Working from Home

[retiredguy123]

For the last 15 years of my career, I was allowed to work at home. I considered it a very significant benefit, and I was more effective and more efficient than most workers who worked in the office. Whenever someone called me, I answered the call on the first ring and I was available 24/7 to do almost anything. They would never get a voicemail that I was "away from my desk". If they needed me in the office, I could be there within 30 minutes.

I am confused by the recent news reports that some employees are refusing to come into the office to work. Really? If I was an employer, and I wanted my employees to work in the office, I would demand it, or they would be fired immediately. What is going on? I don't get it. Can someone please explain to me how an employee can tell their employer that they refuse to come into the office?

[MrChip72]

My team went fully remote early on in COVID (March 2021). I work on a small team supporting a particular line of business for the bank. 99% of the time we're all doing work on the computer or communicating with other people on other teams that don't even work in the same building. Even during COVID we maintained the same workload and deadlines as we did while working in the office. The tools available now to get the job done while not in the office are incredible now versus what was available even 10 years ago. A co-worker can share a document online and we can both live edit it at the same time with ease. Apps like Zoom often make meetings run more smoother than in person to the extent that even at in person meetings half the people are logged into Zoom to see the screen sharing more clearly.

About a year ago they asked us to return to the office 2 days a week with around 6 weeks notice. That was fine, but some people rightfully questioned "what's the point?". I now go into the office and half the time I'm at a desk doing Zoom meetings and most days have no real interaction with people on my time unless I bump into them in the coffee line downstairs.

I can understand the resentment on both sides. Sure the employer can threaten to fire people but skilled people in certain roles often aren't easy to replace, and replacing people has a huge cost of time and money. My job which is in high demand worldwide didn't even exist 20 years ago. Besides, firing people over wanting to make their half empty office look full isn't very smart for business when the bottom line ($$$) might suffer.

Short answer is that times have changed.

[Stu from NYC]

Years ago was purchasing manager for firm making office furniture.

During the course of a typical day had impromptu fast meetings with quite a few people. Would have been difficult to do this if many of us worked remotely.

[MrChip72]

Years ago was purchasing manager for firm making office furniture.

During the course of a typical day had impromptu fast meetings with quite a few people. Would have been difficult to do this if many of us worked remotely.

We actually do this quite regularly where some of the team is remote and some are in the office. Our team group chat has a "huddle" feature for impromptu meetings like that where it essentially creates a meeting at the click of a button and notifies everyone on the team. This is accessible by computer or smartphone.

Smartphones have really changed how people work now. When I was working in an office in the 90's I would have to say that communication was definitely not as good as it is now. If someone was gone from their desk for any period of time, you had no way of contacting them even for a quick question.

[Boomer]

Well. . .working from home is beginning to wreak havoc on office buildings where I come from. All the “space available” signs are a bit unnerving. A few are beginning to convert to condos and apartments, but probably not fast enough. Soon the maintenance will go…….

I remember the days when if you owned office or retail commercial property, you were well set.

Now, here we are. . .never more connected, yet never more disconnected.

Boomer

[MrFlorida]

Remember, if you can work from home, that home can be in India as well, be careful what you wish for...

[Stu from NYC]

We actually do this quite regularly where some of the team is remote and some are in the office. Our team group chat has a "huddle" feature for impromptu meetings like that where it essentially creates a meeting at the click of a button and notifies everyone on the team. This is accessible by computer or smartphone.

Smartphones have really changed how people work now. When I was working in an office in the 90's I would have to say that communication was definitely not as good as it is now. If someone was gone from their desk for any period of time, you had no way of contacting them even for a quick question.

My comment goes back just over 30 years ago when phones were not that smart.

[JMintzer]

My son in law is dying to get back in the office full time. He is much more productive when he can work with "his team" face to face, rather than playing telephone tag or sending countless emails...

But his company primarily still has a remote work policy...

My daughter (his wife) is back in the office 3 days a week, which has pros and cons...

[Stu from NYC]

My son in law is dying to get back in the office full time. He is much more productive when he can work with "his team" face to face, rather than playing telephone tag or sending countless emails...

