Four day work weeks sound good but since being remote from 2019 I could never go back to working in an office.
Seems like a case of one step forward, two steps back
Seems like a case of one step forward, two steps back
Being in the office for the first time in my career showed me that there are definitely upsides, especially when you get along with your team really well.
Though 100% mandatory office time is BS.
I think the fact it's your first time has a big impact. Give it time. Any time I start a new job I enjoy being in the office for the first 6-12 months. Once it becomes routine (same commute, same lunch, same people) and you have learnt how to do your job (and rely on others less) it becomes much less attractive. I'm not saying you'd go full remote but I would bet you will go hybrid and transition further remote over time. This is what I've seen happen with all of my colleagues (including people I thought would jump straight back to the office post-pandemic).
In the US, COVID cases are five times higher than this time last year, and the CDC estimates that 1 in 5 will result in long COVID.
This scolding "I'm not sure exactly how, yet, but you'll be sorry!" any time anyone admits that they're no longer hiding inside & wiping down every banana with bleach is getting a little tired.
But not 5 days a week, no.
Take that time back, go use it to go on a walk or exercise. You'll thank yourself. Prior to the pandemic I worked remote but in a location less obsessed with productivity. I had flexibility to exercise in the middle of the day most days when my energy levels topped out and I was in the best shape of my life. Fast forward to now and infinite demand always likes to pretend everyone is somehow behind and I too let my reclaimed commute time slide. I've recaptured it, started exercising regularly again, and already feel great. This culture that obsesses with productivity generation for someone else above all else isn't healthy.
I'd rather walk to the lake and go for a swim during the afternoon, than walk to a train to walk to an office.
But if your excuses for wanting to drag people back into offices are that you cant walk on your own, dont have friends, cant play politics, cant hold remote conferences or online chats, then i am sorry but you are on your own. Too many have been conditioned to think that you need to sit in a building and slave away for a praise and a rushed holiday every now and then.
But what you're saying is also that those wanting to be at the office are friendless, need this as a substitute for a normal life etc. That's unnecessary, and just you being a total dick. Please present your arguments here in a better way.
> you're saying is also that those wanting to be at the office are friendless, need this as a substitute for a normal life etc
What did he characterize wrong?
>My personal observation is that most pro office folks are seeking to substitute gaps in their personal lives with onsite work. A drain on their coworkers to be frank. Lack of friends, proper housing, lack of exercise you name it. A tiring hindrance on those...
This is an unfair and spiteful characterisation of people who happen to have a different viewpoint than you. We can do better than that.
This requires some degree of motivation. When you had to go to the office you were forced to get dressed, get outside and travel etc. When you are WFH it is so tempting to get up late, get online, and stay comfortable. This is true even when you know what you are doing is unhealthy. It's similar to people eating a poor diet. They know they're doing it, they know it's bad, but it's hard to do the right thing (even when the right thing is relatively easy to do).
I say this as someone who loves WFH but also has fallen into a lot of bad habits that have definitely impacted my physical/mental health.
It's different. I may not enjoy being with people, but I like being around them. Maybe because Manhattan is just so different from everywhere else, and provides a special level of intensity.