Hidden (not so hidden) reasons for tech companies to adapt WFH (happily) post-pandemic?

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xTechLead

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xTechLead
May 24, 2020 13 Comments

I am pondering around the eagerness I see in some of the tech companies in enabling WFH even after pandemic dust settle down.

Dorsey is happy about extending WFH throughout the year, then forever; looked somehow reasonable to me initially.
Now Zuck picks up the trail and planning to go fully blown WFH in coming years. This pattern somehow troubles me.
Why? I don't think it is due to Pandemic or any kind of prevention, rather it seems they found some hidden gems in WFH setup and they are happy to exploit it. Some I could think of are,

1. Low real estate related expenses
2. Longer working hours (especially engineers)
3. More throughput, because of item 2
4. Pay cut for whoever moving outside of prime areas like bay area
5. High Productivity/Pay ratio, because of items 2, 3 and 4

I am neither supporting Twitter nor picking-up on Facebook. Just Two examples..

I am afraid that, if other companies started to follow the same idea, then engineers would end up working more for less pay.
What do you guys(gender neutral) think?

#remotework #wfh #facebook #twitter

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TOP 13 Comments
  • C2FO
    sudo fu

    Go to company page C2FO

    sudo fu
    One reason I can think of is being remote allows them to get engineers from abroad. They'll work harder and relatively lesser pay.
    May 25, 2020 1
  • I don’t agree that productivity increases with remote work. It is a tried tested and failed idea at many companies.
    Why fb did it? My guess is, they expect covid to be around for over 1.5 years. So fb can save money with remote work till then. After that, dip in productivity will be visible, they plan to handle it then.
    May 24, 2020 0
  • It's a win-win all around.
    May 24, 2020 0
  • Apple
    port179

    Go to company page Apple

    port179
    Save money on food, real estate, law suits ( if employees sue for getting infection). This will go on till we have vaccine..
    May 26, 2020 0
  • HBO
    It’s TV

    Go to company page HBO

    BIO
    Username is an insult for Jonah Ryan (Veep!) that didn’t make it to air.
    It’s TV
    It’s about competing for talent. If remote is viewed as a perk this will be how companies try to edge out competing offers.

    Same money or slightly more, plus remote.

    Plus, now you can hire mediocre engineers from anywhere, not just SF.
    May 25, 2020 0