Interested to hear everyone's predictions for 2021 and beyond. Do you think we will actually return to offices? Or will WFH become the new norm?
Also — would you WFH if you had to take a pay cut of 10% or greater?
Ask HN: Do you think 'normal' working will ever return?
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Re: Ask HN: Do you think 'normal' working will ever return?
#2I would not work for a company that would have me work from home for 10% less than what I make now. Why would I do that? I am paying more by working from home since I need to supply my own utilities and resources just to do my job.
Re: Ask HN: Do you think 'normal' working will ever return?
#3The trend to home work has already started before Corona.
I think we'll see a return to normal as there is too much vested interest in commercial property esp in the UK.
Re: Ask HN: Do you think 'normal' working will ever return?
#4I would not work for a company that would have me work from home for 10% less than what I make now. Why would I do that? I am paying more by working from home since I need to supply my own utilities and resources just to do my job.
I work from home and my computer is paid by the company and I get a little compensation which covers internet and power etc. So no spending there! But I save a lot by not commuting and eating at home.
Re: Ask HN: Do you think 'normal' working will ever return?
#5I would not work for a company that would have me work from home for 10% less than what I make now. Why would I do that? I am paying more by working from home since I need to supply my own utilities and resources just to do my job.
You don't have to supply (i.e. buy) your own hardware, but you might have to pay for the power supply.
On the contrary, you likely have lower commuting costs.
However, the more important aspect might be that you end up needing more space at home and the employer needs less space in the office. Working from your kitchen table is probably not the best idea in terms of ergonomics.
In my opinion this aspect gets few attention in the discussion.
Re: Ask HN: Do you think 'normal' working will ever return?
#6Let's address the elephant in the room: Working from home is a lot less efficient than an ideal office. It's harder to debug things or pair program when needed, it's harder to grab someone's attention, it's easier to miscommunicate, and communication is a lot slower. You also don't get the same camaraderie as you would face to face, but the upside is that you also don't get distracted by attractive coworkers.
However, few offices are ideal. Traffic and commuting is one of the worst little things of daily life. It's dangerous. It ruins the environment. Parking sucks.
Good offices are wide open spaces, with good air, good climate, and cheerful environments. Many offices are bad environments and overcrowded.
There's a balance that COVID has tilted. Some will learn that they don't need offices anymore, especially when people have decked out their home offices. It's likely we'll see employers double down on home offices where they can. Some, like Airbnb or Apple might find that morale is better in their offices. Some smaller companies might set up theirs out of major cities, where lifestyle is cheaper and less crowded.
Re: Ask HN: Do you think 'normal' working will ever return?
#7I would not work for a company that would have me work from home for 10% less than what I make now. Why would I do that? I am paying more by working from home since I need to supply my own utilities and resources just to do my job.
I work from home and my computer is paid by the company and I get a little compensation which covers internet and power etc. So no spending there! But I save a lot by not commuting and eating at home.
In my situation, my computer is paid by the company, but that's it. I drive my kids to and from school which is on the way to the office, so my commute has been extended. My employer also gave us a lunch credit which we lost now that we don't go to the office anymore.
Re: Ask HN: Do you think 'normal' working will ever return?
#8Let's address the elephant in the room: Working from home is a lot less efficient than an ideal office. It's harder to debug things or pair program when needed, it's harder to grab someone's attention, it's easier to miscommunicate, and communication is a lot slower. You also don't get the same camaraderie as you would face to face, but the upside is that you also don't get distracted by attractive coworkers. However…
“working from home is a lot less efficient than an ideal office” — Goes on to highlight the distractions of the office and all the efficiency/time gains of WFH.
Re: Ask HN: Do you think 'normal' working will ever return?
#9Let's address the elephant in the room: Working from home is a lot less efficient than an ideal office. It's harder to debug things or pair program when needed, it's harder to grab someone's attention, it's easier to miscommunicate, and communication is a lot slower. You also don't get the same camaraderie as you would face to face, but the upside is that you also don't get distracted by attractive coworkers. However…
“working from home is a lot less efficient than an ideal office” — Goes on to highlight the distractions of the office and all the efficiency/time gains of WFH.
I think the point is that managers/executives view their office as ideal, and therefore (rightly and justifiably) want people to come in. The people actually working in said office see the flaws, understand it's less than ideal, and know they can be more productive from home.
Re: Ask HN: Do you think 'normal' working will ever return?
#10The location from which I am working is irrelevant with respect to the value I'm providing to the company. If anything I should earn more working from home, because I'm paying more for utilities and my employer isn't paying utilities for me at the office.