But his company primarily still has a remote work policy...

My daughter (his wife) is back in the office 3 days a week, which has pros and cons...

Daughter goes in once a week, sil never, son and dil never go in.

The world has changed, not sure if this stay at home thing is good or bad but for me would rather work around others

[kp11364]

My department (IT) volunteered to go "full virtual" during the pandemic. It's stayed that way. Some people go in once a week (catch up with friends, have lunch together, etc) - but I'm far more productive now - I always had more teleconferences than "real" meetings, so no big difference for me. As far as working from home (from India) - while there may be equal technical knowledge, the institutional knowledge isn't there - luckily for me, IT turnover is *wayyyyyy* lower than other areas of the business, so it's up to us to understand how the business actually runs.

With that said, I really can't wait for the day I don't have to do business analysis and code any more! (Less than five years left!)

[MrChip72]

My comment goes back just over 30 years ago when phones were not that smart.

I've worked through the early 90's until now. The first 15 of that pre-dated smart phones. The whole office work life has changed more than anyone probably ever imagined since the early 90's. I remember when I started out fresh out of school and some of the older guys were complaining about the fairly "new" rule that they couldn't smoke in the office or at their desks anymore.

[Two Bills]

I very seldom go to see my doctor now, unless there is a physical examination required.
Since Covid, all business is conducted by phone.
Easier for them, and very convenient for my wife and I.
We have no problems with it at all.
Same with banking etc.
Very seldom ever see inside of buildings, or actually see a person, all done online.
Might start to worry a bit, if and when surgeons start working from home!

[mikeycereal]

I very seldom go to see my doctor now, unless there is a physical examination required.
Since Covid, all business is conducted by phone.
Easier for them, and very convenient for my wife and I.
We have no problems with it at all.
Same with banking etc.
Very seldom ever see inside of buildings, or actually see a person, all done online.
Might start to worry a bit, if and when surgeons start working from home!

Well as you may know they have robots doing surgery now with docs supervising but that could one day mean some may work from home. There may be at least one to stand there in case of emergency though but they may even fix that situation remotely too. Hey the robot did great for me while I was asleep as I far as was told. Hic! Hic! What's that noise? :duck:

[MidWestIA]

It started with I had to call into a meeting in India at 6am so hey I'm working from home then I'd wander into work after awhile still "working". My dept got really liberal didn't care when or where I worked just do your 8 hours. I tried just work from home you know what it was lonely and a little boring. I got so I went in each day for at least a few hours.

[rsmurano]

If you are in demand, you have flexibility to negotiate with your employer. If you are not in demand, then you follow what your employer asks of you or you quit.

The last 30+ years of my IT career I was in demand. When I was in the office, I would leave a couple times a week at 2-3 to play golf, or I’d get in around 9 because of waterskiing. The last 10+ years, I worked at home which was over 1000 miles from my boss and my coworkers were all over the world. I waterskied every day during my 2.5 hour lunch. I also played some tennis/pickleball in the mornings until 9.

Not a big deal during all those years. All my bosses knew work time would balance out in the long run. I would have midnight calls with clients/coworkers in Europe, china, and India. Or I’d have to get prepared to give a talk at a conference overseas which might have required long hours for a few weeks. What mattered most was my job output, not the amount of hours at a desk.

Some people can’t be productive working at home. I eventually had to let an employee go when they abused the privilege of working home 1 day a week 20 years ago. (Taking away the work at home privilege started a long trail of bad habits).
Also, some companies just want to micro manage their employees and the only way they can do that is to have them at their desk in the office.

[retiredguy123]

If you are in demand, you have flexibility to negotiate with your employer. If you are not in demand, then you follow what your employer asks of you or you quit.

The last 30+ years of my IT career I was in demand. When I was in the office, I would leave a couple times a week at 2-3 to play golf, or I’d get in around 9 because of waterskiing. The last 10+ years, I worked at home which was over 1000 miles from my boss and my coworkers were all over the world. I waterskied every day during my 2.5 hour lunch. I also played some tennis/pickleball in the mornings until 9.

