Remote working - the future?

tooth*grinder wrote: »

not to mention the GDPR and the whole exporting of EU data to places that don't have a comparable level of data security.

I have no intention of going back to an office. There is absolutely no need for it in my current role. Saving 400 quid a month in transportation costs so will have no problem looking for another role with less money to stay remote.

I'm part of wave one in the company I work for, they've cancelled the 2nd wave because of the rise in cases but I am happy to go into the office two days a week and work the rest remotely. Could I work remotely full time, yes quite happily but this hybrid arrangement is really good as it helps break up the week, see some colleagues and still get work done as not everyone is back in the office.

Hybrid is the way forward.

Its only a matter of time until we have 4 day work weeks ;)

Maybe.

A recently advertised job in EA Games ( so not an old fashioned company) said something like:

Agreement to long term WFH will require you to relocate to within 50 miles of our Galway or <<American city>> offices, before starting work.

As it stands relocation within the same country is theoretically possible in respect of employment law and tax implications. Remote working in another jurisdiction is another story completely. Unless you can harmonise employment law and tax implications in all jurisdictions, this will not happen for employees. Should people wish to become self employed/contractor then this would not be an issue.

For those who's skills are in demand they will be able to dictate to a large degree their working conditions in terms of location (special arrangements will be made for these people). In the general workforce these numbers would be in the extreme minority probably less than 20% of this type of worker.

For the majority of people it will be the companies who ultimately decide where and how people work. For those companies who are unwilling to offer flexibility to their staff these companies will ultimately lose the best of their staff.

There are IT security issues for small firms and working from home. Some small firms don't have the network security capabilities to allow remote working full time. Obviously this may change in time but I don't personally see it as a priority at the moment. Even from a cultural perspective we have this need to be "seen in the office" and this is enough to show we are working.

Certainly the pandemic will improve the work like balance of some people (and wont make it any worse than it was pre pandemic for others) I think some people may be in for a shock post pandemic (eg those who would like either full time working from home or a hybrid model) if their employers want them back full time in the office.

People will need to make some decisions for their future work arrangements if this includes securing alternative employment which includes a better work like balance.

Yeah regarding having a presence in another jurisdiction you can be employed in the company in that jurisdiction.

The majority of employers in Ireland don't have offices in other jurisdictions.

That would not surprise me. I know of at least one person who could and probably should retire but admitted he wants to stay working in the office as long as possible to stay away from the wife.

The office is many people's main social outlet, especially so for those who do very little work. A place to show off your new clothes and hairdo, chat, bitch, drink tea and avail of free biscuits, teabags, heat, toilet roll and internet.

Nphet to disband in October as employees expected to return to office from September

Back to office 13th September. I hope some good has come of this past 18 months and there is still mass WFH by choice. This article suggests this isnt a consideration but perhaps the guidance on Tuesday will advise employers to allow WFH where it is working well.

It does stop a degree of the casual, unforced interaction that happens in corridors, at the water cooler, over coffee, the informal chats overheard and joined.

There may be a degree of that, but there are also people for whom home is not a safe space, not safe from mental or physical abuse from a partner or a parent or housemate. The physical work location provides a degree of escape for some people. Mandatory WFH has taken this away.

Nonsense: It has heaps to do with enforced WFH, which is what we have experienced so far.