Communication is key, especially when it’s bad news.

Everyone has different communication styles. Some people want an open line of communication at all times so they can constantly get updates. Maybe you have a parent or a friend like this. They’re the opposite of hands-off. They constantly want to know what you’re doing and are always asking follow-up questions for more details. It makes them feel safe to be kept in touch. Other people don’t mind a little more independence. You won’t hear from them for weeks unless it’s necessary. This doesn’t bother them or make them feel out of touch. It’s just the way they operate. When you have two of these people from opposite ends of the spectrum, and you put them in a room together or in a workplace together, problems are bound to come up. That’s what happened in this story. 

There is a huge difference, lifestyle-wise, between working one day per week in an office versus working five days per week in an office. It’s a whole lot more commute time, especially if you live some distance from your workplace. If you have other commitments in your life, you might rely on the flexibility of remote work to help you accomplish those. If you have kids, you have probably arranged your childcare around your ability to work from home. All that to say, it’s a pretty big deal to go from one to the other, especially when you weren’t expecting it.