Facebook Shifting Employees Away From Office to Home Working

[engine]

The news that Facebook is looking to move many of its employees from office-based to home working is no surprise. What's interesting is how that might be in the minds of many businesses as a permanent way forward, even after this covid-19 pandemic subsides.

[theverge.com...]

[Mark_A]

I have been WFH (working from home) for 9 weeks now, I am getting used to it, and it seems to be ok. For most of my work all I need is a laptop, broadband and a mobile phone and I am good to go.

[not2easy]

I've read (paywall, no link) that this can mean lower pay but without the expenses of a commute most people will trade comfort and time shifting for lower pay and casual dress. For many it means not paying extra for child care as well.

[Marshall]

I have been working from home for years. I no longer drive 2,000 miles a month, maybe 300. My car insurance was reduced by 20% as a result. I always had to wear a suit and tie, now it is jeans and a t-shirt. Working at home does save money, I am proof of that. And you tend to eat less junk food. Though I do miss my morning stops at Dunk'n Donuts.

[engine]

There could be some bargains for office space coming up.

One of the key aspects of working in an office is the camaraderie and team building. That will be missed.

[tangor]

From an infrastructure point of view this reduces building, utility, etc costs at the company level. The employee already has those expenses at home.

The "camaraderie" aspect might be another reason to "send 'em home" ... that way no organizing, etc, can take place. :)

Diversity can be whatever is claimed since there will be no way to walk among cubicles and "face count" the diversity.

On site worker liabilities (OSHA, etc) will disappear.

Won't be any watercooler conferencing.

I can see MANY pluses for management to keep their workers at home.

[ronin]

Not before time.

Broadband had largely replaced dial-up by 2002-03.

This could have happened 15 years ago if more managers in 2005 had been a bit more forward thinking.

[JorgeV]

Hello,

This is an opportunity to cut cost drastically, like @tangor said. Companies would need less office, will consume less electricity, etc...

Also, I bet that, people working from home, will be subject to work "longer". Whenyou are at home, you don't necessarily start "xx am" and stop straight at "yy pm", you'll work outside of business hours too, and week-end.

[lucy24]

Broadband had largely replaced dial-up by 2002-03.

Fine, if you’re in Europe or a densely populated area. But in many parts of North America, “broadband” means satellite, which can’t be used for much more than, well, reading message boards.

[topr8]

what about when home workers start to get charged business rates for the part of their home that is being used as a business?

for businesses the advantage of home workers is requiring smaller office space - which saves on many things, including business property taxes - business rates in the uk.

locaul authorities will have to make up the shortfall in taxes somehow ... ergo, workers at home will have to pay!