Due to this all corporations will and are going to try to “control” ppl simply because most of them cannot control themselves.
Tho I would say overall in any field its pretty much one of the most important skills/or in life generally.
My commute without delays and everything is on time is about 1hour and 25 mins.. with delays.. you can see how this easily can get close to 2 hours.. delays no transport in the UK.. are almost daily.. it's the only thing they do consistently.
"Let's be 100% honest: you did not spend 4 hours a day commuting pre-WFH. You just didn't." - This comment tells me you're either lucky enough not to have to commute in a big city.. or are rich enough to live in the city you work in.
Home <-> Walk <-> train(euston) <-> walk <-> tube <-> walk <-> work
Time required if everything work correctly
~ 1h 10m to work
~ 1h 30m from work, (more since you dont want to miss the train)
Now, a single cancelled/missed train for me is +30m, happened at least once a week due to faulty train etc.
In addition, these things happen all the time:
Is the tube delayed today causing me to miss my train? +30m
Is it hot summer week? expect almost everyday to be cancellations of 1h+++
Someone trespassing/ hit by train, cancellations of 1h+++
Signalling problem, cancellation of 1h+++
Fire next to track cancellation of 3h+++
plus more Many days I have spent more than 4hrs just to get home.
Now this 2h 40m commute easily averages out to 4h
Just take a look at this:
10min walk to the station
5min wait for the train
1h 5min travel time
10min walk to the office
+
10min walk to the station
around 15min wait for the train
1h 5min travel time
10min walk to the home
the only thing you can argue is
>around 15min wait for the train
2. I would contest that with sufficient quality screen share this simply so marginal it's dismissable
3. This makes several assumptions about personality and socialising and isn't always the case. Forcing people to see each other does not create social closeness. Sustaining good friendships over instant message is very much the norm. I think occasional in person meetings or, more deliberate collaborative effort if fully remote can create this just fine.
4. Distractions in the office, drive bys, noise of neighbours and even digital distraction vs a small degree of self discipline (using one monitor, phone on dnd can help too) ... I dont buy this at all.
5. See above - if you have children then that is understandable, however I would wager that correct work/play time separation is whats needed here.
6. I can claim some of my electricity cost as work expenses and the food on my commute and at work is incredibly overpriced. I typically prepare food at home. Being at home more i'm now not restricted to whatever carries well in a tupperware.
7. Arguing that a routine needs to be made for you instead of creating your own isnt a valid reason. Self discipline.
8. Discipline and routine also addresses the last point, but I will concede its easier to manage.
To outline the competitive advantage FOR working at home. In addition to the above I gain:
Custom desk, my high quality office chair vastly superior to corporate stock, custom office space, custom lighting temperature and air flow.
Control of noise levels
Total control of distractions
I save 4 hours a day lost to transport being forced to listen to podcasts and have more meaningful work and play time as a result.
I save substantial money on transport
No social guidelines, I can have what I want on the radio/TV if I wish.
I can wear more comfortable clothes and save money on laundering work clothes
I can exercise more freely and easily
I can work in line with the ebb and flow of my conciousness and not when someone else demands it - and am subatantially more productive.
My deliveries no longer go missing
My home is tidier
I dont have to use a disgusting corporate bathroom
I dont get sick anymore
My carbon footprint is close to zero
My mental health has improved substantially
I think that mostly covers it