My recommondation for a Two Percent method to reduce the downside of commuting is to make it an active commute. Cycling or walking/jogging to or from work turns a commute from a drain to a benefit. And yes, I think it is worthwhile to prioritize this when selecting employment and living locations.
I started working remotely in 2010, and it was beneficial for my mental health with less stress and anxiety. I missed the social interactions at times, but I also got a lot more done since my time wasn't being wasted. It also made it easy to sneak away to bring my daughter to school, throw in a load of laundry, etc.
During covid, everyone was forced to work from home and it was then that the company realized that more work gets done and they save money. By the end of 2023, we no longer had a physical location. We have regular Teams meetings so now our water cooler talk is scheduled. I much prefer working from home, but I can also see how some may have trouble separating the two.
I have worked both in-person and remotely, for different companies, and I would choose remote every time.
When I worked in-person, my stress level was considerably higher. Commuting, wearing uncomfortable business-casual clothing, being stuck inside all day with limited opportunity for movement, having to deal with annoying or unpleasant co-workers, and just the general uncomfortableness of offices that are too hot and stuffy and have lights that make you want to scream...plus the stress of having to drive an hour home to pick up a sick kid at school, or being stuck working late and having to scramble to find someone to let the dog out so you don't come home to poop on the living room carpet....
I much prefer working at home, where I can wear comfortable clothing, I'm in control of my environment, I can take a break and go for a walk or do some pull-ups or a quick yoga practice to re-set my brain, and if I have to work late it's not so bad because I am already at home. Plus, I spend much less money on gas and car repairs, and I don't have to deal with packing a lunch.
It probably helps that I'm a bit of an introvert, and I have social things and connections outside of work. I do have friends who hated working at home and got depressed doing it, because they lived alone and work was their main form of social contact.
I used to commute 3 hours a day. This was before podcasts etc so the drive was boring. So I started working from home some days. My department chair and Dean didn’t approve. So they created my lecture schedule so I taught the first period and last period of the day. In other words I had to be in the office 10+ hours a day. So I quit and am much happier. I found a new job. I’m very social - meet with friends bw meetings and work during the day. Great post!
Well said. Thats why I'm now part-time at a university. Stepped back (way back) from administration and started a health/wellness research company. I love lecturing to the students, but I couldn't stand the meetings/bureaucracy. Time drain and emotional drain
With all due respect to others weighing in (because this affects everyone differently). But, as a distance learning instructor in my own case, I have felt the isolation that didn’t exist when I worked in person with others. We just need balance to this conversation because connecting with others is essential to our well being. And, remember…. “Doing the harder thing” can mean inconvenience and sacrifice. I resent throwing out entirely the journalism that prompted this. Really.
Excellent article. I have also seen a lot of research that shows that you have to offer at least a hybrid environment if you want to attract the best talent. I would argue that companies forcing in-person work also introduce the added stress of working with sub-tier talent. This is obviously a generalization and not meant to offend anyone.
I do believe that hybrid opportunities are probably the best balance overall.
My team recently moved from an office with wall to wall windows and a beautiful city view to an interior room with no windows. Combined with a 25% longer commute (2hr total daily) has remote work looking more appealing by the day.
I think the agency consideration is huge - What ability do I have to make choices and decisions for things that directly impact my life?
I’ve done remote work since 2016. I’m intentionally understanding of some of its limitations but its upsides far outweigh those progressions inside a corporation.
I have the time, space, and energy to write, play, create, and be social outside of the 9-5. The three components of structure that Sam laid out in this article are imperative for longevity in this work set up.
I wonder if those three NYTs writers hit “submit” on that article and then signed with dread at the thought of another commute home…
My recommondation for a Two Percent method to reduce the downside of commuting is to make it an active commute. Cycling or walking/jogging to or from work turns a commute from a drain to a benefit. And yes, I think it is worthwhile to prioritize this when selecting employment and living locations.
I started working remotely in 2010, and it was beneficial for my mental health with less stress and anxiety. I missed the social interactions at times, but I also got a lot more done since my time wasn't being wasted. It also made it easy to sneak away to bring my daughter to school, throw in a load of laundry, etc.
During covid, everyone was forced to work from home and it was then that the company realized that more work gets done and they save money. By the end of 2023, we no longer had a physical location. We have regular Teams meetings so now our water cooler talk is scheduled. I much prefer working from home, but I can also see how some may have trouble separating the two.
I have worked both in-person and remotely, for different companies, and I would choose remote every time.
When I worked in-person, my stress level was considerably higher. Commuting, wearing uncomfortable business-casual clothing, being stuck inside all day with limited opportunity for movement, having to deal with annoying or unpleasant co-workers, and just the general uncomfortableness of offices that are too hot and stuffy and have lights that make you want to scream...plus the stress of having to drive an hour home to pick up a sick kid at school, or being stuck working late and having to scramble to find someone to let the dog out so you don't come home to poop on the living room carpet....
I much prefer working at home, where I can wear comfortable clothing, I'm in control of my environment, I can take a break and go for a walk or do some pull-ups or a quick yoga practice to re-set my brain, and if I have to work late it's not so bad because I am already at home. Plus, I spend much less money on gas and car repairs, and I don't have to deal with packing a lunch.
It probably helps that I'm a bit of an introvert, and I have social things and connections outside of work. I do have friends who hated working at home and got depressed doing it, because they lived alone and work was their main form of social contact.
I used to commute 3 hours a day. This was before podcasts etc so the drive was boring. So I started working from home some days. My department chair and Dean didn’t approve. So they created my lecture schedule so I taught the first period and last period of the day. In other words I had to be in the office 10+ hours a day. So I quit and am much happier. I found a new job. I’m very social - meet with friends bw meetings and work during the day. Great post!
The job of university administrators, in my experience, is to mummify good ideas in red tape.
Well said. Thats why I'm now part-time at a university. Stepped back (way back) from administration and started a health/wellness research company. I love lecturing to the students, but I couldn't stand the meetings/bureaucracy. Time drain and emotional drain
With all due respect to others weighing in (because this affects everyone differently). But, as a distance learning instructor in my own case, I have felt the isolation that didn’t exist when I worked in person with others. We just need balance to this conversation because connecting with others is essential to our well being. And, remember…. “Doing the harder thing” can mean inconvenience and sacrifice. I resent throwing out entirely the journalism that prompted this. Really.
Excellent article. I have also seen a lot of research that shows that you have to offer at least a hybrid environment if you want to attract the best talent. I would argue that companies forcing in-person work also introduce the added stress of working with sub-tier talent. This is obviously a generalization and not meant to offend anyone.
I do believe that hybrid opportunities are probably the best balance overall.
My team recently moved from an office with wall to wall windows and a beautiful city view to an interior room with no windows. Combined with a 25% longer commute (2hr total daily) has remote work looking more appealing by the day.
I think the agency consideration is huge - What ability do I have to make choices and decisions for things that directly impact my life?
I’ve done remote work since 2016. I’m intentionally understanding of some of its limitations but its upsides far outweigh those progressions inside a corporation.
I have the time, space, and energy to write, play, create, and be social outside of the 9-5. The three components of structure that Sam laid out in this article are imperative for longevity in this work set up.
I wonder if those three NYTs writers hit “submit” on that article and then signed with dread at the thought of another commute home…
I worked in academia for 7 years. Most academics work a hybrid schedule, coming into the university only when they need to teach.