When we came back together after a number of months, our Monday morning staff meetings continued to use Teams as we sat at our individual desks to maintain separation. We did the same for lunch. I had stopped eating my lunch in our "dining center" a month or two before we were split up. On Friday, I was in a Teams meeting with 5 other people, none of which were on my side of town and some were out of state. It reduces travel and time even though the 30 minute meeting lasted 45 minutes.

Monday, I was able to get an Omicron 4 & 5 booster after work and it had no after effects. It was the first day of availability here. Mrs. Adsfan received one on Friday. I have never had COVID and I am trying to keep it that way. We are down to about 50% of people in the US sharing that state with me.

I like to speak to people in person. The only WFD days, 1.5 of them, were when my boss got COVID. I took the call from HR on a Friday morning. I already had 40 hours in, so I packed up my laptop and some papers and went home. I was able to write reports on the next Monday. I took 4 vacation days. At the time, I wasn't happy about it. It turned out to be my longest time off of work in 2020. Looking back, it was good for me.

Good health to you all!

 

[triggrman]

The only remaining COVID issues we have now are just the hybrid wfh practice in the office. As the economy continues to slow though I imagine more and more will be back.

I know in the tech world layoffs are happening now. The next 2 years will be interesting for sure. I know Apple just had a bit of attrition after announcing they were returning to the office, ADP too. It just saved them from layoffs. What happens though when the job market tightens? Because those days are coming.