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I don't agree with your premise of "remote workers being worth less (even if slightly) because there's less efficient collaboration". The last part is only tru

by tinbad 9y ago

I don't agree with your premise of "remote workers being worth less (even if slightly) because there's less efficient collaboration". The last part is only true because most of today's organizations and processes are organized this way. Objectively, there's very little (outside of the individuals ability/willingness to work) that can't be optimized for remote work using modern technology. I've been working remote for many years now and even many large enterprises I have worked for recently have adopted tools needed for working remotely efficiently (easy video/chat/screen share, collaborative productivity tools etc.). At this point, my impression it's mostly mental barriers (managers!) that stall any progress in this area.

Bartweiss 9y ago
Until the open plan office fad finally dies, I suspect some developers are more efficient working remotely. Collaboration is great, but it's better as a purposeful thing spaced between uninterrupted work. As two-minute interruptions several times an hour, it's a serious impediment to focused work. For me at least, my experience working remotely was that I was less integrated into the team, and struggled to contribute and keep up when planning involved ad hoc discussions. But I got more done per hour, and the conversations I did have with teammates were more structured and productive than they tend to be in person. We also had a better knowledge base and lower bus factor, because information was passed in text more than by word of mouth. Under ideal circumstances with experienced teams, in-person work probably has an edge. After all, you can interact like it's remote work in any case where that's a better system. But in the real world, I suspect remote work has clear advantages for some tasks.
conanbatt 9y ago
> The last part is only true because most of today's organizations and processes are organized this way. Objectively, there's very little (outside of the individuals ability/willingness to work) that can't be optimized for remote work using modern technology. Only the most important one: communication. Its like saying you dont need to meet someone in person before marrying them, because all you need to know can be asked on an email or a skype call.. > I've been working remote for many years now and even many large enterprises I have worked for recently have adopted tools needed for working remotely efficiently (easy video/chat/screen share, collaborative productivity tools etc.). At this point, my impression it's mostly mental barriers (managers!) that stall any progress in this area. I have been mostly a remote worker and I'm positively confident in-office working is more productive than remote, the same way going to the gym is more effective than working out at your home for the whole. There are exceptions and deviations, but the generality is true. Thats my model, but reality also matches with that idea: othterwise remote companies would be eating in-office companies, but they arent.
- imhoguy 9y ago
  I suppose you were working in not remote-first companies. Then indeed water-cooler talks keep remotees behind. But I can't agree on productivity and gym parts. Massive telecommuting is quite recent habit thanks to technology advancements and it still needs some paradigm shift especially on management level. Such shift had to happen in the past with introduction of computers in offices, on-line shopping, on-line banking, selling insurances etc.

by tinbad 9y ago

Bartweiss 9y ago

Until the open plan office fad finally dies, I suspect some developers are more efficient working remotely. Collaboration is great, but it's better as a purposeful thing spaced between uninterrupted work. As two-minute interruptions several times an hour, it's a serious impediment to focused work. For me at least, my experience working remotely was that I was less integrated into the team, and struggled to contribute and keep up when planning involved ad hoc discussions. But I got more done per hour, and the conversations I did have with teammates were more structured and productive than they tend to be in person. We also had a better knowledge base and lower bus factor, because information was passed in text more than by word of mouth. Under ideal circumstances with experienced teams, in-person work probably has an edge. After all, you can interact like it's remote work in any case where that's a better system. But in the real world, I suspect remote work has clear advantages for some tasks.

conanbatt 9y ago

> The last part is only true because most of today's organizations and processes are organized this way. Objectively, there's very little (outside of the individuals ability/willingness to work) that can't be optimized for remote work using modern technology. Only the most important one: communication. Its like saying you dont need to meet someone in person before marrying them, because all you need to know can be asked on an email or a skype call.. > I've been working remote for many years now and even many large enterprises I have worked for recently have adopted tools needed for working remotely efficiently (easy video/chat/screen share, collaborative productivity tools etc.). At this point, my impression it's mostly mental barriers (managers!) that stall any progress in this area. I have been mostly a remote worker and I'm positively confident in-office working is more productive than remote, the same way going to the gym is more effective than working out at your home for the whole. There are exceptions and deviations, but the generality is true. Thats my model, but reality also matches with that idea: othterwise remote companies would be eating in-office companies, but they arent.

imhoguy 9y ago
I suppose you were working in not remote-first companies. Then indeed water-cooler talks keep remotees behind. But I can't agree on productivity and gym parts. Massive telecommuting is quite recent habit thanks to technology advancements and it still needs some paradigm shift especially on management level. Such shift had to happen in the past with introduction of computers in offices, on-line shopping, on-line banking, selling insurances etc.