[roland35]

I also had a fun experience in an open office, but the key element of it was that the office was only about 15-20 people and we were all on the same project and team.

When I visited the Big Tech office (as a remote employee), it was an entire floor with rows of unrelated people all together. My team was together but it felt much different, more distracting, and hard to have a conversation without feeling like you are bothering other people.

[AbstractH24]

I’m part of the minority of folks who think the value of in office outweighs the cost. Particularly amongst those who aren’t in management.

But only if you are working in close proximity to those working on the same projects and leadership going up at least two levels. (leadership, not management)

Why large companies with globally distributed teams see value in having employees in office sitting side by side in isolation is beyond me.

[keybored]

That you say “two levels” suggests formal hierarchy, which is management.

[AbstractH24]

I mean, not just the people who ensure ICs show up to work and complete their task, but the people who are responsible for determining strategy, vision, and direction.

Because there is bidirectional benefit in those people having casual interactions with ICs. Both as individuals and as a group.

[asdf6969]

> the value of in office outweighs the cost

For who? Your employer keeps all the value and only employees pay the cost. Why would I want this as an employee?