So I have one bone to pick with these posts talking about "x% of people considering quitting". That actually doesn't mean anything. People consider doing lots o

So I have one bone to pick with these posts talking about "x% of people considering quitting". That actually doesn't mean anything. People consider doing lots of things all the time that will never happen. It's no different to using a Twitter poll as a source. Yesterday I saw someone post about JP Morgan doing this and that person was suggesting a "hack" of choosing not to disclose your vaccination status to get out of a return to office (or at least delay it). It's worth noting that the EEOC has ruled private companies can fire people for not being vaccinated so proceed with caution. As for the FAANGs, I do see some value in physical presence with your coworkers. This does allow interactions that otherwise wouldn't happen. The food and amenities has value. There's no doubt in my mind that a physically colocated team, all other things being equal, will have a closer team dynamic than a remote one. But... times have changed. As software engineers in particular, we're in a fairly privileged position where we have a lot of options on where can work. Several big companies have already seen what way the winds are blowing and allow permanent remote work (eg FB, Twitter and even Google is in the early stages of this). So you as an individual software engineer have the power to be an agent for change if this is something you care about and that is to vote with your feet if the company you work for forces your hand. Personally, I lived in NYC for 10 years and there's a lot I liked about it but it reaches the point where you're choosing to live somewhere old, small and probably noisy but convenient or putting up with a commute, which really just robs you of time. At least in the tri-state area you can read or something. In the Bay Area where many have to drive, it's worse. And commutes are often much longer. So I know I've made a lifestyle choice to move somewhere cheaper and warmer. But a "great resignation"? I don't see it. Many don't have the options you do working in tech so they'll grumble about it but will comply and go back. I do wish we'd stop reporting people "considering" quitting as meaning anything at all however.