Not a big deal during all those years. All my bosses knew work time would balance out in the long run. I would have midnight calls with clients/coworkers in Europe, china, and India. Or I’d have to get prepared to give a talk at a conference overseas which might have required long hours for a few weeks. What mattered most was my job output, not the amount of hours at a desk.

Some people can’t be productive working at home. I eventually had to let an employee go when they abused the privilege of working home 1 day a week 20 years ago. (Taking away the work at home privilege started a long trail of bad habits).
Also, some companies just want to micro manage their employees and the only way they can do that is to have them at their desk in the office.
Thanks. I can understand how a work at home plan works in a "for profit" business. I had a Federal Government job, and I relocated from Georgia to northern Virginia without a promotion, but I had a firm agreement that I could work from home in Virginia. This was when it was almost unheard of to work at home. It was a huge benefit to me because I no longer had to sit in an office for 8 hours doing nothing and waiting for quiting time. In the Government, there are very few employees who are "in demand" as you phrased it because many offices are extremely overstaffed and the Government doesn't need to make a profit. So the work at home plan in the Government will make it virtually impossible to measure performance.

[HospitalCoder]

For the last 15 years of my career, I was allowed to work at home. I considered it a very significant benefit, and I was more effective and more efficient than most workers who worked in the office. Whenever someone called me, I answered the call on the first ring and I was available 24/7 to do almost anything. They would never get a voicemail that I was "away from my desk". If they needed me in the office, I could be there within 30 minutes.

I am confused by the recent news reports that some employees are refusing to come into the office to work. Really? If I was an employer, and I wanted my employees to work in the office, I would demand it, or they would be fired immediately. What is going on? I don't get it. Can someone please explain to me how an employee can tell their employer that they refuse to come into the office?

I’ve been working remotely for almost 20 years. I now work from out of state so coming on site would be impossible but if I did still live locally, I would quit before going on site as would several others. In the current job market, we are not easily replaceable so I don’t see it ever happening. That is effectively what remote workers are doing. They are saying no, if that’s what you want, I’m out of here. Find someone else. Nothing wrong with that. If an employee doesn’t stand up for what they want, they will never get it. If it’s that important to the employer and they can find someone with the same job skills, they can foolishly let skill and experience slip through their fingers and they will rue the day they had to have their own way.

[MarkD1981]

For the last 15 years of my career, I was allowed to work at home. I considered it a very significant benefit, and I was more effective and more efficient than most workers who worked in the office. Whenever someone called me, I answered the call on the first ring and I was available 24/7 to do almost anything. They would never get a voicemail that I was "away from my desk". If they needed me in the office, I could be there within 30 minutes.

I am confused by the recent news reports that some employees are refusing to come into the office to work. Really? If I was an employer, and I wanted my employees to work in the office, I would demand it, or they would be fired immediately. What is going on? I don't get it. Can someone please explain to me how an employee can tell their employer that they refuse to come into the office?

Employees can refuse when they think they are hard to replace which often is the case. This is slowly changing as the labor market normalizes.

[Switter]

Employment today is completely "at will", meaning the employer or the employee can end the relationship (unless there is a contract) at any time for any reason that does not violate EEOC laws. So if an employee wants to refuse to come in, that is their prerogative. If an employer wants to fire that employee, that too is their prerogative. I am full-time remote and moved out of the state where my office is (with my employer's approval). If they called us back into the office I would have to decide whether to push back, find another job, or sell my house and move back. In this day and age there is zero loyalty between employees and employers and necessity dictates who holds the advantage. It's not necessarily right or wrong, it's just the nature of employment today. I am a software developer and finding qualified people is increasingly difficult for employers. That gives me the advantage (for right now at least). Before I would go through the whole mess of selling my new house in the villages and moving back to where I came from, I would definitely start interviewing for another job. I am not sure why people think I have some intrinsic duty to prioritize the needs of my employer over my own, other than to perform the duties that I agreed too when hired. It's not like a family business, it's a faceless corporation and each will do what is in their own best interest. Again, not good or bad just the nature of employment today.

