Ask HN: Why do companies want us “back in office” despite productivity costs?

23 points

4 years ago

I might be too 'junior' to grok what goes behind the curtains. When I did a quick survey amongst my software friends, all of their workplaces have been pushing for bringing people back in offices. Some are a bit soft and coy about it ("From November, we will allow you to choose WFH for half the week!"), And some are straightforward "you have to".

In my workplace, the management itself reported high remote productivity. Despite this, we will be asked to work remotely only half the time. They even have a big new building in city center location.

Is it simply something cynical, e.g. Trying to hold on to prime real estate, or somplyyabout control? Or is there indeed legitimate net benefit to working in offices?

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