I was working remote for a few years prior to COVID, and will be the first to admit that there were some situations and circumstances that would have been resolved more easily/efficiently in person. Post-COVID, I think the remote work force has been able to sustain largely because most people have been working with others they already know from the office, and because they all view their remote circumstances as being temporary with a view to returning to the office at some point.
My personal observation is that while it's not impossible, integrating new people into an organization is more difficult without meeting in person and I think it remains to be seen how organizational cohesion is built and sustained as the workforce experiences diminishing degrees of in-person contact.
I think too many in senior management are going to look at remote productivity and conclude they can eliminate office space, but that conclusion will be based on a remote workforce that already knew each other, not on a future remote workforce that has never worked together in person.
agreed.
Interesting perspective on established vs new employees. Agree that a new employee would be at a disadvantage.
I think a hybrid model, where employees who can function while working remotely (not managers, directors, etc) work a day or two remotely and the rest of the time in the office is the best of both worlds. But in order to gain the benefit of a downsized office the work spaces would have to be shared. Brings up the need for a higher level of cleaning than most cleaning contractors are providing.
Another option would be to let process-intensive positions (e.g. AP processors, procurement) work remotely 100%, with knowledge workers in the office.
It’ll be interesting to see what companies decide.