[WheelsAtLarge]

People think this is similar to the outsourcing trend of the past. No this is bigger than that. The big difference is that in the past there was a difference between outsourced vs working from the office employees. This time there will be no difference. All employees will be the same and employees will be employed based on merit to the company without any stigma.

Also, it's going to be a long time before we go back to normal so companies will need to adapt. Once things change to work from home first it will be hard to go back to an office only work environment.

[ta17711771]

There will still continue to be large gaps in command of operating language, and baseline skills.

[WheelsAtLarge]

But that's part of my point, people will be hired based on their abilities and how much they contribute to the company now. That was not necessarily the case in the past. And the reality now is that there are parts in the US that have a low cost of living that are now open for people to work from.

I know that I would be willing to work from a low cost coast city if I only need to show up to my office 1 or 2 times a month. I'm even willing to get paid a bit less.

[nnoitra]

Software engineering salaries will go significantly down as a result of this, wont they?

[WheelsAtLarge]

Yup, top notch engineer will always get paid well but most salaries will fall. 1st the engineering pool will increase both due to the distance between employees and employers not being a big obstacle and more people who can choose it as a career will choose it. 2nd engineers can now live in a lower cost community and will be willing to settle for a lower salary.

As always employer will look to pay the least so they will do their best to push salaries down when ever they can.

But keep in mind it will still be a well paid job when compared to other careers.