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Comment by jrumbut | Hacker News Reader

No one from September 2019 would believe you if you told them about the work from home policies in place right now for millions of people who were expected to be seated at their desk at 9:00 (or 8:30) until 5:00 three years ago.

The world isn't static, tradeoffs can change.

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> No one from September 2019 would believe you if you told them about the work from home policies in place right now for millions of people who were expected to be seated at their desk at 9:00 (or 8:30) until 5:00 three years ago

There were lots of us who couldn't believe that so many employees had to be at a desk from 9 - 5 in industries where it made very little sense.

yes but it took millions of people discussing and organizing with their coworkers and pushing back on their employers in various ways to earn it as solidly as it's been. it doesn't just change with the wind or only because employers change their minds about environmental factors

I think part of OP's point is that there would be tradeoffs. Reducing work hours by 1/5th will reduce work output by some large fraction of that. Companies would have to compensate for that by hiring more employees or reducing their products or services, either of which will tend to increase prices. Price increases or wage cuts would cause people who are in constrained financial situations to have to look for a 2nd job, thereby negating the effect of the policy. Sure things can change, but there are underlying realities which constrain how they can change.

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