[deborahcme]

I was a work from home worker before it was a thing. As a freelance writer, training consultant, I've worked both in and out of the office. Here's what I note: Productivity is a thing not easily measured. I've seen workers at their desks doing everything but work during work hours. There's a real agony associated with having to stay at your desk till 5, even though there may be no actually work to do. Efficient use of time is better served when you can work from home--not spending up to an hour or more commuting. For those with kids or who serve as the caregiver for a parent or others, the stress level associated with being an hour or more away when problems crop up is eliminated. When a good portion of the workforce is not clogging up the highways in the am and pm rush, everyone benefits. . Yes there are "cons" to it, and for some jobs (public in person facing jobs) it just won't work. But employees who have been able to experience the real benefits associated with work from home are, in my humble opinion, right to question what may seem like an employer's arbitrary demand to return the entire workforce to an X days a week, X hours a day schedule for no other reason than that's the way it used to be. The workforce is changing. Technology is making that transition better. Workers can be productive, and employers can reap benefits as well. We now have downtowns that are alive during the day and (in the business districts) mostly dead at night. We have suburban areas that are dead during the day and alive at night. it would be nice to have a better mix of use for these areas. Compromise between employers and employees seems to be the way to go.

[jojoturf]

It was a huge benefit to work from home back in the day — a rarity for the communication company where I worked. A weekly productivity report was required to management in order to prove our worth. Clearly worked harder from home, 12 hr days. No in-office social nonsense. I’ve observed remote workers now at the pool on conference calls or taking incoming calls while catching the rays. It’s a good gig if you can pull it off!

[BlueStarAirlines]

Thanks. I can understand how a work at home plan works in a "for profit" business. I had a Federal Government job, and I relocated from Georgia to northern Virginia without a promotion, but I had a firm agreement that I could work from home in Virginia. This was when it was almost unheard of to work at home. It was a huge benefit to me because I no longer had to sit in an office for 8 hours doing nothing and waiting for quiting time. In the Government, there are very few employees who are "in demand" as you phrased it because many offices are extremely overstaffed and the Government doesn't need to make a profit. So the work at home plan in the Government will make it virtually impossible to measure performance.

I'm a current Government employee working from home in The Villages...just recently relocated from Northern Virginia. You must have been out of the Government for some time because its VERY easy to measure performance. I do it every day with the 20 people that work for me....and my boss for me.

The bottom line is one measures performance, so are tasks completed, are deliverables...delivered, are mandatory tasks for employees (training, etc) completed, I can see employee metrics for the last hour, day, week, and month. With business tools such as Teams, Sharepoint, etc there is constant connectivity. As a manager, I see the calendars and schedules, and when one is online or away. I have more visibility being online than if I was a supervisor in the office.

So, to say "work at home plan in the Government will make it virtually impossible to measure performance" is a statement based on dated information. The Government from 3 years ago is not the same as today.

[retiredguy123]

I'm a current Government employee working from home in The Villages...just recently relocated from Northern Virginia. You must have been out of the Government for some time because its VERY easy to measure performance. I do it every day with the 20 people that work for me....and my boss for me.

The bottom line is one measures performance, so are tasks completed, are deliverables...delivered, are mandatory tasks for employees (training, etc) completed, I can see employee metrics for the last hour, day, week, and month. With business tools such as Teams, Sharepoint, etc there is constant connectivity. As a manager, I see the calendars and schedules, and when one is online or away. I have more visibility being online than if I was a supervisor in the office.

So, to say "work at home plan in the Government will make it virtually impossible to measure performance" is a statement based on dated information. The Government from 3 years ago is not the same as today.
Thanks. I think it depends on which agency you work for, and whether or not you have measurable tasks. But, the biggest difference between the Government and the private sector is that the Government can spend as much money as they want and still stay in business. That is why we have a huge national debt.

[Dilligas]

Unfortunately many of today's workers can not communicate...they can only text in short sentences or statements. Depending on the job, face to face and phone communication is very necessary, so putting the workers together in a work place is becoming necessary. Getting that accomplished is becoming challenging due to workforce shortage and worker's vision of his company's requirements and job qualifications.

