Who is back in the office? (Boston, Cambridge: job openings, housing, earnings)

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by yesmaybe

Convincing people to quit is cheaper than layoffs. Severance, Unemployment Tax goes up, etc.

Funny you say that. I worked for a company that had a presence in Chelmsford. It was well known that a lot of our factory workforce commuted there from far south along 495, and some even from RI. When the company got bought, the new owners looked for different sites to expand. They had a choice of moving to Acton (which would have been more convenient for a big chunk of the factory workforce) or Haverhill.

Guess where they ended up going? Rumor had it that, this was a subtle way of the new ownership getting rid of the "old guard".

[simplexsimon]

Originally Posted by bostongymjunkie

Interesting piece on WFH:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/mark...9b08d9ee&ei=39

The economic blogger Kevin Drum, formerly of Mother Jones, has taken note of the increasing anti-remote literature and is making a bold prediction about the future of work: there is none. It’s not going to look much different than it’s ever looked. That’s because the remote work revolution just isn’t going to materialize.

Interesting take although it doesn't seem like employers agree - the ones that used to occupy downtown office space anyways. Valuations of those buildings are way way down.

I do agree with a couple of the points.

[BostonMike7]

I get the strong vibe from upper management here at my own company that they do not want remote work any longer and prefer folks be in office.

Of course, middle management thinks this is silly, but what can we do?

But yeah...the trend here at my office seems to be to bring more and more folks back and discourage hybrid work. Occasional WFH as needed still seems to be acceptable fortunately.

[simplexsimon]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

I get the strong vibe from upper management here at my own company that they do not want remote work any longer and prefer folks be in office.

Of course, middle management thinks this is silly, but what can we do?

But yeah...the trend here at my office seems to be to bring more and more folks back and discourage hybrid work. Occasional WFH as needed still seems to be acceptable fortunately.

My company just committed to move to a smaller office space in downtown for 8-10 years so hybrid's being promised in that sense.

[yesmaybe]

Originally Posted by simplexsimon

My company just committed to move to a smaller office space in downtown for 8-10 years so hybrid's being promised in that sense.

Or layoffs

[simplexsimon]

Originally Posted by yesmaybe

Or layoffs

Certainly possible but unlikely under current management. We're occupying maybe 40% of our current space and with the move would be occupying closer to 70%.

[BostonMike7]

Not sure if company structure has anything to do with that shift in policy.

We are a R&D/Manufacturing company, so a good chunk of the folks need to be in office. The push to get folks back in office extends to those supporting roles that don't need to be in office. For example we might have a meeting with 10 people and 6-8 are in office and attend in person and 1-2 call in because they are remote/hybrid.

I have my own opinions on if that model is working effectively for me.

[newenglandgal123]

When numbers are down and we're in a recession of course company executives are going to want to see butts in chairs again. They need to make sure folks are working in the office instead of at home.....mowing their lawns

[bostongymjunkie]

Originally Posted by simplexsimon

The economic blogger Kevin Drum, formerly of Mother Jones, has taken note of the increasing anti-remote literature and is making a bold prediction about the future of work: there is none. It’s not going to look much different than it’s ever looked. That’s because the remote work revolution just isn’t going to materialize.

Interesting take although it doesn't seem like employers agree - the ones that used to occupy downtown office space anyways. Valuations of those buildings are way way down.

I do agree with a couple of the points.

Good points you make. Wonder if they are just shifting to less expensive digs?

[jayrandom]

Originally Posted by bostongymjunkie

Good points you make. Wonder if they are just shifting to less expensive digs?

Smaller is less expensive. I have a friend who moved out of their massive and gorgeous Seaport headquarters with the thought to maybe get something a lot smaller and more modest…at some point.

The possibility of remote work is a major benefit and will be a differentiator for employers who can manage it well. Lots of companies only need workers that are essentially interchangeable and may be willing to take the talent hit that being excessively strict about return to office will naturally bring. Others need the best employees and will be happy to have them even if it means they have to let them work how they want to work.