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Rory Sutherland repeatedly likes to point out that whilst businesses may look dimly upon WFH, many of them would and should be keen for their customers to have

Rory Sutherland repeatedly likes to point out that whilst businesses may look dimly upon WFH, many of them would and should be keen for their customers to have it (and indeed more public holidays as far as Americans are concerned), as it would mean more leisure time and time for discretionary spending, and that it follows that it is in their own interests to extend such allowances for their own employees accordingly. He cites Henry Ford's two day weekend as justification, amongst other things, and notes how it was intended to provide employees with enough free time to justify owning an automobile* *https://hankeringforhistory.com/history-weekend/ https://hankeringforhistory.com/history-weekend/

beepbopboopp 3y ago
Well this opens some crazy second order consequences which I have noticed in my life. I am probably spending 10-15% more (forget inflation) with wfh and the more flexible hours. Where does this come from? Higher pay ultimately? A reduction in spending on other things? Over the long term everything readjusts
- chaostheory 3y ago
  The big question in your case is how you commute to work. Did you drive to work? If so, how far is work? For the majority of people who have the privilege of WFH, they drove to work with an average commute time of 40-60 minutes. If you account for fuel and commute costs, it’ll either even out or you will save money and time by not having to commute and purchase lunch.
  - Gigachad 3y ago
    Personally I save money in office because the electricity costs for heating/cooling are greater than the train ticket.
    - chaostheory 3y ago
      Unfortunately, most people don’t have the luxury of using public transportation. Hence, the vast majority of people do not save money going to the office. In my case, fuel costs approximately $200 or more a month for just commuting to the office. Our HVAC costs stayed the same working from home, even with a smart thermostat.
- sokoloff 3y ago
  After saving commuting costs and dramatically reducing your lunch costs? I am saving easily $10 a day on the commute and about the same on lunch. That’s $4k/year post-tax and I had a short (albeit driving) commute.

beepbopboopp 3y ago

Well this opens some crazy second order consequences which I have noticed in my life. I am probably spending 10-15% more (forget inflation) with wfh and the more flexible hours. Where does this come from? Higher pay ultimately? A reduction in spending on other things? Over the long term everything readjusts

chaostheory 3y ago
The big question in your case is how you commute to work. Did you drive to work? If so, how far is work? For the majority of people who have the privilege of WFH, they drove to work with an average commute time of 40-60 minutes. If you account for fuel and commute costs, it’ll either even out or you will save money and time by not having to commute and purchase lunch.
- Gigachad 3y ago
  Personally I save money in office because the electricity costs for heating/cooling are greater than the train ticket.
  - chaostheory 3y ago
    Unfortunately, most people don’t have the luxury of using public transportation. Hence, the vast majority of people do not save money going to the office. In my case, fuel costs approximately $200 or more a month for just commuting to the office. Our HVAC costs stayed the same working from home, even with a smart thermostat.
sokoloff 3y ago
After saving commuting costs and dramatically reducing your lunch costs? I am saving easily $10 a day on the commute and about the same on lunch. That’s $4k/year post-tax and I had a short (albeit driving) commute.