[Red Rose]

It’s nice to have flexibility in the workplace. Especially when there are children involved. As long as you’re doing the work and the boss is satisfied, what difference does it make if you’re at home or in the office.

[Professor]

For the last 15 years of my career, I was allowed to work at home. I considered it a very significant benefit, and I was more effective and more efficient than most workers who worked in the office. Whenever someone called me, I answered the call on the first ring and I was available 24/7 to do almost anything. They would never get a voicemail that I was "away from my desk". If they needed me in the office, I could be there within 30 minutes.

I am confused by the recent news reports that some employees are refusing to come into the office to work. Really? If I was an employer, and I wanted my employees to work in the office, I would demand it, or they would be fired immediately. What is going on? I don't get it. Can someone please explain to me how an employee can tell their employer that they refuse to come into the office?

Depends on the field, but many workers today just don't care what the employer wants. They want to work from home and that's it. They should be fired, in my opinion, but with a lack of replacement workers willing to commute to an office each day the employer may be stuck without enough bodies to get the work done. If it was my business I would let them go...

[Bonanza]

What started this thread, I believe, was because of the new Amazon requirement regarding returning to work. However, there are only four locations where this requirement was going to be in effect.

As I understand it, these four locations required workers to move and that was the real issue/problem. If I am wrong about this, please correct me. However, if this information is correct, I don't blame the workers who don't want to move to satisfy Amazon's wanting workers to return to an office.

[retiredguy123]

What started this thread, I believe, was because of the new Amazon requirement regarding returning to work. However, there are only four locations where this requirement was going to be in effect.

As I understand it, these four locations required workers to move and that was the real issue/problem. If I am wrong about this, please correct me. However, if this information is correct, I don't blame the workers who don't want to move to satisfy Amazon's wanting workers to return to an office.
Not really. I am just amazed that any company cannot tell their employees to show up at the office and it is an issue. My position would be to work in the office or find another job. Period. But, apparently, times have changed.

[Bonanza]

Not really. I am just amazed that any company cannot tell their employees to show up at the office and it is an issue. My position would be to work in the office or find another job. Period. But, apparently, times have changed.

I'm not sure I understand your message. "Not really" what?
Are you saying that what I conveyed regarding Amazon's new "return to work policy" is incorrect?

I was not asking for anyone's "position," because most of the comments do that, including yours. But if what I said about Amazon's policy is correct, my opinion is that I don't blame anyone for not wanting to move, probably a pretty good distance from where they currently live, considering there are only four locations in the country where this will be a "back to work" office.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

In my experience, there are several factors around working from home vs in the office, and it’s never a black and white scenario:

1) Introverts vs extroverts
2) Client facing vs back office work
3) Micromanagers vs employee developers mgmt style
3.5) Employees who need help with home office work life balance/ separation
4) New/young employees vs experienced, above average performing employees with size of team
5) Measurement of work and trust / manager capability
6) laptops and computer software and IT skills of individuals and the company

CoachK’s team went from office 5 days to fully remote and still is, BUT the extroverts want some office time together so optional in office days together, the team member 1,000 mi away flies in one or two times a year. Meetings with other hospital teams are virtual, as they also had phone dial in meetings for nearly all major teams prior to the pandemic.

So, there are many industry unique factors as well as human factors to make these decisions. One size doesn’t fit everyone everywhere.

At my last job, extrovert micromanager VP wanted in office days all week, after his firing, introvert capable director wanted all at home days.

[b]Pick your poison![\b]

[CoachKandSportsguy]

When I was hired at my last company, the outgoing finance director told people when they could leave for the evening each day and measured desk time.

He had a hard time with remote Friday’s prior to the pandemic, admitted he didn’t understand it, but always missed his forecast by more than 10% and CFO finally had enough, replaced him with my boss and I from another division

[Caymus]

I'm not sure I understand your message. "Not really" what?
Are you saying that what I conveyed regarding Amazon's new "return to work policy" is incorrect?

