I’m gonna work on being less condescending.
(Condescending means to talk down to people.)
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After two years of Covid, with «non-essential» people working from home (if at all), things are starting to return to normal. But are they? Some organizations want to try out home office or mobile work. After all, Covid has shown that it seems possible, and it it has advantages, why not provide that option.
On the plus side, I see the benefits. You save on travel time, gas (also a plus for the climate change faction), you can combine work with family (e.g., caring for children or invalids). Or for employers — not only energy costs, but also workplaces itself. After all, if someone only works in the office half a week, why shouldn’t this person share his desk with another worker. When their schedules contrast, it’s one desk for two. Keep a couple of flexidesks free in case both have to be at work at the same time.
So, yeah, there are some advantages.
But what are the costs?
What happens when people do not have a desk of their own? What happens when work shifts to open plan offices (easiest way to deal with flexible numbers of people at work). What happens if you take work home with you? What happens to those who want to go to work each and every day, when the part-office-workers are there only on a few days? Do they want to talk more? Would those who want to work in the office have to accept working at home to do at least some work in peace and quiet? And a bit closer to home — will universities apply for more and more projects, given that the need to provide the physical work infrastructure is reduced?
I’m not sure how it will turn out, but I’d recommend taking a close look — not only at the positive aspects, but also the downsides.
