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Ask HN: Is remote work here forever?

My company has done what appears to be the standard for the non-faang company WFH until the end of the year.

My city has decided to build a road through my backyard, making me want to move. I have the gamble a bit, so looking for everyone’s opinions.

Has WFH hit the tipping point where it’s just the new normal, or should I expect to still need to remain in the Bay Area?

( 13 comments | 14 points | on HN )
Re:Ask HN: Is remote work here forever? by kgjhgkhkjh on Sunday June 21, 2020 @12:49PM (#23593182)
Yep. Companies are realizing the amount of money they can save , even the service companies which i thought would be the last one to do so https://www.businesstoday.in/current/corporate/post-coronavi...
Re:Ask HN: Is remote work here forever? by seanwilson on Sunday June 21, 2020 @12:54PM (#23593236)
I hope so for the planet at least. Millions of people driving to and from work every day in cases where it's not needed is such a waste of resources and time.
Re:Ask HN: Is remote work here forever? by some_furry on Saturday June 20, 2020 @07:15PM (#23588252)
I don't know, but I sure hope so!

I've worked remote for most of my career, and I've had a few bait-and-switches from companies where they'd promise "100% remote" until we get to the offer stage of the interview, then they'd say "actually we need you to move to $bigTechCity". (I don't want to move to an expensive city. I want to live in the home I'm paying a mortgage on.)

Re:Ask HN: Is remote work here forever? by maps7 on Saturday June 20, 2020 @07:22PM (#23588298)
I think there's a chance companies will slowly go back to office as normal instead of WFH. Just a suspicion though.

Off topic: Do you get paid for giving up some of your land/backyard?

Re:Ask HN: Is remote work here forever? by devchris10 on Sunday June 21, 2020 @11:40AM (#23592590)
For the most part yes.

Some companies realize remote working is good for their needs while others do not. Also, it obviously depends on whether a company is built looking at remote working as an option early on (Gitlab) or it has to experiment/transition its way there much later.

The pandemic has undoubtedly accelerated the consideration for companies in general, and I believe the number of companies favorable to remote work has risen.

Re:Ask HN: Is remote work here forever? by muzani on Sunday June 21, 2020 @07:41AM (#23591463)
Things have slowed down enough in my company that we're back in the office. WFH is sub optimal for a lot of people, especially senior programmers who also tend to have several kids, or those who can't afford a house that fits a computer desk.

However, in places like the US, it looks like the pandemic isn't going anywhere soon.

Re:Ask HN: Is remote work here forever? by s1t5 on Sunday June 21, 2020 @03:09AM (#23590415)
A number of companies have plans to return to the office between now and the beginning of next year. Best to check with your employer before making any lifechanging decisions but my impression is that remote work will simply be more accepted and common in the future, it won't be for everyone and forever.
Re:Ask HN: Is remote work here forever? by softsound on Sunday June 21, 2020 @01:57PM (#23593795)
As someone who works remote, I bet a lot of companies will see the benefits of it moreso this year then any other, they will also see all of the drawbacks. I think it will become more common in some areas that are fine with drawbacks though (generally companies that pay well anyway).
Re:Ask HN: Is remote work here forever? by radicalturkey on Monday June 22, 2020 @11:33PM (#23609655)
Yes. My uncle recently started working from home and it looks as though it is going to be a long term thing. It a a win win for both the employer and the employee in many cases.
Re:Ask HN: Is remote work here forever? by WheelsAtLarge on Saturday June 20, 2020 @10:48PM (#23589341)
I'm one that believes that there will not be a long term vaccine for Covid-19. We will need to get a shot every so often, at best, similar to the flu shot every year. Given the potential deadliness of the disease working from home will be here until we come up with a cure or a way to control it.

Will WFH be here forever? Probably not but it will be here for most of the working life of most people living today.

I also think that it will evolve into something different than the way it works now. Most people can't work from home and deal with the distractions. Something different will evolve but I don't really know what. Maybe something like WeWork but offices that can be disinfected on a per user basis.

Re:Ask HN: Is remote work here forever? by quietthrow on Saturday June 20, 2020 @07:25PM (#23588320)
Yes but it’s not binary as you or most people think today and it’s not because lack of intelligence or anything like that. it’s just that work has existed in a binary form largely since industrialized work was invented. The best way to think of the answer to your questions is that parts of “work” will become remote. Depending on the work for some it might be overnight. For some it will be over time. For some (people and companies)it will some part of their work (And their dependent supply chains and that too recursively). This is not going to be driven by people’s wants btw the way. Yes some part of it will be but large part of it will be due to efficiencies forced by a capitalist/for profit world we operatin. If you can provide a product or service x% cheaper while maintaining everything else equal you will, and it’s increases your margins(at best) and at worse it keeps you from going extinct as your competitors already do it.
Re:Ask HN: Is remote work here forever? by adityarao310 on Monday June 22, 2020 @10:35PM (#23609392)
Gradually, and then all of a sudden
Re:Ask HN: Is remote work here forever? by chmaynard on Saturday June 20, 2020 @07:13PM (#23588239)
Be patient. All will be revealed soon, grasshopper. :)