Back in the office, I find myself less anxious than before the pandemic

Many Independent staff are now back in-house after working from home as per government guidance, including myself. I’m splitting my time between the office and home, which feels like having the best of both worlds.

Being in the newsroom of an agenda-setting national newspaper is still as exciting as it was when I first set foot in one at the age of 22. It feels like being at the beating heart of a central hub where everyone is working together to respond to breaking news and deliver for our readers in the UK and around the world. I appreciate having my colleagues there to discuss our commissions in person and having the opportunity to make connections with journalists from other desks.

Working from home is also still incredibly valuable, providing an experience away from the bustle of the newsroom. This can be beneficial for intricate editing work, and, as a bit of a chatterbox, I find there are fewer distractions at home.

If there’s one positive thing to come out of the pandemic, it’s the way conversations have opened up about flexible working. As restrictions ease, I hope it continues to be recognised that many jobs can be done remotely and that these arrangements are beneficial to employers and employees. For parents, neurodiverse folk and people experiencing health issues, working from home can be a godsend.

I have experienced high levels of anxiety in office environments before, to the point of having regular panic attacks, but with a balanced working arrangement, I find myself much less anxious.

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Of course, Covid has not gone away. The pandemic has, understandably, brought with it new anxiety about mixing in workplaces. Stringent hygiene and social distancing requirements at work can go some way towards mitigating the risks, as can mask-wearing while commuting on public transport.

I hope that workplaces across the UK remain mindful of different needs employees have for working, commuting and balancing responsibilities, and take an adaptable approach, as The Independent is doing.

Yours,

Harriet Williamson

Voices commissioning editor