Microsoft announces work from home until October (globally) 🀯😱

May 4, 2020 47 Comments

Honestly dont know how I feel about this. Between Amazon WFH until October and Microsoft WFH until October I feel like all of the Greater Seattle Area is gonna be cooped up in their homes for this whole year. Thoughts?

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TOP 47 Comments
  • Did you think that we'd go back to the office before Amazon?
    May 4, 2020 10
  • Companies are saving a lot of money because the offices are empty - no electricity charges , no internet etc - overall cost of running office is close to 0
    May 4, 2020 4
    • Microsoft / Eng
      Summer2k20

      Go to company page Microsoft Eng

      Summer2k20
      There are still regulations to keep the HVAC running often enough to keep flushing out the air to maintain a certain degree of air "worthiness"

      Maintenance teams are still doing the HVAC shifts to keep the workplace ready if we were to go back in. Op cost is still the same or no big difference.
      May 10, 2020
    • Amazon
      6ixbuzz

      Go to company page Amazon

      6ixbuzz
      Internet is definitely not turned off
      May 16, 2020
  • The minute the US govt gives companies blanket protections against Covid lawsuits, we are all going back to the office. Count on it.
    May 4, 2020 6
    • Maybe you're right, although I'm fairly sure there are cutthroat companies on the east coast too (even though I haven't worked in one here and only did in Silicon Valley)
      May 5, 2020
    • Microsoft / Product
      looking?

      Go to company page Microsoft Product

      PRE
      Amazon
      looking?
      No I think re4ft is right. It’s not some charity from the companies. It’s a cost benefit analysis. The cost is pretty minimal (might even save money) but reduces sick leave substantially.

      Think about it. Why do they give free flu shots? Is it because they’re so concerned with global health and well-being? Hell no. It’s because they looked at the cost of shots vs the cost of lost revenue from people being sick. It’s an easy calc.

      Same thing happening here. The infection rate is MONSTROUS. So many people would be out sick. Now everyone is working from home and the company is being β€œso flexible” but our Calvinist worth ethic makes us kill ourselves for the company. Even if you do get sick while working from home, you’ll keep working unless you need to go to the hospital.

      They’re lowering the chance you’ll get sick and raising the chance that you’ll still work even if you do get sick.

      It’s a smart business move.

      Now that said, I’m glad Microsoft has seen the light on being very flexible for families. Everyone on my team who has to juggle child care during the day, now puts in hours at night so really I think they’re doing MORE work than before. I’ve had to talk to my team and get them to tone it down a bit because I think it’ll be bad for long term mental health to be burning the candle at both ends like that.
      May 8, 2020
  • I know you live in your own little tech world but Amazon and Microsoft workers combined probably make up no more than 5% of the greater Seattle area.
    May 4, 2020 4
  • Typical for Microsoft to follow in Amazon’s steps.
    May 4, 2020 1