My small company has an office in a coworking space that's about a 1.5 hour train commute for me. I don't go in much, but when I do, I have a great time. Some excellent conversation and product discussion happens there. I even go into a closer coworking space in my city a few times a week (typing from there).
All that said, working from home is so awesome. I'm more productive, have no commute, and get to do things like take care of background tasks like laundry and start my workouts at a reasonable hour after work.
Hybrid is a comfortable spot for me.
Re:WFH is becoming a benefit again
by biophysboy on Thursday March 19, 2026 @11:03AM
(#47440714)
I think the perfect set-up is hybrid, with 1-2 days office / 3-4 days home. Virtual meetings are significantly worse than in-person. But obviously the commute determines whether this is "on net" worthwhile.
Re:WFH is becoming a benefit again
by darkstar999 on Thursday March 19, 2026 @11:05AM
(#47440736)
> Virtual meetings are significantly worse than in-person
The problem is that "in-person" meetings are still Zoom calls for those that didn't come in, so it's the worst of both worlds.
My team has at least one person in every continent (except Africa and the Antarctic, but we do have someone on Réunion), so meetings are and will always be video conferences.
Re:WFH is becoming a benefit again
by biophysboy on Thursday March 19, 2026 @11:10AM
(#47440817)
That's definitely true - ideally, there would be one day where almost everyone comes in for the all-hands meeting. Whether that is realistic depends..
I have a long commute to get to an office where everyone is wearing noise cancelling headphones for meetings...
Re:WFH is becoming a benefit again
by biophysboy on Thursday March 19, 2026 @11:16AM
(#47440925)
Ha! That seems like a waste. As I said, commute time determines whether its worth it.
Same. It's been 6 years of "work from home", starting mid-March 2020.
It has become very, very old.
I would love to find a local startup that embraces hybrid work.
i am guessing you dont have kids. i get extra 2 hrs with my son that wouldnt trade for anything.
Re:WFH is becoming a benefit again
by blakblakarak on Thursday March 19, 2026 @11:34AM
(#47441229)
My kids are 12 and 13 - wfh was is getting very old for me, especially during the school holidays when I’m constantly in ‘dad mode’. Don’t get me wrong - I love them with all my soul but sometimes I really want a break.
I have kids and would prefer to work in-office or hybrid. There's lots of reasons people might want that.
Re:WFH is becoming a benefit again
by harryquach on Thursday March 19, 2026 @11:19AM
(#47440977)
Agreed, over the last 6 years I have been able to spend lots of time with my two kids. Would not trade that for anything.
My pipe dream for the future of work is it's remote by default with in-office being a decision that's made at a team level. Ideally there would be no hard requirement to come to the office X days per week, it would be a team coming together and saying "hey, how about we all go into the office on Tuesday to collaborate on this thing" (this assumes buy in from the entire team).