I have worked at the same job before pandemic until now. Before pandemic we had open-ish layout with my teams desks all together (8 desks, four side-by-side in

I have worked at the same job before pandemic until now. Before pandemic we had open-ish layout with my teams desks all together (8 desks, four side-by-side in two rows with our backs to the other row) with ~1.5 meter separating noise/sight walls between us and the next team(s). To me it was good. It helped me learn much faster when I could just ask a question out loud and get help. Same with bouncing ideas. Also rotating and wheeling over to help someone was easy. And when you needed someone from another team you could just stand up and see if they were at their table or not. That lasted few years then came "smart" office of flexible seating. We had two desks side by side with separating sight walls in multiple rows and you had to reserve your seat the day before or risk someone removing you during the day. Here we could still somewhat maintain our teams cohesion, but no longer could you just ask questions and have it be heard by everyone nor could you just stand up and see if someone was at the office or not. Now it is just random teams chats and meetings. No idea if anyone is present or reading any chats. I can shout into the void and have no responses. Of course the upside is that I can dick around all day, like now I am writing this stupid post instead of working and there isn't even a risk someone might shoulder surf me and question if I am doing my work or not. Once a week we go to the office and work in one of the few "team rooms" which brings back the old effectiveness and we get a lot of shit done during those days. Also I have noticed that many newer employees are lacking a lot of knowledge about processes and operations that were common knowledge before pandemic and big part of it the lack of coffee/watercooler/desk/lunch talk. There is no way to just casually over hear or stumble upon or just ask about random stuff. Part of me wishes we could go back to the office, but also the benefits of being able to start working an hour late and quit and hour early and just not do the work you are paid to do is too much to give up on. I held strong for couple years, but after seeing how everyone else was abusing WFH to take care of their kids or run errands during work day I also gave in.