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We Can't Let People Work from Home, for Stupid Reasons

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Re: We Can't Let People Work from Home, for Stupid Reasons

#21

Post by tablespoonsruby »

lastofthemojito wrote: post #12

I think a lot of the responses to the straw man's questions are reasonable and thoughtful. But I think this sentiment: >I don't want to change the way I work, I just want people to join me in the office. My kids are driving me crazy. Is it weird to say I'm lonely; I miss my office friends. Deserves more respect. There are lot of types of people out there, and it seems like at least some of them are energized by being…

In the same way that most people don't want to pair program full time, but it's perfectly legitimate for a company to decide it wants to be a full-time pairing shop if they think it's important enough to limit their hiring pool to people who want to pair program, it's perfectly legitimate for a company to decide it does not want to be remote.

Re: We Can't Let People Work from Home, for Stupid Reasons

#22

Post by EveYoung »

robbie-c wrote: post #6

I've tried a bunch of online whiteboard tools to design stuff (where stuff could be system architecture, UI, a business process, whatever), and nothing beats a whiteboard + post-its. Maybe I'm doing it wrong, it's possible, and I'd love to have some great counter-examples. Until then, I think that teams that can meet up in person will, on average, win over those who can't. Other days I just have long list of individu…

For me, a hybrid system combines the worst aspects of both worlds. I think employees should get clear commitments on WFH days so they can decide if they want to move out of the city.

For example, I wouldn't mind moving from my apartment in central London to a commuter town to have a garden and dedicated home office. But that would only be possible if days in the office are limited.

Re: We Can't Let People Work from Home, for Stupid Reasons

#23

Post by _6pvr »

ryandrake wrote: post #17
MattGaiser wrote: post #3

> I can't imagine another day of long Zoom meetings. The pandemic really reinforced to me that so many of these are pointless, at least for many participants. I have played games with co-workers, gone to sleep, done freelance work, had lunch (away from my desk), and all manner of other things through pretty much every meeting over 1 hour that I have had this pandemic. Especially the ceremonies like retro (exercise in…

This one, I just don't get at all. If you have nothing to contribute to a meeting, and nothing to gain from listening, why are you joining the meeting to begin with? Just decline like a grown-up and get some actual work done. It doesn't do anyone any good to have you there on mute with the volume turned down, getting actual work done in the background. Nobody is going to notice you're gone, and if they do, who cares?…

> why are you joining the meeting to begin with?

At companies that misuse meetings, most meetings are not optional to attend. Of course you could say "Well just don't go", but some people don't like getting fired over things like this.

> Just decline like a grown-up and get some actual work done

What a condescending way to communicate.

Re: We Can't Let People Work from Home, for Stupid Reasons

#24

Post by MattGaiser »

lastofthemojito wrote: post #12

I think a lot of the responses to the straw man's questions are reasonable and thoughtful. But I think this sentiment: >I don't want to change the way I work, I just want people to join me in the office. My kids are driving me crazy. Is it weird to say I'm lonely; I miss my office friends. Deserves more respect. There are lot of types of people out there, and it seems like at least some of them are energized by being…

WFH opinion seems to split between people who see work as where you achieve corporate goals for pay and those who see it as a far more encompassing mixture of human experience.

Re: We Can't Let People Work from Home, for Stupid Reasons

#25

Post by andrewflnr »

donretag wrote: post #15

"You can choose your friends independently of your work" I have met the majority of my friends at work. Once you pass your 20s, your exposure to strangers diminishes greatly. And many of us do not have kids.

I think this is something that society can adjust to and be better off for it. People would have to be more intentional about meeting new people (seeking out meetups or whatever), but the results are likely to be better.

Re: We Can't Let People Work from Home, for Stupid Reasons

#27

Post by EduardoBautista »

MattGaiser wrote: post #3

> I can't imagine another day of long Zoom meetings. The pandemic really reinforced to me that so many of these are pointless, at least for many participants. I have played games with co-workers, gone to sleep, done freelance work, had lunch (away from my desk), and all manner of other things through pretty much every meeting over 1 hour that I have had this pandemic. Especially the ceremonies like retro (exercise in…

I agree a lot with your comment. No amount of planning or estimates will ever change that a feature will be done when it's done.

My previous job had about a 4th of the total work week dedicated to meetings. As someone with ADHD, this was very difficult for me. What made matters worse is that they were sometimes spread out and I could lose an entire day of productivity and I was just unable to work when my meds ran out and there was a shortage in the entire country (Mexico).

I am now back to contracting and my client just lists out the requirements in a document and I code away and have been VERY productive. No meetings or calls since I have started working with them 3 weeks ago.

Re: We Can't Let People Work from Home, for Stupid Reasons

#28

Post by hobs »

ryandrake wrote: post #17
MattGaiser wrote: post #3

> I can't imagine another day of long Zoom meetings. The pandemic really reinforced to me that so many of these are pointless, at least for many participants. I have played games with co-workers, gone to sleep, done freelance work, had lunch (away from my desk), and all manner of other things through pretty much every meeting over 1 hour that I have had this pandemic. Especially the ceremonies like retro (exercise in…

This one, I just don't get at all. If you have nothing to contribute to a meeting, and nothing to gain from listening, why are you joining the meeting to begin with? Just decline like a grown-up and get some actual work done. It doesn't do anyone any good to have you there on mute with the volume turned down, getting actual work done in the background. Nobody is going to notice you're gone, and if they do, who cares?…

This is the type of thing my CEO says, and then shows up to meetings with a black screen, muted, and does not respond to any inquiries while things are going on (so nobody directs anything to him) - but if you dont show up to the meeting he will message you and ask where are you?

Re: We Can't Let People Work from Home, for Stupid Reasons

#29

Post by tester756 »

>But we are paying all this money for office space, I don't want to waste that.

let's rearrange office into gym, pub, strip club or something else and let's increase profits!

Anyway, my co-workers want hybrid approach, 1-2day office, rest home, with exceptions for ppl that have long commute (tiny minority) - they can 100% remote.

It sounds relatively reasonable

Re: We Can't Let People Work from Home, for Stupid Reasons

#30

Post by [deleted] »

MattGaiser wrote: post #3

> I can't imagine another day of long Zoom meetings. The pandemic really reinforced to me that so many of these are pointless, at least for many participants. I have played games with co-workers, gone to sleep, done freelance work, had lunch (away from my desk), and all manner of other things through pretty much every meeting over 1 hour that I have had this pandemic. Especially the ceremonies like retro (exercise in…

[deleted]
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