QFF premium line - work from home?

[RooFlyer]

I've called the Premium (Plat) line a couple of times over the past week - cancelling revenue and award flights - and twice it sounded like the person was 'working from home' (scratchy line, type of noises in the background).

The calls were in normal business hours and appeared to get the usual competent agents after a short wait to get through (not during 'don't call unless flight in 24 hrs' times). Hobart isn't in any sort of lockdown or workplace restriction; does anyone know if some Plat agents are working from home? I hadn't struck this before (or at least it wasn't obvious).

No problem for me, just wondering.

 

[RichardMEL]

Well why not? I have had telehealth consults with specialists who have been at home (one being interupted by kids which was both cute but not a good look.. but not their fault and I had a bit of a laugh about it with the doc). When you're stuck in lockdowns and the like it makes sense to obviously not be in a call centre and can be done from home.

Incidently when jetBlue started ops 20 odd years ago they set up their phone operators from home - in Utah of all places IIRC - so it's hardly a new thing..

 

[RooFlyer]

Well why not? I have had telehealth consults with specialists who have been at home (one being interupted by kids which was both cute but not a good look.. but not their fault and I had a bit of a laugh about it with the doc). When you're stuck in lockdowns and the like it makes sense to obviously not be in a call centre and can be done from home.

No reason why not, but the point I was making was that Hobart is not in lockdown and hasn't been for a year or so (and I'm thinking Hobart is the only call center for Plat and above in normal hours?) I guess also with the new phone menu, the calls might be sprayed outside Hobart (and so to various homes) but I thought Plat members always got Hobart after they fixed the initial glitch.

As I said, not a problem for me, just curious.

 

[madrooster]

Yes, HBA and AKL are both operating with some staff in the office and some staff working from home.

 

[nancypants]

Yeah definitely chatted to a home worker the other day (caught up in simultaneous NT and Qld lockdowns). He was very good.

interestingly (I probably shouldn’t say “annoyingly”), I put in for a call back, was promptly informed the call back time was 1 hour (ok), and of course the second I left the house without phone to put bin out (12 minutes in), they call!!!

 

[Hvr]

I suggest that many people who've worked from home will want to continue it in the future.

As I've mentioned previously I did 219 days WFH last financial year. I hope to replicate it this FY. It is easier for me when having conversations with clients and I'm calling from my quiet lounge room. In the office it's noisy and prone to interruptions.

Plus quiet time to cogitate and write reports is essential. Whilst WFH if I don't want to be disturbed I just note this on my TEAMS and Skype. In the office people just walk up and start talking.

 

[Katie]

I suggest that many people who've worked from home will want to continue it in the future.

As I've mentioned previously I did 219 days WFH last financial year. I hope to replicate it this FY. It is easier for me when having conversations with clients and I'm calling from my quiet lounge room. In the office it's noisy and prone to interruptions.

Plus quiet time to cogitate and write reports is essential. Whilst WFH if I don't want to be disturbed I just note this on my TEAMS and Skype. In the office people just walk up and start talking.

I've worked with colleagues who've put a sign up on their desk (and put their headphones on) when they don't want to be disturbed by randoms like me walking up and interrupting them.

 

[nancypants]

Yeah definitely chatted to a home worker the other day (caught up in simultaneous NT and Qld lockdowns). He was very good.

interestingly (I probably shouldn’t say “annoyingly”), I put in for a call back, was promptly informed the call back time was 1 hour (ok), and of course the second I left the house without phone to put bin out (12 minutes in), they call!!!

I had an employee until recently who couldn’t comprehend a massive “do not disturb unless you need CPR” sign, I took to locking my office door but unfortunately he simply used to unlock it. Some people are so thick

 

[dylarr]

I heard dogs barking in the background when I called the QFF Service centre yesterday so they must be working from home as well.

Not Qantas, but I called another company recently and heard a rooster crowing in the background. The agent was very apologetic but I thought it was hilarious.

 

[sudoer]

No reason why not, but the point I was making was that Hobart is not in lockdown and hasn't been for a year or so

Many offices are not running at full capacity to ensure physical distancing between staff desks.

 

[RooFlyer]

Many offices are not running at full capacity to ensure physical distancing between staff desks.

Yes, but did that apply in the Hobart call centre?

 

[sudoer]

Yes, but did that apply in the Hobart call centre?

Yes, the 1.5m rule and density rules (currently 2sqm) apply in Tasmania through WorkSafe.

 

[RooFlyer]

Yes, the 1.5m rule and density rules (currently 2sqm) apply in Tasmania through WorkSafe.

Hmmm .. in theory, perhaps . I’m sure Qantas observes all the rules, but as for everyone else …

 

[ANstar]

Why force people into an office if they can WFH some of the time? Win Win.

 

[jonboixxx]

My banker apologised the first time, when her dogs were barking in the background. Now it's just commonplace. She was trying to hot-desk for a while but now rarely goes on. For me, I've 'worked' from home for 15 years.