A Reddit user has opened up about the challenges of switching from a permanent remote role to a work-from-office (WFO) job, despite the better salary. In a candid post, the employee described how strict policies, long hours, and a lack of flexibility have left them feeling “trapped” just days after joining the new company. The post with the title, “Took a better-paying WFO job, now I’m regretting it”, struck a chord with many online.
Strict Office Rules and Long Hours
“I joined a new company a few days back, it’s a full-time office job (at least for now, maybe after probation I’ll get hybrid). I was excited about starting this new journey. My previous job was permanent remote, but I joined this one because the salary hike seemed worth it, even if it meant going to the office every day. My plan was to stay a few months to a year, let my CTC grow, and then move on.
But now that I’ve started, I’m honestly feeling a bit off,” the post read.
The employee explained that despite finishing work early, they are not allowed to leave before their shift ends. With 8.5 working hours and just one hour of break time, the total office duration stretches to 9.5 hours. “My timing is 11 AM to 8:30 PM. By the time I get home, the whole day is gone,” they shared.
Lack of Sunlight, Social Circle, and Freedom
Beyond the long hours, the physical environment has also been difficult to adjust to. “My desk area has no sunlight, which makes me feel suffocated. You can leave your desk sometimes, but HR notices everything, so it feels like you’re being watched constantly,” the user wrote.
The lack of social interaction and facilities have further added to the feeling of isolation. “There’s no proper canteen, just a small pantry, so I have to go outside to eat alone. My first day, I barely spoke to anyone for the whole 9.5 hours except for HR and my manager briefly,” they noted. Weak phone network and no Wi-Fi for employees were also cited as inconveniences.
‘Feels Like a School Computer Lab’
While being assigned to a project made the workload more engaging, the seating setup posed new challenges. “The seating setup is like a school computer lab — everyone can see everyone’s screens. It feels weird if I’m Googling something silly or using AI for some quick stuff, like everyone is judging,” the post said.
The Redditor admitted this was their first full-time office experience after remote work, and the sudden change has been difficult. Still, they acknowledged the financial stability as a silver lining. “My old company had bad finances and always paid late, so I’m glad my salary here is higher and always on time, but still, I can’t help but feel stuck,” they concluded.