[mikhael28]

Remote works for some people, for most it probably doesn't work. There is a reason why everyone doesn't have six pack abs - the same reason why people are, in general, more 'productive' when they have people in their immediate vicinity to hold them accountable.

Instead of having the possibility of playing videogames at home, while being online on Slack.

It's kinda common sense - humans have a limited amount of willpower they can expend daily, and it generally takes a lot of willpower to not slack off - especially if your job is boring as hell. Dev work isn't very boring, because it's kind of like art - but you better believe a lot of 'remote' work is mind-numbingly boring.

[ipaddr]

If I can't trust you to work on your own whether it is in the office or at home you are not someone I want to hire. Babysitting employees is a waste of resources.

[mikhael28]

Agreed! For high functioning employees. Unfortunately, there is a reason that managers... exist. If everyone was capable of self management, well society would look a lot different.

[flappyeagle]

I can't trust ME to stay on task when there are so many distractions at home.

[mikhael28]

You sound a bit sarcastic, but the fact of the matter is that its somewhat true.

Go to a college campus, go observe a freshman/sophomore level lecture for a general education (read: fluff) class, then take a look to see what percentage of students are diligently taking notes vs doing literally anything else.

A lot of people are on task, and a lot are browsing the web, playing games, on their phones.

[mikhael28]

Also, the reasons mentioned in this thread of execs trying to re-establish previous power hierarchies pre-COVID.

[mikhael28]

I personally believe that people are more productive in person together, but there are some important caveats: a. the commute must be quick and pain free b. you must enjoy the people you work with c. you must have work that is inherently collaborative, or at least partially collaborative. If it's not fully collaborative, you should work remotely part of the time. d. perks, like an office gym, free lunch, are bonuses that the company can give to help you offset the time/expense of commutes. Free parking is a must.

If you don't have these things... the argument for working in person is low. You should either work somewhere else, or work remotely and save $$$ and time.

[flappyeagle]

Why do you think execs have less power remotely?

[mikhael28]

They are just another face on a screen. Completely ignores thousands of years of evolution that proves that people behave completely different when they are in the same room as someone.

As a silly, anecdotal example - consider the phrase 'smile in my face, then stab me in the back'. People are quick to talk trash about someone when they aren't in the same room, but act completely different when in person.

Executives rely on this to enforce favorable behavior in the workplace.

[flappyeagle]

Other than at startups of less than 100 people I have seldom been in the same room as an exec