this post was submitted on 23 Aug 2023
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It seems like the vast majority of people are coming at this from the standpoint of "I know how to do my job, why do I need to be an office". This may be unpopular but you do it for the new people who need a Lot of company support to get on their feet. I remember starting out and how much easier it was to ask people questions in person over lunch etc. It's intimidating for a new person to sit in front of a computer and ask random people they've never met questions, really amps that imposter syndrome.
This isn't necessarily invalid but certainly isn't a strong enough of an argument to return to the office.
I have WFH since 2012. I started a new WFH job in 2021. I've never been to an office, never had trouble with training, made good connections with coworkers. I've been promoted already. I could not be this productive in an office. I've tried.
Yes I worked the last two years at University and the offices were empty almost constantly. I just didn't get any connections to anyone and didn't even know if the people could help my cause, since everyone had different projects and you just didn't know what they are actually working on
You're not wrong, but it's a process that can be improved. I will 100% say that we've had better results in person for newbies, BUT it is not a valid reason as an overall rule. In my mind, the benefits far outweigh the downsides. Fuck the office (not the show, it's amazing)
Remote-only companies existed before, during, and continue existing after COVID. And those companies have new people as well. Perhaps you're right and that it's harder to ask questions on slack as a newbie (although I believe it's completely up to personal taste) but is that worth all the benefits of remote work?
I believe it's not.
Yes there are pros and cons to every situation. You are right that it's harder for new employees to learn. It takes more time. But the advantages of working from home are amazing and so much worth it anyway.
The entire idea of everyone leaving their apartments every morning, when they have everything they need to work at home, contributing to environment destruction, morning stress to get to work, an entire workday of hours lost in traffic every week etc... What are we doing? It's madness.
Most people used to spend 10 hours every week traveling to work! That's 40 hours per month - an entire work week just gone sitting in traffic every month! What if you exercise 40 hours per month instead. You would be in stellar shape.
We are supposed to be living life, don't waste it.