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Ask HN: Which companies give programmers offices?

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Re: Ask HN: Which companies give programmers offices?

#131

Post by maxxxxx »

mooreds wrote: post #127
maxxxxx wrote: post #106

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Incompetent management is always a problem but in remote teams it's even worse. With onsite teams the manager can at least track attendance and can generally see if people are doing some work. With remote teams your only measure is the output of people and that's very hard to judge if you are not competent. I think you also need to hire differently for remote. People need to be self-motivated and self-sufficient.

> I think you also need to hire differently for remote. People need to be self-motivated and self-sufficient. I think this is true, but I think that most hiring managers would prefer to hire for self-motivated and self-sufficient regardless of the role location. But maybe I'm too optimistic.

"But maybe I'm too optimistic."

Unfortunately I think so.

Re: Ask HN: Which companies give programmers offices?

#132

Post by lordnacho »

msluyter wrote: post #28

On the general question of open vs. private offices, my views have tempered over time. The first time I worked in an open office, I hated it. But I've come to realize that a lot depends on the layout of the office and that there are better and worse ways to configure one. The first case -- the one I hated -- had a) long rows of desks, b) bright overhead fluorescent lights, c) a lot of noise due to being in a large ro…

One thing that matters a lot is the behaviour of the people.

I used to work in a small open office where one guy would constantly hold debates with everyone. It was pretty hard to stay out of it, and very distracting.

Now I'm in an office with a similar layout and staff, but it's like a library. There's the occasional group discussion or banter, but not enough to bother.

I've worked in finance my whole career, so it's all open plan, lots of screens. Never had my own office, people always needed (well so they say) to be accessible.

Re: Ask HN: Which companies give programmers offices?

#134

Post by GordonS »

msluyter wrote: post #28

On the general question of open vs. private offices, my views have tempered over time. The first time I worked in an open office, I hated it. But I've come to realize that a lot depends on the layout of the office and that there are better and worse ways to configure one. The first case -- the one I hated -- had a) long rows of desks, b) bright overhead fluorescent lights, c) a lot of noise due to being in a large ro…

> But I've come to realize that a lot depends on the layout of the office

A lot also depends on the people that work around you.

If everyone respects one another, then it's usually OK.

However, there is often at least one person who talks and talks and talks for most of the day (and somehow keeps their job), and at least one person who talks VERY LOUDLY on the phone all day (because they're far away, so obviously you need to shout to be heard?!).

Re: Ask HN: Which companies give programmers offices?

#135

Post by ams6110 »

bobbytherobot wrote: post #66
maaaats wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I work in a team. The team of 5-10 people sit in the same office. That way we can talk to each other when needed. Some say that's disturbance, I call it collaborating. I'm not a code monkey. I don't sit alone in an office all day hammering out code. If that was what expected of me, I would change job. So, not exactly open floor plan, but not separate offices either. I think that's perfect.

I'm currently in a small office with a small team. They hate talking. They want to do everything by chat or code review. My point? So many factors are at play for a healthy office.

It seems weird to me to use online chat to talk to someone right next to you. I've done it in some situations to avoid disturbing others but it's pretty inefficient compared to face-to-face talking.

Re: Ask HN: Which companies give programmers offices?

#136

Post by MrBuddyCasino »

s1gs3gv wrote: post #119

I think choice is important. Some people prefer one, some the other. The best working environment I've experienced in my life as a software developer was at Bell Labs in the 80s, where small private offices was the norm. On the other hand, its good to have open working areas available when they are appropriate. In Bell Labs, we'd often congregate near the railings overlooking the Holmdel atrium while our build finish…

This. Just let people choose for themselves. We have a regular open office room, a special "quiet zone" open office room, and several smaller rooms to retreat to if you want even more privacy.

There are people in all three areas, usually the same ones. There is no one size that fits all. Just let people choose.

Re: Ask HN: Which companies give programmers offices?

#139

Post by wolco »

ams6110 wrote: post #135
bobbytherobot wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm currently in a small office with a small team. They hate talking. They want to do everything by chat or code review. My point? So many factors are at play for a healthy office.

It seems weird to me to use online chat to talk to someone right next to you. I've done it in some situations to avoid disturbing others but it's pretty inefficient compared to face-to-face talking.

The good thing about online chats is you have a history of the conversation to reference later.
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