Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

A Hybrid Approach to Work

blog.google

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

31–40 of 169 posts

Re: A Hybrid Approach to Work

#31

Post by toomuchtodo »

koch wrote: post #12

> reset days I think it's time we admit that a five day work week is counterproductive. Even Google notices this but is probably too big to make that change to a shorter work week; the best they can do is "reset days." Smaller companies seem to be doing fine with a shorter week.[1] [1] Buffer comes to mind first, other examples on 4dayweek.io

In Spain:

"Under the plans, an estimated 200 to 400 Spanish companies will voluntarily take part in the project by reducing their employees’ working week to 32 hours while keeping their salaries the same. The government will compensate participating businesses for any higher costs incurred by the changes, such as the need to hire additional staff or to reorganize scheduling and shift patterns. That investment will be financed through Spain’s share of the EU Coronavirus Recovery Fund."

https://reasonstobecheerful.world/spain-four-day-work-week-n...

(check out the graph "Annual working hours per worker" and see which country has the fewest working hours annually; you might be surprised)

And Microsoft Japan:

https://www.npr.org/2019/11/04/776163853/microsoft-japan-say...

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26495933

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=21919721

Re: A Hybrid Approach to Work

#32

Post by joshgel »

For what its worth, the A16Z boss talk podcast episode/clubhouse this week had everyone (incl Databricks CEO) basically agree with this model. Most people in the office 2-3 days/week. Some full remote.

Seems like that is the way the valley is headed.

Re: A Hybrid Approach to Work

#35

Post by bsilvereagle »

softwaredoug wrote: post #21

> 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. Nob…

> Nobody wants to go through the trouble of setting up a zoom for the 2 min conversation you have about a thing

I have set aside 30 minute blocks on my calendar for "drop-ins" for exactly this flavor of conversation. I'm the only person on the invite list, but others know about its existence and will find the link on my calendar as needed. Sometimes no one shows up, other days the block turns into an impromptu large group brainstorm, other times it's back-to-back 2 min conversations.

Re: A Hybrid Approach to Work

#36

Post by dboreham »

xyzelement wrote: post #16
eweise wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Aside from jobs that actually need to be done in person, I think it really comes down to leadership egos. Probably just feels good to walk by a sea of minions on your way to the corner office.

Yup that's exactly right. Google classifies office leases as "Ego stroking and miscellaneous". It's right there in the SEC filings.

Everyone interprets fancy office buildings in all industries in this context.

Re: A Hybrid Approach to Work

#37

Post by anonporridge »

Google234 wrote: post #3

That meeting room looks super uncomfortable and awkward. Why can’t they just use some simple criteria for coming back to work: if you have two vaccine shots + time for second shot you can come in to work (unless you have a medical/religious reason not to). Also, if everyone is vaccines can we do away with mask requirements?

> Also, if everyone is vaccines can we do away with mask requirements?

We still don't have any hard evidence that the vaccine stops transmission. It's possible that it keeps you from getting sick while being an asymptomatic spreader.

That's why we're still wearing masks even after vaccination until we have better understanding of how the vaccine affects transmission rates.

Re: A Hybrid Approach to Work

#38

Post by joshuamorton »

anonporridge wrote: post #37
Google234 wrote: post #3

That meeting room looks super uncomfortable and awkward. Why can’t they just use some simple criteria for coming back to work: if you have two vaccine shots + time for second shot you can come in to work (unless you have a medical/religious reason not to). Also, if everyone is vaccines can we do away with mask requirements?

> Also, if everyone is vaccines can we do away with mask requirements? We still don't have any hard evidence that the vaccine stops transmission. It's possible that it keeps you from getting sick while being an asymptomatic spreader. That's why we're still wearing masks even after vaccination until we have better understanding of how the vaccine affects transmission rates.

> We still don't have any hard evidence that the vaccine stops transmission. It's possible that it keeps you from getting sick while being an asymptomatic spreader.

Yes we do. I'm not sure that we have peer reviewed published A/B studies yet (but I think we do have some initial ones).

But there is absolutely hard evidence that trasmissions rates decrease among vaccinated populations. We saw this with population level testing among groups that got vaccinated.

Re: A Hybrid Approach to Work

#39

Post by solipsism »

srinivgp wrote: post #30
remir wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Google has never had a chopping block. And your speculations are wild. But hey, at least you have those two anecdotes.

Re: A Hybrid Approach to Work

#40

Post by [deleted] »

Aachen wrote: post #9
Google234 wrote: post #3

That meeting room looks super uncomfortable and awkward. Why can’t they just use some simple criteria for coming back to work: if you have two vaccine shots + time for second shot you can come in to work (unless you have a medical/religious reason not to). Also, if everyone is vaccines can we do away with mask requirements?

> if everyone is vaccines can we do away with mask requirements? From my understanding, yes as soon as positive tests in the country (or some wide area you're likely to mingle with) are near zero. Until then, there is the risk of someone (not yet vaccinated) who carries the virus developing a mutation that can then try itself on the immune system of a vaccinated person (you). It'll spread if it's resistent, so we sho…

[deleted]
Post reply on HN