3 ms·

Unless we want to take a permanent hit to overall productivity and profitability, yes, most people will return to the office real quick. Trying to be efficient

by meritt 7y ago

Unless we want to take a permanent hit to overall productivity and profitability, yes, most people will return to the office real quick. Trying to be efficient while hunched over a 13" mbp at your kitchen table while your children and spouse expect you to be available even though you're "at work" is near impossible for most people. I've worked from home for 9 years and it took a long time to get to the point I felt just as proficient as I used to at the office. That didn't really happen until I had a dedicated office in my home, a good desk, a great monitor, and an amazing chair.

brightball 7y ago
Dedicated office with a door being key.
- FalconSensei 7y ago
  In some cities, having a dedicated bedroom in your apartment (not a studio) is already something. Getting a 2 bedroom apartment is to burn money
- analog31 7y ago
  When the boss told us to work from home, I packed up my laptop, ordered a great big monitor from Best Buy, and picked it up on the way home. Now I do hardware, so I also went back in the evening and shoveled half of the lab into my car. But I live where land is cheap.
Consultant32452 7y ago
I had the opposite experience. I started my professional life during the early days of the "open" floor plans. My first work desk was basically in a hallway without even shitty fabric cubicle walls to block me from my neighbors. About 10 feet away from me was the row of sales people, on conference/sales calls all day. When I first started working remotely, it was a miracle. I finally remembered what it felt like to focus again. I hadn't been able to think so clearly and deeply since college. I had previously thought my mind was suffering early dementia, but it turns out it was just that standard office environment does that to me. I will say I did miss some of the socialization. I had to consciously step up my outside-of-work socializing time. I think all but the most social people could do this if they made a conscious effort to maintain their social/mental health while working from home. Having young children at home also makes this difficult without a dedicated office and stay-at-home-watching-the-kids-full-time spouse. The big problem right now is people are not capable of compensating for the lack of in-work socializing with out-of-work socializing. I imagine that's extremely difficult for most people.
WarChortle18 7y ago
I've been working from home for a month now and I feel more productive. I don't have a few annoying co workers coming to my desk distracting me. I can focus on my work, and if I need to take a break I don't have to hide it at all. I am more comfortable in my PJ's and get to see my daughter more. I think it allowing people to choose would give the biggest productivity boost. You do better in the office, but I was way less productive in the office. forcing people to do one or the other will hurt productivity.

by meritt 7y ago

brightball 7y ago

Dedicated office with a door being key.

FalconSensei 7y ago
In some cities, having a dedicated bedroom in your apartment (not a studio) is already something. Getting a 2 bedroom apartment is to burn money
analog31 7y ago
When the boss told us to work from home, I packed up my laptop, ordered a great big monitor from Best Buy, and picked it up on the way home. Now I do hardware, so I also went back in the evening and shoveled half of the lab into my car. But I live where land is cheap.

Consultant32452 7y ago

I had the opposite experience. I started my professional life during the early days of the "open" floor plans. My first work desk was basically in a hallway without even shitty fabric cubicle walls to block me from my neighbors. About 10 feet away from me was the row of sales people, on conference/sales calls all day. When I first started working remotely, it was a miracle. I finally remembered what it felt like to focus again. I hadn't been able to think so clearly and deeply since college. I had previously thought my mind was suffering early dementia, but it turns out it was just that standard office environment does that to me. I will say I did miss some of the socialization. I had to consciously step up my outside-of-work socializing time. I think all but the most social people could do this if they made a conscious effort to maintain their social/mental health while working from home. Having young children at home also makes this difficult without a dedicated office and stay-at-home-watching-the-kids-full-time spouse. The big problem right now is people are not capable of compensating for the lack of in-work socializing with out-of-work socializing. I imagine that's extremely difficult for most people.

WarChortle18 7y ago

I've been working from home for a month now and I feel more productive. I don't have a few annoying co workers coming to my desk distracting me. I can focus on my work, and if I need to take a break I don't have to hide it at all. I am more comfortable in my PJ's and get to see my daughter more. I think it allowing people to choose would give the biggest productivity boost. You do better in the office, but I was way less productive in the office. forcing people to do one or the other will hurt productivity.