Working from home

ねえ、フランチェスカ、ちょっと聞きたいことがあるの。リモートワークはどう？もう一年以上やっているよね。

Listen, Francesca, I wanted to ask you something. How are you finding remote work? I know you've been doing it for over a year now.

そうね、最初はすごく嬉しかった。六時の目覚まし時計もなし、ミラノの中心にあるオフィスまでの一時間の地下鉄もなし。パジャマで仕事をして、本当に自由を感じていた。

Look, at the beginning I was thrilled. No alarm at six, no hour-long metro ride to the office in central Milan. I worked in my pyjamas and felt completely free.

それで今は？

And now?

今は違う。もちろん、メリットはまだある。

Now it's different. The advantages are still there, of course.

時間をうまく管理できるし、ゆっくりお昼を作るし、午後は仕事を終えたら犬を公園に連れて行く。

I can manage my time better, I prepare lunch calmly, and in the afternoon I take the dog to the park when I finish.

でも本当のところ、同僚との接触が恋しいの。

But the truth is that I miss the contact with my colleagues.

会わないの？

Don't you ever see each other?

水曜日にオフィスに行くけど、同じじゃない。

We go to the office on Wednesdays, but it's not the same thing.

コーヒーマシンでの会話、お昼休みの冗談、グループの一員だと感じさせてくれるあの自然なやりとり。それが全部消えてしまった。

The conversations at the coffee machine, the jokes during the lunch break, that kind of spontaneous interaction that made you feel part of a group. All that has disappeared.

わかる。仕事の面ではどう？

I understand. And from a professional point of view?

それは痛いところ。毎日オフィスに行く人の方が上司に対する存在感があるような気がする。

That's a sore point. I have the impression that those who go to the office every day have more visibility with the managers.

去年、私より仕事をしていなかったけど、いつも物理的にいた同僚が昇進したの。

Last year they promoted a colleague who was doing less than me, but who was always physically present.

上司と話してみた？

Have you tried talking about it with your boss?

うん、彼は違いはないって言うの。でも私は完全には信じていない。

Yes, and he says it makes no difference. But I don't quite believe it.

リモートワークは日常的な業務にはうまく機能すると思うけど、キャリアを築くにはまだ姿を見せる必要があると思う。

I think remote work works well for daily tasks, but to advance your career you still need to be seen.

じゃあ、フルタイムでオフィスに戻る？

So would you go back to the office full-time?

いや、それはない。私にとって理想的なモデルは三日出社で二日在宅。

No, not that. The ideal model in my opinion would be three days in person and two from home.

そうすれば柔軟性を諦めずに人間関係を保てる。会社を説得するのが課題。

That way you maintain relationships without giving up flexibility. The challenge is convincing the company.

交渉、頑張ってね！

Good luck with the negotiation!

ありがとう、必要になるわ。

Thanks, I'll need it.