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A Hybrid Approach to Work

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Re: A Hybrid Approach to Work

#21

Post by softwaredoug »

> They’re testing new multi-purpose offices and private workspaces, and working with teams to develop advanced video technology that creates greater equity between employees in the office and those joining virtually.

It just doesn't work when half of the team can walk by each other's desk, do some impromptu planning, and the other half are spread out across the world effectively uninvolved in these conversations. Nobody wants to go through the trouble of setting up a zoom for the 2 min conversation you have about a thing, or nobody is going to loop in a remote colleague when the team has lunch or coffee together.

You either choose to be fully digital, and make digital communication the way work gets done, or you harm people out of the office. Maybe Google will make a miracle happen, but I've never seen "hybrid" work as optimal as either fully in office, or fully remote.

Re: A Hybrid Approach to Work

#22

Post by [deleted] »

yamellasmallela wrote: post #5

This is really stupid. Most people do not need to be in an office to get work done. Google, and all these other tech companies, made record profits this year. I just don't get why they insist on keeping people in a seat? At least for google, offering all these on-site only perks is just a scheme to keep employees at work for as long as possible.

[deleted]

Re: A Hybrid Approach to Work

#23

Post by lamename »

nomoreplease wrote: post #14

> In fact, in places where we’ve been able to reopen Google offices in a voluntary capacity, we’ve seen nearly 60% of Googlers choosing to come back to the office. They don’t classify if that’s continuous or one-time to get a laptop replacement. I would guess the latter

I would also add that 60% coming back doesn't necessarily mean those people prefer working in office full stop. It could be partly that, partly people enjoy flexibility but are tired of the monotony of home, or other factors.

Ask that same 60% if they wanted a month of work from home pre-COVID and I'd bet on at least 33% saying yes, if not more.

Re: A Hybrid Approach to Work

#24

Post by jayd16 »

yamellasmallela wrote: post #5

This is really stupid. Most people do not need to be in an office to get work done. Google, and all these other tech companies, made record profits this year. I just don't get why they insist on keeping people in a seat? At least for google, offering all these on-site only perks is just a scheme to keep employees at work for as long as possible.

If you're right, then wfh companies will out compete the rest and there's nothing to worry about. My guess is there are a lot of benefits to face to face communication and the separation of work and home but we'll just have to see.

Re: A Hybrid Approach to Work

#25

Post by remir »

yamellasmallela wrote: post #5

This is really stupid. Most people do not need to be in an office to get work done. Google, and all these other tech companies, made record profits this year. I just don't get why they insist on keeping people in a seat? At least for google, offering all these on-site only perks is just a scheme to keep employees at work for as long as possible.

Well 60% of their workers chose to come back to the office. I guess not everybody likes working from home full time. Google can't really ignore that.

Re: A Hybrid Approach to Work

#26

Post by nstart »

lamename wrote: post #23
nomoreplease wrote: post #14

> In fact, in places where we’ve been able to reopen Google offices in a voluntary capacity, we’ve seen nearly 60% of Googlers choosing to come back to the office. They don’t classify if that’s continuous or one-time to get a laptop replacement. I would guess the latter

I would also add that 60% coming back doesn't necessarily mean those people prefer working in office full stop. It could be partly that, partly people enjoy flexibility but are tired of the monotony of home, or other factors. Ask that same 60% if they wanted a month of work from home pre-COVID and I'd bet on at least 33% saying yes, if not more.

+1 to this. Remote work vs work from home during pandemic times are very different experiences. The latter is definitely not pleasant in the long run. Even though I worked from home as a usual practice pre pandemic, breaking up the monotony with an occasional hot desking at some other place which may end with a board game night, or working a bit from a coffee shop, is the kind of thing that made remote work such a joy normally.

Re: A Hybrid Approach to Work

#30

Post by srinivgp »

remir wrote: post #25
yamellasmallela wrote: post #5

This is really stupid. Most people do not need to be in an office to get work done. Google, and all these other tech companies, made record profits this year. I just don't get why they insist on keeping people in a seat? At least for google, offering all these on-site only perks is just a scheme to keep employees at work for as long as possible.

Well 60% of their workers chose to come back to the office. I guess not everybody likes working from home full time. Google can't really ignore that.

How many of those are quite aware that if they don't choose, they're on the chopping block? So far I've known exactly two people who actually want to return to the office more than just like once in a while for fun, regardless of what they tell their boss. And one shouldn't count much because she also is going to retire shortly. I'm pretty sure I'm an outlier but not a "no really it's 60%" outlier.
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