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Google is accelerating reopening of offices and putting limits on remote work

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Re: Google is accelerating reopening of offices and putting limits on remote work

#181

Post by izacus »

Valkhyr wrote: post #129

After a year working remotely, I don't think I'd be willing to go back to working fully (or even primarily) in the office. I could do a day here or there for team-building activities or major meetings, but that's pretty much the extent I'd be willing to do. Granted, this is based on having a 40-minutes train commute (each way, so 80 minutes/day), but unless I could have a 10 minute walk or bike commute I don't think…

I wonder how many people's opinions will change after a longer time. I wrote the exact same type of posts five years ago when I started my first fully remote job. After two years or so I had to look for an office because the isolation is just murderous and it takes a long amount of time to actually start showing its teeth.

Re: Google is accelerating reopening of offices and putting limits on remote work

#182

Post by wu_187 »

frongpik wrote: post #125
dividefuel wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

(Googler, opinions are my own) I don't think Google has really justified why the return to the office is necessary for all employees, beyond saying that it's a key part of the culture. Obviously the office is a part of the culture, and most employees want to be in the office at least some of the time. But to me, that doesn't explain why you can't offer a remote option for the employees who want it. A charitable expla…

Or even simpler: execs own super expensive real estate in the tech hubs and the only thing that supports the prices is the hoards of employees that have to live in the area.

This is the true answer. A lot of people have moved into far away (cheaper) bedroom communities to save money.

Also Google themselves would have a huge issue justifying their own real estate if people aren't in it "post covid". They are a publicly traded company so they would be forced to sell it off to appease investors.

All in all I think Google has shown it's true colors here. They don't have a damn about their employees. This reeks of boomer micromanaging 101.

I think that to fight this stockholders should push Alphabet to sell of their properties now. Should do the same with Amazon as well.

Re: Google is accelerating reopening of offices and putting limits on remote work

#183

Post by izacus »

lupire wrote: post #8
briga wrote: post #2

I'm guessing they found that employees aren't as productive when they not obliged to show up to the office every day. Not to mention when they're not provided with a steady stream of free food and coffee. Fourteen days a year seems pretty limited--weren't Googler's working from home more often than that before the pandemic?

That's quite speculative, considering how open offices are terrible for productivity but the companies still require it. Most likely it's just management bias.

Isn't your post about Google offices being terrible for productivity exactly the same amount of speculative? And likely just your personal bias towards your preferences?

Re: Google is accelerating reopening of offices and putting limits on remote work

#184

Post by turing_complete »

person_of_color wrote: post #105
tyingq wrote: post #104

And, now that they don't have to be first, Amazon is in: Amazon updates remote work guidance, plans to ‘return to an office-centric culture as our baseline’ https://www.geekwire.com/2021/amazon-updates-remote-work-gui... oof.

Today is a big disaster for those who foresaw changes in the workplace. Now we have only tier 2 companies (Dropbox/Spotify) who have gone full remote.

Microsoft has told staff that they will have the option of working from home permanently with manager approval.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54482245

Re: Google is accelerating reopening of offices and putting limits on remote work

#185

Post by DataJunkie »

muro wrote: post #161
nlitened wrote: post #152

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would imagine that in Google most managers would be former engineers. If that is true, there might be more to the story rather than introverts/extraverts split.

I don't think a decision like this is made by "most managers". This is probably a CEO decision.

This is a one size fits all "solution" designed at the top. That's all I am saying.

Re: Google is accelerating reopening of offices and putting limits on remote work

#188

Post by thefz »

tudorconstantin wrote: post #159
hyko wrote: post #140

When will introverts realise that their working conditions are being dictated to them by extroverts? The pandemic-driven remote working is hell for some people, and unfortunately they call the shots. I don’t mind coming into your office now and again (there’s a special dimension to IRL connections), but the reason I don’t want to work there full time is that it’s crap for knowledge work. I outspend you by 10x per hea…

I'm totally not an introvert: I love being around nice people, I love playing table tennis and having lunch with my colleagues. But wasting 1h-2h daily on commuting to/from work is in absolutely no way worthy of this. It's our duty as human beings to resist going back to the office as much as possible. To gain back some of the life we otherwise would spend on commute. Work is for work, not for socializing, or having…

> I'm totally not an introvert: I love being around nice people, I love playing table tennis and having lunch with my colleagues. But wasting 1h-2h daily on commuting to/from work is in absolutely no way worthy of this.

I commute 2x 40-50 minutes plus if I work at the office I have a forced 1h break, so around a little bit less than three hours of life have been given back to me during remote work. I understand your sentiment and I share it completely. I am now able to run errands, exercise, nap, clean the house, play video games, or work in my garage during this found again time. I often feel shy to admit that the pandemic-induced shift to remote work has given me back a lot. My boss lives a 5 minutes walk away and will never ever understand what it means to have to commute every day.

Re: Google is accelerating reopening of offices and putting limits on remote work

#189

Post by DataJunkie »

azurezyq wrote: post #32
tyingq wrote: post #4

That's interesting, since my assumption is that Google would be fairly data driven. I'd be curious if Googlers feel like this is because they are really seeing reduced productivity, or if there's a different motivation.

Disclaimer: Googler managing a small product engineering team. I have to say WFH has a considerable impact on productivity. Coding is actually fine, but the problems are: 1. Designing over VC is very difficult, especially for something entirely new. 3~4 people working on a single whiteboard is far more efficient. 2. Personal relationships are difficult to grow, especially for newbies. Usually those things got grown v…

Wow, that's sad.

Re: Google is accelerating reopening of offices and putting limits on remote work

#190

Post by wu_187 »

What nobody is saying is that covid is not going away. This is highly irresponsible of Google given they have all the research in the world showing that. They already have the ideal situation set up to mitigate the risk of getting and spreading it. The vaccines aren't and never claimed to be 100% effective against covid, and as new variants have emerged, it's looking more like covid is going to be the next annual flu, except with all of the worst symptoms of covid, which can include death.

Our administration needs to pass legislation to prevent companies from forcing people back into offices. This is rediculous.

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