I was not asking for anyone's "position," because most of the comments do that, including yours. But if what I said about Amazon's policy is correct, my opinion is that I don't blame anyone for not wanting to move, probably a pretty good distance from where they currently live, considering there are only four locations in the country where this will be a "back to work" office.

Amazon has over hired during the past few years. The policy may also be an attempt to reduce head count.

[Stu from NYC]

Amazon has over hired during the past few years. The policy may also be an attempt to reduce head count.

Would not be surprised

[Bonanza]

Amazon has over hired during the past few years. The policy may also be an attempt to reduce head count.

That makes sense!

[retiredguy123]

///

[retiredguy123]

I'm not sure I understand your message. "Not really" what?
Are you saying that what I conveyed regarding Amazon's new "return to work policy" is incorrect?

I was not asking for anyone's "position," because most of the comments do that, including yours. But if what I said about Amazon's policy is correct, my opinion is that I don't blame anyone for not wanting to move, probably a pretty good distance from where they currently live, considering there are only four locations in the country where this will be a "back to work" office.
To clarify, you implied that the Amazon situation had something do with "starting this thread". I started the thread, but I didn't even know about the Amazon situation.

[Bonanza]

To clarify, you implied that the Amazon situation had something do with "starting this thread". I started the thread, but I didn't even know about the Amazon situation.

Sorry, but I assumed the thread was started because of what is currently happening with Amazon and their wanting employees to return to the workplace.

It sounded (to me) as though that was the impetus for the thread.
I was wrong once! :1rotfl:

[Sandy and Ed]

My team went fully remote early on in COVID (March 2021). I work on a small team supporting a particular line of business for the bank. 99% of the time we're all doing work on the computer or communicating with other people on other teams that don't even work in the same building. Even during COVID we maintained the same workload and deadlines as we did while working in the office. The tools available now to get the job done while not in the office are incredible now versus what was available even 10 years ago. A co-worker can share a document online and we can both live edit it at the same time with ease. Apps like Zoom often make meetings run more smoother than in person to the extent that even at in person meetings half the people are logged into Zoom to see the screen sharing more clearly.

About a year ago they asked us to return to the office 2 days a week with around 6 weeks notice. That was fine, but some people rightfully questioned "what's the point?". I now go into the office and half the time I'm at a desk doing Zoom meetings and most days have no real interaction with people on my time unless I bump into them in the coffee line downstairs.

I can understand the resentment on both sides. Sure the employer can threaten to fire people but skilled people in certain roles often aren't easy to replace, and replacing people has a huge cost of time and money. My job which is in high demand worldwide didn't even exist 20 years ago. Besides, firing people over wanting to make their half empty office look full isn't very smart for business when the bottom line ($$$) might suffer.

Short answer is that times have changed.
Employers like to see employees on the job visually (not sipping booze watching tv until the phone rings), maybe don’t want the lost opportunity for the employees to sporadically assume some additional duty at the office, etc. The other side of the coin for the employer is a pretty big cost saving in office space should they continue “work from home”. Benefits to the employee are immense. Frankly I like it when my calls are answered right away from the employee’s home. I don’t even mind the occasional baby crying, dog barking, etc. Unfortunately I have often waited as long as 10 minutes for a person to come on the line only to find they were working from home (customer service line for some window treatments).

[Normal]

Well. . .working from home is beginning to wreak havoc on office buildings where I come from. All the “space available” signs are a bit unnerving. A few are beginning to convert to condos and apartments, but probably not fast enough. Soon the maintenance will go…….

I remember the days when if you owned office or retail commercial property, you were well set.

Now, here we are. . .never more connected, yet never more disconnected.

Boomer

Commercial real estate is the number one “No, no” in investing right now. Several banks have foreclosures on commercial real estate. The market will have pieces laying around for years to come. Closing and closed shopping malls aren’t going to help the situation either. The ugliness of the buildings or dead skeletons will be around for some time.

