2023 Real Estate Observations (Boston, Worcester, Chelmsford: cell phone, equipment, policy)

[newenglandgal123]

Originally Posted by simplexsimon

Sure but it doesn’t mean they are “sheep” for not wanting to be laid off.

I can respect that they don't want to be laid off, but going into the office just to show face when there is no mandate with the hope that it's going to protect your position (a position that may already be on the chopping block) seems like sheeple behavior to me.

[yesmaybe]

Originally Posted by newenglandgal123

I'm guessing the ones who got cut will be happier once they find a new company where they can continue WFH.

Or they will end up having to move. Which might be tough if your mortgage is under water.

Looked at recent sales and there is still quite a lot of places going above asking... and we are talking about bad commute towns.

[msRB311]

Yes let's all work in an office and live right around Boston.

[newenglandgal123]

Originally Posted by yesmaybe

Or they will end up having to move. Which might be tough if your mortgage is under water.

Looked at recent sales and there is still quite a lot of places going above asking... and we are talking about bad commute towns.

Well, it's safe to say most people aren't under water then, right?! I mean I've only come across a few where people overbid by like $100+k list in 2021 or 2022 and now they're trying to sell like a year or less later and having to do price reductions for less than what they paid. Very few, but they are out there.

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by newenglandgal123

Wow, wonder why some people like being in office so much? I mean if you can WFH and still have people interactions and be productive, why such love for RTO? Maybe some people need face time every. single. day. Seems crazy to me.

I don't know how to explain it. I like being out of the house, especially once winter rolls around. I enjoy grabbing my coffee, the drive in, and interacting with coworkers face-to-face.

I'm WFH today, but it almost seems like a hassle for me. I'm sending teams chats and have a few meetings but would rather be in office with my team directing them on a few critical projects. I feel like i can't do that as effectively from home when there is a hands-on technical problem. I'm the most experienced member of the team so it can be frustrating when i have solutions to problems but need to explain it over a call. Just easier to roll up my sleeves and teach in person

But that's just me. But i was never given any directive to force people back into the office and I personally have nothing against it, nor would push my feelings on others. The layoffs we had did not target WFO people at all. QUite the opposite actually.

[simplexsimon]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

I don't know how to explain it. I like being out of the house, especially once winter rolls around. I enjoy grabbing my coffee, the drive in, and interacting with coworkers face-to-face.

I'm WFH today, but it almost seems like a hassle for me. I'm sending teams chats and have a few meetings but would rather be in office with my team directing them on a few critical projects. I feel like i can't do that as effectively from home when there is a hands-on technical problem. I'm the most experienced member of the team so it can be frustrating when i have solutions to problems but need to explain it over a call. Just easier to roll up my sleeves and teach in person

But that's just me. But i was never given any directive to force people back into the office and I personally have nothing against it, nor would push my feelings on others. The layoffs we had did not target WFO people at all. QUite the opposite actually.

I'm similar in that I don't mind the commute, listening to podcasts or music while on the train, and doing the 5-10 minute walk to the office and seeing people in the city and feeling the energy. Actually being in the office is good only when other people are in there, which companies are starting to learn and why they're mandating certain days.

I find that cross-functional projects involving people with different WFH arrangements actually drags the projects on a little bit longer, since meetings are more difficult to schedule and decisions get delayed if not everyone is on at the same time. Those catch-up talks that happen right after a meeting have gone way down as well.

[newenglandgal123]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

I don't know how to explain it. I like being out of the house, especially once winter rolls around. I enjoy grabbing my coffee, the drive in, and interacting with coworkers face-to-face.

I'm WFH today, but it almost seems like a hassle for me. I'm sending teams chats and have a few meetings but would rather be in office with my team directing them on a few critical projects. I feel like i can't do that as effectively from home when there is a hands-on technical problem. I'm the most experienced member of the team so it can be frustrating when i have solutions to problems but need to explain it over a call. Just easier to roll up my sleeves and teach in person

But that's just me. But i was never given any directive to force people back into the office and I personally have nothing against it, nor would push my feelings on others. The layoffs we had did not target WFO people at all. QUite the opposite actually.

I hope none of you WFO crowd are using company laptops and computers to post on city data all day. It will certainly negate any showing face efforts to secure your position from a lay off lol

[simplexsimon]

Originally Posted by newenglandgal123

I hope none of you WFO crowd are using company laptops and computers to post on city data all day. It will certainly negate any showing face efforts to secure your position from a lay off lol

What if I said I can do both very well?

[newenglandgal123]

Originally Posted by simplexsimon

What if I said I can do both very well?

If you're using company laptop/computer to post on city data I'll have to assume you're the IT manager or someone who thinks they can hide their tracks from IT. Otherwise, anyone would be a fool to do so and not expect to have that potentially used against you at some point, esp if the company is looking to make easy cuts.

[simplexsimon]

Originally Posted by newenglandgal123

If you're using company laptop/computer to post on city data I'll have to assume you're the IT manager or someone who thinks they can hide their tracks from IT. Otherwise, anyone would be a fool to do so and not expect to have that potentially used against you at some point, esp if the company is looking to make easy cuts.

No argument from me.