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Why do all of the discussions about WFH center around what employees want? I started my career with my own office (at two different jobs) and transitioned form

Why do all of the discussions about WFH center around what employees want? I started my career with my own office (at two different jobs) and transitioned form cubicles to open office. Each step in this process has been notably worse than the previous and no one argues about that at all. The reason WFH hasn't taken off has nothing to do with want works best for employers. WFH hasn't taken off because having a physical presence has been a huge part of how companies not only control employees but show off their status. Startups had to be in SF because VCs wanted to see an office. Now that everyone is forced home more companies are seeing that having an office is a liability, and is not nearly as necessary since everyone has had to learn to do remote work so the cultural inertia has shifted immediately. I suspect we'll see a change to WFH, not because workers like it, but because it is cheaper and production doesn't change (not to mention it quickly reveals whose "production" is really just physically presenting in an office)

npo9 7y ago
> I suspect we'll see a change to WFH, not because workers like it, but because it is cheaper and production doesn't change (not to mention it quickly reveals whose "production" is really just physically presenting in an office) I’m unconvinced and very skeptical that on the average across all people that transitioned to WFH due to COVID-19 there is “no change” in measurable productivity.
- ashtonkem 7y ago
  The relative merits of WFH productivity wise are debatable. Being forced to WFH unplanned and against your will, during a stressful pandemic? If you think productivity isn’t down per hour* I have a bridge to sell you. *A lot of workers are surely working more hours to compensate, or out of boredom. This presents a whole different set of risks.
ashtonkem 7y ago
It’ll be seen as a liability for new companies, but most existing companies have decades long leases they’ll be loathe to risk ditching. A return to status quo is a very strong factor in large organizations, after all. I think this’ll be less of a watershed moment for most industries.
dahfizz 7y ago
> transitioned form cubicles to open office. Each step in this process has been notably worse than the previous and no one argues about that at all. I see people complaining about open offices almost every day on HN...
WalterBright 7y ago
> has nothing to do with want works best for employers. It has everything to do with it. If people were more productive at home than in the office, employers would embrace it. If they are less productive at home, they will oppose it. (Factoring in the cost of the office, too.) I've worked at home and in the office for long periods. Working at home isn't all it's cracked up to be. There's a lot to be said for working in an office with your colleagues that email, chat, and video conferencing will never make up for.
- ashtonkem 7y ago
  If worker happiness mattered more, we’d all have private offices or at least cubicles. The proliferation of open plan offices demonstrates how much land cost trumps worker preference.

npo9 7y ago

> I suspect we'll see a change to WFH, not because workers like it, but because it is cheaper and production doesn't change (not to mention it quickly reveals whose "production" is really just physically presenting in an office) I’m unconvinced and very skeptical that on the average across all people that transitioned to WFH due to COVID-19 there is “no change” in measurable productivity.

ashtonkem 7y ago
The relative merits of WFH productivity wise are debatable. Being forced to WFH unplanned and against your will, during a stressful pandemic? If you think productivity isn’t down per hour* I have a bridge to sell you. *A lot of workers are surely working more hours to compensate, or out of boredom. This presents a whole different set of risks.

ashtonkem 7y ago

It’ll be seen as a liability for new companies, but most existing companies have decades long leases they’ll be loathe to risk ditching. A return to status quo is a very strong factor in large organizations, after all. I think this’ll be less of a watershed moment for most industries.

dahfizz 7y ago

> transitioned form cubicles to open office. Each step in this process has been notably worse than the previous and no one argues about that at all. I see people complaining about open offices almost every day on HN...

WalterBright 7y ago

> has nothing to do with want works best for employers. It has everything to do with it. If people were more productive at home than in the office, employers would embrace it. If they are less productive at home, they will oppose it. (Factoring in the cost of the office, too.) I've worked at home and in the office for long periods. Working at home isn't all it's cracked up to be. There's a lot to be said for working in an office with your colleagues that email, chat, and video conferencing will never make up for.

ashtonkem 7y ago
If worker happiness mattered more, we’d all have private offices or at least cubicles. The proliferation of open plan offices demonstrates how much land cost trumps worker preference.