[Maker]

In a large meeting, a VP praised a certain employee (by name) for putting in extra effort, often staying past 5:00, and carrying more than their share.
That employee was awful, and VP comment destroyed moral because most knew how bad that guy was.
I was good friends with the VP, and mentioned the praised employee rarely arrives before 10am, took 2 hour lunches, and their work was lousy. Calling him out because he was seen hanging around late was flat out wrong. Most others people arrived before 7am, worked while eating lunch, and their 9+ hour day ended after 4pm; and they were now starting to take a real lunch, changing to a 10-5 schedule too, and taking long breaks to chit chat with friends.

Some managers are clueless. Some never understand how the workplace has changed in recent years. Some fail to understand that a lot of jobs involve 100% remote activity, and there is zero difference where that person sits. Some never realize people work longer hours, and have better productivity without all those mini-meetings, office chats, etc.

[Stu from NYC]

In a large meeting, a VP praised a certain employee (by name) for putting in extra effort, often staying past 5:00, and carrying more than their share.
That employee was awful, and VP comment destroyed moral because most knew how bad that guy was.
I was good friends with the VP, and mentioned the praised employee rarely arrives before 10am, took 2 hour lunches, and their work was lousy. Calling him out because he was seen hanging around late was flat out wrong. Most others people arrived before 7am, worked while eating lunch, and their 9+ hour day ended after 4pm; and they were now starting to take a real lunch, changing to a 10-5 schedule too, and taking long breaks to chit chat with friends.

Some managers are clueless. Some never understand how the workplace has changed in recent years. Some fail to understand that a lot of jobs involve 100% remote activity, and there is zero difference where that person sits. Some never realize people work longer hours, and have better productivity without all those mini-meetings, office chats, etc.

Have worked with people who loved to have meetings. Mostly a huge waste of time.

One in particular would talk almost the entire time telling stories we have heard enough that we could tell the story. Basically he was in love with the sound of his voice.

[patfla06]

Daughter goes in once a week, sil never, son and dil never go in.

The world has changed, not sure if this stay at home thing is good or bad but for me would rather work around others

I’m with you on I’d rather work in the office with others.

I get sick of being home & not seeing others.

[Stu from NYC]

I’m with you on I’d rather work in the office with others.

I get sick of being home & not seeing others.

Get rather lonely sitting on computer all day with nobody around

[CoachKandSportsguy]

I’m with you on I’d rather work in the office with others.

I get sick of being home & not seeing others.

Extrovert desires. .

myself, strong introvert, could care less about seeing others. .

didn't help with my job, and if I needed questions, i would call them using a phone, . . . not everyone is in the same office building, nor in the same state. .

[Salty Dog]

Now, here we are. . .never more connected, yet never more disconnected.

Boomer

Well said...

[Salty Dog]

Have worked with people who loved to have meetings. Mostly a huge waste of time.

One in particular would talk almost the entire time telling stories we have heard enough that we could tell the story. Basically he was in love with the sound of his voice.

Describes many a meeting I've attended: The Abilene paradox is a collective fallacy, in which a group of people collectively decide on a course of action that is counter to the preferences of most or all individuals in the group, while each individual believes it to be aligned with the preferences of most of the others.

[Stu from NYC]

Describes many a meeting I've attended: The Abilene paradox is a collective fallacy, in which a group of people collectively decide on a course of action that is counter to the preferences of most or all individuals in the group, while each individual believes it to be aligned with the preferences of most of the others.

Years ago, the manager of a division that I worked in actually hired a consulting to teach us how to hold a meeting.

Always have an agenda and never do improptu meetings.

He hated the idea that me the purchasing manager would walk over to the production manager and in 30 seconds decide on a plan and execute it.

[retiredguy123]

Years ago, the manager of a division that I worked in actually hired a consulting to teach us how to hold a meeting.

Always have an agenda and never do improptu meetings.

He hated the idea that me the purchasing manager would walk over to the production manager and in 30 seconds decide on a plan and execute it.
I remember attending a meeting where a Government contractor with muddy boots and a hard hat showed up to discuss a $2,000 claim with the contracting officer, a Lieutenant Colonel, on a small construction contract. Before the meeting started, 15 Government employees showed up, including 3 lawyers wearing suits. I whispered to the contracting officer that he needed to tell everyone to leave so we could resolve the claim. He did.

