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A comment on Google pays $250M for Sunnyvale offices where 3,000 could work.

Re:Google pays $250M for Sunnyvale offices where 3,000 could... by b212 on Thursday March 17, 2016 @05:10AM (#11303295)
I find it crazy how the big IT companies are still willing to pay almost a million a worker per office (most likely much more if you count running costs), any idea why Google is not hiring more people remotely? I mean, if that's a modern IT company that cares for employees it would be the case, I'd rather make $100k in different state or even country, than pay $5k for rent in the bay...
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Re:Google pays $250M for Sunnyvale offices where 3,000 could... by roel_v on Thursday March 17, 2016 @05:22AM (#11303330)
First, 250m for 3000 ppl is 100k/worker.

Secondly, buying a building is (save some closing and renovation costs) a neutral operation on your balance sheet, especially if you're flush with cash. In other words, when you buy a building, it maintains its value.

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Re:Google pays $250M for Sunnyvale offices where 3,000 could... by smitherfield on Thursday March 17, 2016 @07:26AM (#11303694)
Yes, and a company with as much cash as Google can finance at near-zero interest nowadays. (Not sure if they did, but they could).
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Re:Google pays $250M for Sunnyvale offices where 3,000 could... by amelius on Thursday March 17, 2016 @07:59AM (#11303804)
> when you buy a building, it maintains its value

Historically, there have been lots of empty offices during economic crises.

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Re:Google pays $250M for Sunnyvale offices where 3,000 could... by roel_v on Thursday March 17, 2016 @08:20AM (#11303889)
Still doesn't make it a 'cost' of 100k / employee. And of course you depreciate etc. My point was that buying a building isn't a 'cost' in the way pencils are.
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Re:Google pays $250M for Sunnyvale offices where 3,000 could... by cybette on Thursday March 17, 2016 @08:59AM (#11304033)
While it's not a million a worker, I think providing and even promoting remote working can be beneficial overall. I work remotely and it saves money for both me and my company. There's also less stress associated with commuting. Remote work is not for everyone (nor possible for all job functions), but companies and employees should give it more consideration. https://remote.co/10-stats-about-remote-work/
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