[Stu from NYC]

I remember attending a meeting where a Government contractor with muddy boots and a hard hat showed up to discuss a $2,000 claim with the contracting officer, a Lieutenant Colonel, on a small construction contract. Before the meeting started, 15 Government employees showed up, including 3 lawyers wearing suits. I whispered to the contracting officer that he needed to tell everyone to leave so we could resolve the claim. He did.

Good for you

[cjrjck]

It's a different work ethic today. Not saying it is better or worse, just different. Last decade, we had trouble getting people to work overtime even though it was a condition of employment. Additionally, flex time and flex place became the norm. Any attempt to change this was met with stiff resistance.

[Stu from NYC]

It's a different work ethic today. Not saying it is better or worse, just different. Last decade, we had trouble getting people to work overtime even though it was a condition of employment. Additionally, flex time and flex place became the norm. Any attempt to change this was met with stiff resistance.

Do not understand that attitude. Many people live paycheck to paycheck and extra money could be the difference between having a place to live and living in a car.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Years ago, the manager of a division that I worked in actually hired a consulting to teach us how to hold a meeting.

Always have an agenda and never do improptu meetings.

He hated the idea that me the purchasing manager would walk over to the production manager and in 30 seconds decide on a plan and execute it.

Love it!

That is the definition of efficient meeting, knows their job, can make decisions, and has the company goals in mind instead of their own goals. .

I was asked to do a performance review on a non direct report.
I performed the evaluation, and then to "normalize" a baseline for my evaluation, the survey asked me to rank certain items important to me. .

I ranked "execution" and team work as my number one and two criteria for success. .

too many people think that team work means meetings and that the whole team has be involved, but that is not always the case, as each person just has to perform their team assigned job properly, and the larger the meeting is to get agreement for a solution, the harder it is to get agreement and execute without strong leadership.

[dtennent]

I have a bias since I worked in Research and Development my entire career. Obviously, it is hard to do sophisticated lab work or run a pilot line from home. Aside from that, there were a number of times when I overheard conversations either in the hallway or in the cafeteria that involved people outside of my team or direct reports. These inputs lead to inspirations on how to solve problems that my team was facing. I don't know how you can properly assign value to the overheard comment or the chance meeting of someone that leads to further the innovative process. Giving an employee the opportunity to work from home to take care of a sick child is an important exception. However, given that I have lead projects that took research ideas and converted them into products, I can't imagine how that could be done from home in Research and Development.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

I have a bias since I worked in Research and Development my entire career. Obviously, it is hard to do sophisticated lab work or run a pilot line from home. Aside from that, there were a number of times when I overheard conversations either in the hallway or in the cafeteria that involved people outside of my team or direct reports. These inputs lead to inspirations on how to solve problems that my team was facing. I don't know how you can properly assign value to the overheard comment or the chance meeting of someone that leads to further the innovative process. Giving an employee the opportunity to work from home to take care of a sick child is an important exception. However, given that I have lead projects that took research ideas and converted them into products, I can't imagine how that could be done from home in Research and Development.

Agree, there are always unique circumstances for every job or industry, etc.

My list in my post was not exhaustive, but had many variables to show that it's never black and white or a simple as people want to make it. .

[mtdjed]

Remember, if you can work from home, that home can be in India as well, be careful what you wish for...

Good answer.

Kind of like asking for higher wages at a grocery store to checkout customers. There are alternatives that even your smile and good performance may not keep you employed.

Remember, that not all jobs can be done at home. Perhaps management should reserve that right. Sometimes facetime with employees and management serves valuable benefits.

I can recall situations in my career where I helped develop critical Multi Million dollar proposals for aircraft engines and support (A couple were in 100's of millions). Potential customers were constantly visiting facilities requiring tours) you needed to be there.

Also gave me exposure to higher management which can lead to promotion.

If the opportunity avails itself to you, good luck and fortune.